The short version: report the claim fast, document everything before anyone touches the roof, don't sign anything a door-knocker hands you, and know your three deadlines — report within your policy's window (commonly 12 months), return the proof of loss (often within 30 days of request), and complete repairs inside your policy's replacement-cost window (typically 180–365 days) or you may forfeit the depreciation holdback.
Start with the Hail Damage Repair category and request quotes from companies as verification records come online.
View Hail Damage Repair →Calgary is Canada's hail capital. The August 5, 2024 storm alone caused roughly $3 billion in insured damage — the second-costliest disaster in Canadian history — with more than 130,000 claims and damage to about one in five Calgary homes. Alberta sees a major hailstorm essentially every year, and the season runs May through September. If you own a home here long enough, you will file one of these claims. The homeowners who come out whole are the ones who understand the process before the adjuster calls.
As soon as it's safe, walk the property and photograph everything: roof (from the ground or a window — don't climb), siding, eavestroughs and downspouts, window frames and screens, garage door, AC unit, deck, fence, and vehicles. Take wide shots for context and close-ups for detail, and get a photo that captures hailstone size next to a coin or tape measure if any remain.
Two rules:
Call your insurer's claims line or use their portal as soon as you've documented. After a mass event like a major hailstorm, insurers triage tens of thousands of claims — the earlier you're in the queue, the earlier your adjuster visit. Most Alberta policies require claims to be reported within 12 months of the loss, but never wait: late reporting invites disputes about when the damage occurred, especially in a city hit by multiple storms per season.
When you call, have ready: your policy number, the storm date, a damage summary, and whether the home is habitable/secure.
Check your policy for a separate hail or wind/hail deductible — many Alberta insurers have moved hail to its own, higher deductible, and standard hail deductibles have risen sharply in recent years. Some are flat amounts; some are a percentage of your dwelling coverage, which can be thousands of dollars.
This matters for one big decision: if the repair estimate is close to your deductible, claiming may not be worth it. Get a sense of repair cost first (our cost guide covers ranges) — a claim that nets you little can still affect your file.
Your insurer assigns an adjuster who inspects the damage and scopes the repair. To get the most from this visit: be present, walk them through your photo documentation, and point out everything — homeowners routinely forget eavestroughs, screens, fences, sheds and AC fins, then can't reopen the scope later without friction.
It's reasonable (and common in Calgary) to have a roofing contractor's assessment in hand before the adjuster arrives, so you can compare scopes. A good contractor's report identifies damage an adjuster moving through 40 houses a week might miss. If the adjuster's scope comes in materially lighter than a credible contractor assessment, you can dispute it — ask for a re-inspection, and put the two scopes side by side.
Your insurer will ask you to complete a proof of loss — the sworn document listing the damage and its value. Policies commonly require it back within 30 days of the request. Missing it can stall or jeopardize the claim. If you need more time, ask in writing; extensions are routinely granted, silence is not.
Most Alberta homeowner policies pay replacement cost in two stages:
The trap: most policies require repairs to be completed within 180–365 days to collect the holdback. In a post-storm market where good contractors are booked for months, that window burns faster than you'd think. Book your contractor early, and if you're going to run past the deadline, request an extension from your insurer in writing, before it lapses.
Your insurer may suggest a preferred vendor; suggestions are fine, but in Alberta the choice of contractor is yours. Choose a local, licensed, insured company — our contractor checklist covers exactly what to verify, and every company on TrueTrades with the ✓ has already had its licence, WCB and insurance checked.
One warning worth its own paragraph: after every major Calgary storm, out-of-province "storm chasers" flood the city door to door. Never sign a document at your door — some are disguised assignments of your claim or exclusive repair agreements. In Alberta, door-to-door contractors taking deposits generally require a prepaid contracting licence under the Consumer Protection Act, and many don't have one. A legitimate local roofer will give you time, references, and a written quote, and will still exist next year when the warranty matters.
Keep every invoice. Submit them for the holdback release, and confirm the final payment covers the full scope. Before your contractor's final payment, do a walkthrough against the written scope — and ask whether upgrading to Class 4 impact-resistant shingles makes sense while the roof is open: many Alberta insurers discount premiums 10–30% for impact-rated roofs, which pays back the upgrade over its life.
| Deadline | Typical requirement | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Report the claim | Within 12 months of loss (report ASAP regardless) | Your policy wording |
| Proof of loss | Often within 30 days of insurer's request | Your policy wording |
| Complete repairs (for holdback) | 180–365 days, extensions possible in writing | Your policy wording / adjuster |
Every policy differs. This guide describes common Alberta practice — your policy wording governs. When in doubt, ask your insurer to point to the clause.
Will a hail claim raise my premiums?
Hail is typically treated as a no-fault weather event; a single claim usually matters less than your insurer's overall Calgary hail experience — premiums across the city have risen for everyone. Multiple claims in short succession, however, can affect your file. If damage is minor relative to your deductible, run the math before claiming.
The adjuster says my roof damage is "cosmetic." Do I have to accept that?
No. Ask for the finding in writing, get a written assessment from a reputable local roofer, and request a re-inspection if they conflict. Note that some policies carry cosmetic-damage exclusions for metal components — check your wording.
Can I keep the ACV cheque and not repair?
You can, but you forfeit the holdback (often a third or more of the claim value), unrepaired damage can compound, and you must disclose it when selling. It also risks complications on future claims for the same components.
My contractor says they'll "cover my deductible." Is that legit?
Treat it as a red flag. It usually means the cost is hidden in an inflated scope — which is insurance fraud territory — or in cut corners. Reputable Alberta contractors don't do it.
We've had three storms — which one do I claim?
Claim promptly after each event and let the insurer allocate. This is exactly why fast reporting and dated photos matter in Calgary: they tie damage to a specific storm.
Sources for figures: Insurance Bureau of Canada (Aug 2024 storm losses; hail claim guidance); CatIQ via CBC ($3.25B revised estimate); common Alberta policy terms per IBC and Alberta contractor claim guides (goodroofing.ca, fairandsquareroofing.com, albaconstructioninc.ca). Verify current wording against your own policy.