Hail Damage Size Reference: What 1" vs 1.25" vs 2.5" Looks Like (Alabama)
Why hail size matters for insurance claims
Hail size is the best quick predictor of damage. Research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) shows that asphalt shingles begin to lose protective granules and bruise around 1 inch (quarter-size), with damage escalating sharply as stones grow larger. That threshold also matters for money: many Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia homeowners policies apply a separate wind/hail deductible — often a percentage of the dwelling limit rather than a flat dollar amount — so the size and severity of a storm can change both whether a claim is worth filing and how much you pay out of pocket (source: Insurance Information Institute).
Hail size reference chart
Each size is paired with a familiar object and the damage typically expected. Use it to set expectations — your adjuster's inspection determines what is actually covered.
| Size | Comparison | Damage to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5" | Marble / pea | Mostly cosmetic; may mark soft siding. |
| 0.75" | Penny | Soft-metal damage (gutters, screens, AC fins). |
| 1.0" | Quarter | Shingle granule loss begins; claims assessment threshold. |
| 1.25" | Half-dollar | Asphalt shingle bruising becomes common. |
| 1.5" | Ping-pong ball | Visible shingle damage; dented vehicles. |
| 1.75" | Golf ball | Heavy roof and siding damage. |
| 2.0" | Hen egg | Roof replacement likely. |
| 2.5"+ | Tennis ball | Catastrophic — broken windows, vehicles, structural damage. |
Sizes and damage descriptions are compiled from IBHS hail research and the National Weather Service hail-size conventions used in Storm Prediction Center reports.
How to document hail damage
Good documentation is what turns an inspection into an approved claim. Work through this before any roofer climbs up:
- Photograph the hail with a coin for scale — a quarter or penny in the frame makes size undeniable.
- Shoot from multiple angles — wide shots of each roof slope and elevation, plus close-ups of bruised shingles, dented gutters, screens, AC fins and vehicles.
- Record the date and time of the storm and the date of your photos.
- Save the official NWS storm report for your area as evidence of hail size and timing.
- Keep receipts for any temporary repairs (tarps, board-ups) that prevent further damage.
Wind/hail deductibles in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia
Before you file, know your deductible. In much of the Southeast, wind/hail losses carry a separate percentage deductible that can be far higher than your standard all-perils deductible. We break down how these work, with examples, in wind & hail deductibles in AL, TN & GA and our Alabama wind/hail deductible overview.
When to call your agent (and when to call a roofer)
Call your agent first to confirm whether filing makes sense given your deductible and the apparent damage. Then have a reputable, licensed roofer inspect. Critically: do not sign any contract, assignment of benefits, or authorization before your insurance adjuster has seen the damage, and be wary of door-to-door crews that show up immediately after a storm. For the claim process step by step, see what to do after a hail claim in Alabama and our Alabama hail damage claims guide.
NWS hail-size resources
Verify the size and date of a hail event using official records:
- NWS Storm Prediction Center — daily storm reports including hail size.
- NOAA / NCEI Storm Events Database — searchable historical events by location and date.
- NWS Birmingham, NWS Huntsville and NWS Mobile — local Alabama offices.
TCDS Agency is an independent, carrier-neutral broker. If you are unsure whether to file a hail claim, contact us and we will help you weigh your deductible against the likely damage.
Hail size & damage at a glance
Hail size is the single most useful field on a storm report, because it predicts the kind of damage a roof, siding and vehicles are likely to take — and it shapes how an insurance claim is evaluated. Most roof damage assessments become meaningful at roughly 1 inch (quarter-size) and larger, where asphalt shingles begin to lose granules and bruise (source: IBHS). Below that, damage is usually cosmetic; well above it, roof replacement and structural damage become likely.
This reference pairs each common hail size with a familiar object and the damage to expect. Use it to set expectations, not to self-adjudicate a claim: the official measure of a storm comes from the NWS Storm Prediction Center and the NCEI Storm Events database, and the official damage assessment comes from your adjuster. Photograph everything with a coin for scale before anyone touches the roof.
| Size | Insurance significance | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| ~1" (quarter) | Common threshold where roof damage assessment becomes meaningful. | IBHS |
| Wind/hail deductible | Many AL/TN/GA policies apply a separate percentage deductible. | III |
| Storm verification | Confirm hail size/date from official storm reports. | NWS SPC |
| Historical record | Look up past events by location and date. | NCEI Storm Events |
| Document for scale | Photograph hail and damage next to a coin, from many angles. | IBHS |
| Before you sign | Let the adjuster inspect before authorizing any roofer. | ALDOI |
Compiled from IBHS, NWS Storm Prediction Center, NCEI Storm Events, the Insurance Information Institute and the Alabama Department of Insurance. Your policy terms and your adjuster's findings control.
See the full Alabama insurance guide.
Part of: Home Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
What size hail causes roof damage?
Roof damage assessment generally becomes meaningful around 1-inch (quarter-size) hail, where asphalt shingles begin losing granules and bruising. Hail of 1.25 inches and larger commonly causes visible shingle damage, and 2 inches or more often leads to roof replacement. Below about 1 inch, hail damage to a typical asphalt roof is usually cosmetic, though softer metals and screens can mark at smaller sizes.
How does hail size affect my insurance claim?
Hail size helps your adjuster judge whether damage is functional or cosmetic, and many Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia policies apply a separate wind/hail deductible that is a percentage of your dwelling limit rather than a flat dollar amount. Larger documented hail makes a functional-damage finding more likely, but the policy language and the adjuster's inspection — not the hail size alone — determine what is covered.
How do I document hail damage for a claim?
Photograph the hail itself next to a coin for scale, then photograph the roof, siding, gutters, screens, AC fins and vehicles from multiple angles, including wide shots and close-ups. Note the date and time, save the official NWS storm report for your area, and keep receipts for any temporary repairs. Do this before any roofer climbs on the roof so the original condition is preserved.
Should I call my agent or a roofer first after hail?
Call your agent first to confirm whether filing makes sense given your wind/hail deductible and the apparent damage, then have a reputable, licensed roofer inspect. Do not sign any contract, assignment of benefits, or authorization before your insurance adjuster has inspected the damage, and be cautious of door-to-door crews that appear right after a storm.
Where can I verify the hail size for my area?
Use official sources: the NWS Storm Prediction Center publishes daily storm reports including hail size, and the NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database lets you look up past events by location and date. Your local NWS office (Birmingham, Huntsville or Mobile in Alabama) also archives significant storms. These records help confirm the date and severity of the hail event for your claim.