Missouri Hail Damage Insurance: What Homeowners Need to Know
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage in Missouri?
Written by
R.E. Hawley
Contributing writer | Insurance
R.E. Hawley is an insurance writer at Kin and a licensed insurance expert whose work has appeared on Bankrate, Jerry, and elsewhere.
Updated Jun 30, 2026
Standard home insurance in Missouri covers hail damage, but separate wind and hail deductibles, cosmetic damage exclusions, and your policy details can all affect your payout in the event of a claim.
Missouri homeowners face a higher risk of hail damage than residents of most other states. With over 250 individual hail events in 2025 alone, Missouri ranks fifth in major hail storms according to the Insurance Information Institute.
What does homeowners insurance cover for hail damage in Missouri?
Missouri home insurance can help cover damage caused by hail, ranging from roof repairs and window replacement to temporary housing and other expenses if your home becomes unlivable due to a covered loss. A standard home insurance policy actually includes several distinct types of coverage, each designed to protect a different part of your life and property.
Here's how each coverage type applies to hail damage:
| Coverage type | What it covers | What is excluded |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling coverage (Coverage A) | Your home’s physical structure (e.g. roof, siding, gutters, windows, and walls) | Damage caused by neglect |
| Other structures coverage (Coverage B) | Detached structures on your property (e.g. garages, fences, sheds, and gazebos) | Damage caused by neglect |
| Personal property coverage (Coverage C) | Belongings in your home that may be damaged if hail breaches the structures | Vehicles, watercraft, business property, and high-value items beyond certain limits |
| Loss of use coverage (Coverage D) | Temporary housing, meals, and other costs beyond your normal living expenses if your home is uninhabitable due to hail damage | Your routine costs, such as rent or mortgage payments |
Be aware: Hail damage to vehicles you own isn’t covered by home insurance. Instead, you’ll need an auto insurance policy with comprehensive coverage in order to pay for this damage. The minimum-required coverage (a basic liability auto insurance policy) won’t cover hail damage.
Missouri wind & hail deductibles explained
A deductible is the amount of damage you're responsible for covering out of pocket before insurance kicks in to cover the rest, up to your policy limits. Due to the high costs associated with hail storms, many Missouri insurers have shifted from flat dollar-based deductibles to percentage-based wind and hail deductibles. If you live in Missouri, your home insurance policy likely includes a wind and hail deductible that’s separate from your standard deductible and represents a percentage of your home’s insured value.
Wind & hail deductible example
Here’s how it works. Let’s say your home is insured for $350,000. Your policy has two deductibles: a standard $2,000 deductible and a 2% wind and hail deductible. In the case of covered hail damage, a 2% wind and hail deductible means you’d be responsible for the first $7,000 of damage on an approved hail claim. Then, insurance would cover the remainder, up to your policy limit.
Your home insurance declarations page — the summary document that outlines your coverage details and policy limits — will show both your standard deductible and your wind and hail deductible. You can likely access it through your insurer's online account portal, or you may have received a paper copy by mail. Either way, it's worth a quick look before storm season rolls around.
ACV vs. RCV: How it determines your payout
While you’re checking your policy, confirm whether your home insurance is set to pay out on a replacement cost value (RCV) or actual cash value (ACV).
What’s the difference?
Replacement cost value pays what it would cost today to replace damaged materials and property with similar versions
Actual cash value only pays the depreciated value of damaged materials and property, meaning your payout reflects the age and wear of what was damaged — not the cost to replace it with something new
Many homeowners insurance policies cover your home's dwelling and certain other structures on your property on an RCV basis. Personal property is often covered on an ACV basis. However, some Missouri insurers will issue ACV-only policies for homes with roofs past a certain age (typically 15–20 years). An ACV-only policy for an older home could mean a massive deduction in your total payout. If you're unsure which type of coverage you have, you can check your policy documents or contact your insurer directly.
If you have an ACV-only policy, consider upgrading your roof to qualify for lower rates on an RCV policy. If a hail storm damages your roof and your insurance policy only covers the roof’s actual cash value (minus your hail deductible), replacing the roof could cost you $10,000 or more out of pocket.
If you have an RCV policy, be aware that some insurers will pay your property's ACV upfront, then release the remaining balance — the difference between the depreciated value and the full replacement cost — in a second payment after repairs are completed and invoiced. Confirm with your claims adjuster how RCV payments are handled before moving forward with your claim.
Hail damage that may not be covered in Missouri
Not all hail damage is covered by home insurance in Missouri. Below are some of the most common exclusions to be aware of.
Cosmetic damage: If your siding or roofing is dented but the structure of your home remains functional, some Missouri home insurance policies will not cover this type of cosmetic damage. Cosmetic damage exclusions have become more common in hail-prone states as insurers work to manage the rising costs of hail claims. If you believe your damage goes beyond cosmetic, document it thoroughly and be prepared to demonstrate that it affects your home's function, not just its appearance.
Pre-existing damage and deferred maintenance: Insurers may deny your claim if they can show that the damage to your home predated the hail storm or resulted from wear and tear or neglect. Stay up to date with maintenance and keep careful records to avoid this type of claim denial.
Flood and storm surge: If flooding accompanies a hailstorm, damage caused by the flood isn’t covered by a standard home insurance policy. You’ll need to add flood coverage via a home insurance policy add-on (called an endorsement) or to purchase a separate flood policy through a private insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program to be covered.
How to avoid hail damage in Missouri
Hail is part of life in Missouri, but proactive homeowners can take steps to avoid significant property damage. Here’s how.
Install a hail-resistant roof: The gold standard in hailproofing is a roof built to FORTIFIED Home standards, which specifies impact-resistant shingles and construction methods designed to withstand severe weather. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety rates shingles based on hail resistance and can connect you with professional contractors in your area.
Reinforce windows and siding: You can also upgrade your window glass and siding using hail-resistant materials.
Enhance and seal your roof deck: In addition to impact-resistant roofing materials, a sealed roof deck with reinforced seams and edges can protect your home against hail and wind.
Upgrade your gutters and downspouts: Opt for gutters and downspouts made of hail-resistant steel.
Invest in storm shutters: Heavy-duty storm shutters can reduce your home’s risk of hail damage, but even plywood and heavy blankets can protect your windows and skylights in advance of a major storm.
Prepare your home for every storm: Any time hail or strong winds are in the forecast, take time to park your vehicle in a secure garage, clear your gutters and downspouts, move patio furniture indoors, and anchor any heavy items that could be caught by the wind.
How to file a hail damage claim in Missouri
If your home is damaged by hail in Missouri, here’s how to file a claim with your home insurance company.
Document everything immediately: Before attempting any cleanup, take photos and video of all affected areas of your property, including your roof, siding, gutters, and windows.
Mitigate further damage: If hail breached your home’s exterior, use a tarp to cover any holes or openings to prevent interior water damage. Your home insurance policy spells out your responsibility to avoid ongoing damage. Your insurer could deny your claims if you fail to take these steps.
Get an inspection: Hail damage isn’t always visible from the ground or to an inexperienced eye. A licensed independent contractor can supply evidence of damage before the insurance company sends out their own adjuster — but be wary of pushy contractors in the wake of a major storm.
File your claim as soon as possible: After documenting damage and securing your property against further losses, file a claim promptly, ideally within a week or so. You might have one or two years to file a storm damage claim based on your policy agreement, but the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance advises filing as quickly as possible.
Speak to your insurer before making repairs: Other than emergency repairs to prevent further damage, you should provide the insurance company the opportunity to inspect the damage.
Beware of contractor fraud: After a major hailstorm, some shady contractors may attempt to take advantage of desperate homeowners. The FCC advises homeowners to verify contractors’ credentials and be wary of companies claiming to partner with insurance. Never pay the full cost of repairs upfront.
Know your rights: If you believe your hail claim was denied or delayed in violation of your consumer rights, contact the Missouri DCI Consumer Hotline at 1-800-726-7390.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth claiming hail damage on insurance?
Whether to file a claim depends on a few factors worth weighing carefully. For significant structural damage, a home insurance claim may result in a payout that far exceeds your out-of-pocket costs. For minor damage, the math can look different — filing a claim may raise your premium at renewal, and your payout after the deductible may be small.
How much does insurance usually pay for hail damage?
The amount your insurance company pays out for hail damage depends on the type of coverage you have (replacement cost value or actual cash value), your deductible, the extent of your damage, and your home’s insured value. Data from the Insurance Information Institute indicate that the average homeowner claim for hail damage is over $14,000, but your own claim may be higher or lower.
What does a 2% wind hail deductible mean?
A 2% wind and hail deductible means that you will be responsible for paying the amount equal to 2% of your home’s total insured value on all wind and hail claims before your insurance coverage kicks in to cover the remainder.
What should I not tell my insurance company after hail damage?
When filing a hail damage claim, keep all communication with your insurance company objective and thorough. Provide detailed information about the storm and the specific damage to your home. Stick to the facts as you know them.