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August 19, 2026
If hail hit your Calgary home, do three things within 72 hours: photograph the damage from the ground, call your insurer or broker to open a claim, and cover any opening that lets water in. Get a written inspection from a licensed local contractor before you sign anything. Then decide whether to rebuild with the same materials or upgrade to Class 4 impact-resistant roofing and tougher siding, so the next storm doesn't put you through this again.
Calgary sits in Canada's "Hail Alley." Damaging hail here falls mainly between June and mid-September, and Alberta has had at least one major hailstorm every year for the past two decades. This guide is written by a Calgary exterior contractor that has been fixing hail-damaged homes since 2010.
Hail is not a rare event in Calgary. It is the single most expensive weather risk your home's exterior faces.
Here are some Facts:
Insured losses, August 5, 2024 Calgary hailstorm
About $3.3 billion, second-costliest disaster in Canadian history
CatIQ via DKI Calgary, IBC via Insurance Journal
Insurance claims from that storm
More than 130,000
Calgary-area homes affected
Nearly 60,000
Insured losses, July 13, 2025 Calgary hailstorm
$164 million
Alberta insured hail damage, past two decades
More than $10 billion, $6 billion of it in the last five years
Main hail season
June to mid-September
The damage that costs you most is the damage you can't see from the driveway. Bruised shingles and cracked siding let water in slowly, often a season or two later.
Dark spots where granules were knocked off, soft "bruises" when pressed, cracked or split tabs, granules piled in eavestroughs
Exposed mat ages fast and leaks within a few years
Holes, cracks, chips, especially on the side that faced the storm
Water gets behind the siding and into sheathing and insulation
Chipped paint or edges, dents on corners and trim
Usually cosmetic, but chipped finish should be sealed
Cracked glass, dented or split frames and capping, torn screens, damaged seals (fogging between panes later)
Broken seals cut energy efficiency and can let water in
Dents, splits, crushed downspouts, cracked roof vents
Good "witness marks" adjusters use to confirm hail hit the roof
Punctures, cracks, chipped edges
Small punctures become leaks into the living space below
One rule of thumb: if your soft metals (vents, eavestroughs, the A/C unit) are dented, assume the roof took hits too and get it inspected.
In Alberta, hail damage to your home is generally covered by a standard home insurance policy, subject to your deductible. The details depend on your policy, so read it or ask your broker. Here is how the process usually runs:
Deadlines that matter. Under Alberta's Insurance Act, you generally have two years from when you knew, or should have known, about the damage to start a legal action over a property claim. Your insurer must tell you about that deadline in writing if the claim isn't settled within 60 days. Don't let a claim drift.
If you disagree with the outcome. Start with your insurer's internal complaint process or ombudsperson. If that doesn't resolve it, the General Insurance OmbudService and Alberta's Superintendent of Insurance are the next stops.
MAXgreen has no contracts with insurance companies. We work for the homeowner. Ask any contractor you're considering who they actually work for.
A hail claim is the cheapest moment you will ever have to upgrade your roof. Insurance typically pays to replace what you had, like for like. If you choose a tougher product, you usually pay only the difference.
What Class 4 means. Class 4 is the top rating under the UL 2218 impact test, in which a 2-inch steel ball is dropped onto the roofing from 20 feet without cracking it. Class 4 options include impact-resistant asphalt shingles and rubber roofing such as EuroShield, which is made from about 95% recycled material.
Why it pays off in Calgary:
Is the City of Calgary roofing rebate still available? No. The Resilient Roofing Rebate offered up to $3,000 for Class 4 roofing after the 2020 storm, but it ended, and the City decided in 2025 not to bring it back. Be wary of any contractor selling a job on a City rebate.
Siding and windows. Vinyl siding cracks in hail. Fibre cement (such as James Hardie) and engineered wood siding stand up far better. For windows, fibreglass frames resist denting and cracking better than vinyl. See our comparisons of Hardie vs. engineered wood siding and fibreglass vs. vinyl windows.
After every major Calgary storm, out-of-province crews knock on doors, do the job fast, and are gone before the first leak. The warranty leaves with them.
Before you sign with anyone, check:
At MAXgreen, every installation is backed by our 122½ Year TRUE LIFETIME Workmanship Warranty. We are a family owned business and have been installing exteriors here since 2010.
Does home insurance cover hail damage in Alberta? Generally yes. Standard Alberta home policies cover hail damage to the roof, siding and windows, minus your deductible. Insurers may limit payment if they find the roof was already in poor condition, so keep maintenance records.
How long do I have to file a hail claim in Alberta? Report it as soon as possible; your policy sets the notice requirements. Separately, Alberta's Insurance Act generally gives you two years from when you knew of the damage to start a legal action over the claim.
Will a hail claim raise my insurance premium? It can. Widespread Calgary hail losses push premiums up for everyone in affected areas. Upgrading to impact-resistant materials is the most direct way to lower your risk. Ask your broker how claims and upgrades affect your rate.
How long does hail roof replacement take in Calgary? A typical home roof takes 1-2 days once materials and a crew arrives. After big storms, the wait for an adjuster and a crew can stretch to weeks or months, so book early.
Can I upgrade to Class 4 roofing during an insurance claim? Yes. Insurance usually pays for like-for-like replacement, and you pay the difference for the upgrade.
Is there a hail roofing rebate in Calgary in 2027? Not from the City of Calgary. Its Resilient Roofing Rebate ended and the City chose not to revive it in 2025. Some insurers offer premium discounts for Class 4 roofs instead.
Can hail damage windows? Yes. Hail can crack glass, dent or split frames and capping, tear screens and damage the seals between panes. Fogging between panes after a storm is a sign the seal failed.
Should I let a contractor deal with my insurance company for me? Your contractor can document damage and meet the adjuster, but the claim is yours. Never sign over your insurance payment before work is done and inspected.
MAXgreen Windows, Siding & Roofing is a Calgary exterior renovation company founded in 2010 to provide a better Renovation experience. We install windows, doors, siding and roofing across Calgary and within 60 km of the city, year-round. Every installation carries our 122½ Year TRUE LIFETIME Workmanship Warranty.
Had hail at your place? Request a free inspection or call (403) 805-4733. We'll photograph the damage and give you a written report you can share with your adjuster.
Sources: Insurance Bureau of Canada · Insurance Journal (IBC/CatIQ) · DKI Calgary (CatIQ data) · Global News: rebate won't return · Insurance Business: IBC on hail-resistant materials · CBC via The Weather Network: how hail claims work · Alberta Superintendent of Insurance notice on the two-year limitation · BLG: insurer notice duties in Alberta
