More than four months have passed since the major April hailstorm swept through our area, leaving damaged roofs, dented vehicles and other property damage across Southwest Missouri.
In the weeks immediately following the storm, our office was busy helping clients navigate inspections, estimates and insurance claims. But we also know there are people who noticed damage and decided to wait—or simply haven’t gotten around to dealing with it yet.
If that’s you, consider this your reminder: now is the time to take another look and determine whether you need to report a hail damage insurance claim.
Severe Weather Claims Are Common in Missouri
Unfortunately, severe weather is nothing new for Missouri property owners.
According to the Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance, insurers received more than 253,000 catastrophic weather-related residential property, renters, condo and auto insurance claims in Missouri in 2025. As of May 25, 2026, insurers had paid more than $2.9 billion for those catastrophic weather-related claims, including nearly $2.5 billion for residential property claims.
Those numbers are a good reminder of just how significant storm damage can be—and why it’s important to address damage when it happens.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Report a Hail Damage Insurance Claim
The Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance recommends contacting your insurance agent or insurance company’s claims department as soon as possible after your property is damaged.
Your individual insurance policy may also contain specific requirements or deadlines for reporting a loss, providing documentation or completing repairs. Those requirements can vary by insurance company and policy, so don’t assume you have unlimited time simply because the storm happened several months ago.
Waiting can also make the claims process more complicated. As more time passes, documenting when damage occurred and connecting it to a particular storm can become more difficult—especially if another severe weather event occurs.
If you know your property was damaged in April, don’t continue putting it off.
What If the Hail Damaged Your Roof?
Roof damage isn’t always obvious from the ground.
You may not have a leak or missing shingles and could still have damage from a significant hailstorm. If you have reason to believe your roof was damaged in April but haven’t had it inspected, now is a good time to consider having a reputable roofing professional take a look.
If damage is found, contact your insurance agent or company to discuss your homeowners insurance coverage, deductible and next steps.
It’s also important to understand that reporting a claim and completing repairs aren’t necessarily the same thing. Property policies may contain specific provisions regarding reporting damage, completing repairs and recovering certain replacement-cost benefits. Coverage for roofs can also vary depending on your particular policy, including whether covered roof damage is settled at replacement cost or actual cash value.
Rather than assuming you have plenty of time—or assuming how your roof will be covered—check your individual policy and ask questions.
The Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance offers a helpful Post-Disaster Claims Guide that explains deductibles, actual cash value, replacement cost and other important parts of the property claims process.
Don’t Forget About Hail Damage to Your Vehicle
The April storm didn’t just affect homes and roofs. We saw plenty of vehicles with hail damage, too.
If your vehicle is still covered in dents that you’ve been meaning to address “eventually,” don’t keep putting it off.
Hail damage to a vehicle is generally handled under comprehensive auto coverage, subject to the coverage, terms and deductible of your individual policy. If you’re unsure whether your vehicle carries comprehensive coverage or don’t remember your deductible, your insurance agent can help you review your policy before deciding what to do next.
And remember: a vehicle doesn’t have to be undrivable for hail damage to matter. If you know your vehicle sustained damage during the April storm and haven’t addressed it, now is a good time to revisit it.
Had an Estimate but Never Filed a Claim?
Here’s another situation that can happen after a major storm: someone has a roofer or body shop look at the damage, receives an estimate and then never takes the next step.
Getting an estimate is not the same thing as reporting an insurance claim.
If you’ve confirmed that you have damage from the April storm but haven’t contacted your insurance company or agent, now is the time to revisit it.
And if you aren’t sure whether filing a claim makes sense, ask before assuming. The amount of damage, your deductible, your coverage and the provisions of your individual policy can all factor into that decision.
Not Sure Whether You Should File a Hail Damage Claim?
You don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
If you’re a Smart Insurance Agency client and have questions about hail damage from the April storm, give our office a call. We can help you review your coverage and deductible, answer questions about the claims process and determine the appropriate next step.
Our goal isn’t to tell you that every dent or damaged shingle needs to become an insurance claim. It’s to make sure you have the information you need to make an informed decision—and that you don’t unintentionally wait too long to address legitimate damage.
The Storm Is Gone. The Damage Isn’t.
April may feel like a long time ago now. Summer is winding down, school is back in session and that hailstorm probably isn’t top of mind anymore.
But if your roof or vehicle was damaged and you still haven’t dealt with it, don’t let another few months slip by.
Take another look. Get the damage evaluated if needed. Review your coverage and deductible. And if a hail damage insurance claim needs to be reported, get the process started.
Have questions about damage from the April storm? Contact Smart Insurance Agency. We’re happy to help you understand your coverage and determine your next step.