The Calgary hailstorm process has become almost ritualistic for longtime homeowners: the storm hits, the hail pings off your roof and siding, and within 24 hours contractors are knocking on your door and your phone is ringing with cold calls. Meanwhile, you’re trying to figure out whether to file, how to file, and whether you’ll be treated fairly.
Here’s the complete process, step by step.
Step 1: Document Damage Immediately (Within 24 Hours)
Before calling anyone, document everything with photos and video. Walk your entire property exterior and capture:
- Every wall elevation showing any visible damage
- Close-ups of individual impact marks, cracks, or dented panels
- Gutters, downspouts, window screens, and AC condenser unit
- Any landscaping damage (stripped leaves, broken branches) — this corroborates the storm severity
- Roof (from ground — don’t climb on it)
Photography tips:
- Use good lighting — overcast light is actually excellent for revealing impact patterns
- Get both wide shots (full elevation) and macro shots (individual impacts)
- Timestamp your photos or use camera metadata — this is critical
- Back up immediately to cloud storage
Step 2: Prevent Further Damage (Your Duty)
You have a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after a storm. This does not mean making permanent repairs before your adjuster visits — it means:
- Applying temporary tarps or covering if panels are broken and the wall is exposed
- Boarding up any openings
- Documenting your temporary measures with photos
Permanent repairs before an adjuster inspection can create claim complications.
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Broker or Company
Call your insurance broker or insurer’s claims line within 24–48 hours of the storm. Be prepared to provide:
- Policy number
- Date and approximate time of the storm
- Description of the damage you observed
- Whether you’ve already taken temporary protective measures
Your insurer will:
- Open a claim file with a claim number
- Assign an adjuster (timeline varies — in the aftermath of a major Calgary hailstorm, this can take 1–4 weeks)
- Provide guidance on the next steps in your specific policy
Step 4: Get an Independent Contractor Assessment
Before or around the same time as your adjuster visit, contact a local, licensed Calgary siding contractor for an independent damage assessment. This is important because:
- Adjusters can miss damage — especially on fiber cement, stucco, or partially damaged vinyl
- You want a second set of eyes on the scope before an offer is made
- A written contractor assessment gives you documentation to support your claim if you need to dispute a low settlement
At King’s Land Siding, we provide post-storm assessments and are experienced in identifying all categories of siding damage that insurers need to see documented.
Step 5: The Adjuster Inspection
When the adjuster visits, you have every right to be present and to accompany them on their inspection. Best practices:
- Be home for the inspection if at all possible
- Have your documentation ready — photos, video, contractor assessment
- Walk the full exterior with the adjuster and point out everything you’ve identified
- Ask questions: What damage are they noting? What’s included in the estimate? What’s the next step?
- Get the adjuster’s assessment in writing before the inspection ends if possible
If you have a contractor present for the inspection, they can identify specific items the adjuster might otherwise miss. King’s Land Siding will accompany homeowners on adjuster inspections at no charge.
Step 6: Review the Settlement Offer
Once the adjuster completes their report, you’ll receive a written scope of loss and a settlement offer. Review it carefully:
Check these items:
- Does the scope include all elevations with documented damage?
- Is the material specified the same product line as your current siding (or equivalent quality)?
- Is the settlement ACV or RCV? (If ACV, check your policy — you may have RCV coverage)
- Does the scope include removal and disposal of damaged material?
- Does it include house wrap replacement if needed?
If the offer seems low:
- Contact your broker and ask for clarification
- Provide your independent contractor assessment
- Request a re-inspection if you believe damage was missed
- Ask specifically about the “matching” provision — if your siding cannot be matched due to discontinued product or fading, you may be entitled to broader replacement
Step 7: Selecting Your Repair Contractor
Once your claim is approved and settlement offer is acceptable, choose your repair contractor based on:
- Local Calgary presence and verifiable references
- WCB coverage and liability insurance ($2M minimum)
- Experience specifically with hail damage repairs and insurance work
- Ability to match your existing siding or supply replacement product
- Written contract specifying the approved scope
Important: Never sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB). Pay the contractor from your settlement proceeds — not through an AOB document that transfers your policy rights.
Understanding Alberta’s “Matching” Provision
Alberta insurance law recognizes that when damaged siding cannot be reasonably matched — because the product is discontinued, or the color has faded significantly over years — policyholders may be entitled to broader replacement rather than mismatched repair.
This is worth knowing if:
- Your siding is 10+ years old and the color is no longer available
- Your siding has faded and new panels would visibly mismatched
Discuss this explicitly with your broker before accepting a partial repair settlement. A reputable contractor can document the matching issue in writing to support your claim.
King’s Land Siding has helped hundreds of Calgary homeowners through the hail claim and repair process. We work ethically alongside adjusters, never pressure homeowners, and ensure the repair restores your home properly. Call (403) 555-0190 or request your hail assessment.