Storm and Warranty Issues

Storm Damage and Roof Warranty Guide

Learn how wind, hail, fallen trees, debris, and severe weather interact with manufacturer and workmanship warranties and why storm damage is commonly handled separately.

What it may cover

Potential benefits under qualifying conditions.

Material defects unrelated to the storm

Installation defects unrelated to the storm

Qualifying damage under a separate impact-rated product program

Continued coverage for unaffected roof areas

Manufacturer review of disputed product performance

Contractor review of qualifying workmanship concerns

Common exclusions

Conditions often handled outside the warranty.

Wind damage

Hail impact

Fallen trees

Flying debris

Tornado damage

Ice and snow loading

Lightning or fire

Emergency repairs outside warranty rules

Homeowner requirements

Steps that may be required to preserve coverage.

Document storm conditions

Photograph visible damage

Preserve damaged materials when requested

Notify the manufacturer or contractor when appropriate

Avoid unnecessary alterations

Keep emergency repair receipts

Separate storm damage from suspected defects

Follow insurance and warranty procedures independently

Common denial reasons

Why a warranty claim may be rejected.

The damage pattern was weather-related

The warranty excludes acts of nature

Emergency work removed evidence

The issue was reported under the wrong warranty

The product was not defective

The roof was altered after the storm

Documentation was incomplete

The claim involved property insurance instead

Questions to ask

Questions worth answering before relying on coverage.

Is storm damage excluded?

Should the contractor or manufacturer inspect?

Should damaged materials be preserved?

Will repairs affect remaining warranty coverage?

Are impact-rated products covered differently?

What documentation is required?

Does emergency tarping affect coverage?

Should insurance and warranty claims be handled separately?

Frequently asked questions

Questions about storm damage and warranties.

Does a shingle warranty cover hail damage?+

Usually not. Hail is typically treated as an external weather event rather than a manufacturing defect.

Can wind damage void the rest of the roof warranty?+

Not automatically, but repairs must follow applicable requirements to preserve remaining coverage.

Should damaged shingles be saved?+

They may be useful for inspection or testing when safely removed and preserved.

Can a warranty and insurance claim both exist?+

Potentially, when separate conditions are involved, but each claim must satisfy its own coverage requirements.

Related warranty guides

Continue comparing coverage and requirements.

Need property-specific answers?

Schedule a professional roof inspection.

Get clear information about visible conditions, likely causes, repairability, and the next documents or parties to review.