What to Do After Hail Damage in Minnesota

First: don't panic, and don't sign anything

After a significant hail event in the Twin Cities, neighborhoods fill with door-knockers within hours. Some are legitimate; many are out-of-state crews that will be gone before your shingles age a single winter. The single most important rule: never sign an agreement on your doorstep on storm day. There is no legitimate discount that expires tonight.

Step 1 — Document what you can see safely

From the ground, photograph: dented gutters and downspouts, damaged window screens and wraps, dented AC fins, marks on decks or painted surfaces, and any shingle debris in the yard. Note the date and time of the storm. Do not climb on the roof — soft-metal dents at ground level are usually enough to justify a professional inspection.

Step 2 — Get an inspection from an established local contractor

Choose a contractor who existed before the storm and will exist after it: verifiable Minnesota license, a physical local office, and a project history you can see. (Klasic Exteriors is MN License #BC802228, established 2011, headquartered in St. Paul.) A good inspection documents damage with photos, distinguishes hail damage from normal wear, and tells you honestly when damage doesn't justify a claim.

Step 3 — Decide about an insurance claim

If damage is real and widespread, your homeowner's policy likely covers it, subject to your deductible. Keep in mind:

• You choose your contractor — not your insurer, and not whoever knocked first.
• In Minnesota, a contractor cannot act as your public adjuster. Klasic Exteriors is not a licensed public adjuster; we document damage and perform repairs, and all compensation is received through contracting services.
• Claims generally must be filed within the window your policy specifies — check your policy documents rather than assuming.

Step 4 — Repair with someone who will still be here

Storm work is where warranties matter most. A workmanship warranty from a company with a Minnesota address and a decade of history is worth something; one from a crew that heads to the next hail state in October is not.

The short version

• Photograph ground-level evidence; don't climb the roof.
• Never sign on storm day.
• Use an established, licensed local contractor for the inspection.
• File a claim only when documented damage justifies it.