If hail or wind damaged your home in Dallas or the Collin County suburbs, the claim usually comes down to three questions: how many roof slopes the insurer counts as damaged, how your percentage deductible is calculated, and whether the estimate prices the materials your roof and your HOA actually require. We review the claim at no cost, inspect the property, write a line-by-line Xactimate estimate, and negotiate with the carrier.
Our office is in Belton. We travel to Dallas, Plano, Frisco, McKinney and the rest of the area to inspect each property in person.
Why hail is the claim most North Texas owners file
North Texas sits in the hail corridor that runs through the middle of the state, and spring storms regularly cross the metro and its northern suburbs. Hail rarely damages only the roof. A typical storm also dents gutters, downspouts and roof vents, shreds window screens, flattens the fins on outdoor AC condensers, chips paint and siding, and marks wood fences and garage doors. Those smaller items are often left off a first estimate, and on a claim near the deductible they make the difference.
Much of the housing in Frisco, McKinney, Prosper and Allen is newer construction with architectural laminated shingles on a roof that is still the original install. On a younger roof, the argument is usually not about age or wear. It is about count: the insurer's adjuster marks a few test squares, finds fewer hits than required, and writes a repair of two or three slopes. We document every slope, the soft metals on each side of the house, and the direction of the storm so the hit pattern makes sense. Our guide to how insurers evaluate hail damage explains the test-square method.
Do the deductible math before you decide anything
A wind and hail deductible written as a percentage is based on your dwelling coverage (Coverage A), not on the size of the loss. Look on your declarations page for a line labeled "Wind/Hail" or "Windstorm or Hail." Here is what common percentages mean in dollars:
| Dwelling coverage | 1% deductible | 2% deductible |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| $450,000 | $4,500 | $9,000 |
| $600,000 | $6,000 | $12,000 |
On a $600,000 home with a 2% deductible, a carrier estimate of $11,000 pays nothing. A full estimate that includes the whole roof, gutters, AC fins, fence staining and painting can look very different. Before deciding a claim isn't worth it, get the full scope written, not a quick look from the ground.
Class 4 shingles: the discount and the fine print
Many North Texas homeowners have switched to impact-resistant shingles rated Class 4 under UL 2218, and many insurers offer a premium discount for them. Two things to know:
- Class 4 does not mean hail-proof. Large hail can still fracture the mat, crack the shingle, or knock granules loose. The damage is often subtler to spot, so the inspection has to be closer.
- Read the endorsements that came with the discount. Some policies add a cosmetic damage exclusion or an actual cash value roof schedule. If yours did, the dispute becomes whether the damage is functional. See cosmetic vs. functional hail damage.
If your roof is Class 4, the replacement estimate should price Class 4 shingles, not a standard laminate. Keep the original installation invoice or product documentation; it is the simplest proof of what was on the house.
HOA neighborhoods and matching
Many subdivisions in Plano, Frisco, McKinney and Rockwall have deed restrictions requiring a uniform roof color and style. When the insurer approves only some slopes, and the original shingle is discontinued or has weathered to a different shade, the repaired roof may not satisfy the HOA.
Texas has no statute that forces an insurer to pay for matching. What matters is your policy's wording, such as "like kind and quality," and the facts. An HOA rule does not by itself obligate the carrier, but a written notice from the architectural committee and evidence that the shingle is unavailable both support a request for full replacement. Our article on matching and roof replacement in Texas goes deeper.
The other North Texas claim: frozen pipes
Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 showed how many homes here run water lines through attics and exterior walls. When a frozen line splits, water comes through the ceiling, soaks insulation and drywall, and often runs into lower floors. These claims are usually about whether the discharge was sudden and accidental, how far the water traveled, and whether the policy limits mold. Document the break, keep the plumber's invoice and the mitigation company's moisture logs. Our water damage claims page covers the process.
What to do after a hail or wind storm in Dallas or Collin County
- Write down the date and time. Neighbors' reports and NOAA storm data help establish which storm caused the damage, especially in a season with several.
- Photograph from the ground. Gutters, downspouts, AC condenser fins, window screens, fence boards, the garage door and any dented vehicles. Soft-metal dents prove hail size and direction.
- Check two pages of your policy. The declarations page for the wind and hail deductible, and the endorsements for any cosmetic exclusion or roof payment schedule.
- Be careful with door-to-door contractors. Under Tex. Ins. Code §4102.163, a contractor may not act as your public adjuster on a property it may repair. Don't sign anything that gives a roofer control of your claim.
- Report the claim and get your own inspection. Many policies set a deadline to report wind and hail damage, so check your "Duties after loss" section and don't wait out the season.
Our roof and hail damage claims service explains how we work these losses from inspection through appraisal. Our fee is a percentage of the claim payment, capped by Texas law at 10%, with nothing upfront.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it worth filing a hail claim if the damage seems close to my deductible?
Often yes, but only after the full scope is written. Gutters, AC fins, screens, fences and paint are frequently missed, and a complete estimate can land well above a percentage deductible.
Will my insurer pay for Class 4 shingles if that is what I had?
Generally the estimate should price like kind and quality, which means Class 4 if that was the existing roof. Keep your installation invoice or product documentation to prove it.
My HOA requires matching shingles. Does insurance have to replace the whole roof?
Not automatically. Texas has no matching statute, so it depends on your policy wording and the facts, but HOA notices and proof that the shingle is discontinued support a full replacement request.
Do you have an office in Dallas?
No. Our office is in Belton, and we travel to Dallas and the Collin County suburbs to inspect property in person. The free claim review can start by phone or text.
