Hail Damage Roof Repair in Shreveport & Bossier City, LA

Every spring, strong thunderstorms roll across Northwest Louisiana and drop hail on Shreveport, Bossier City, and the towns around them. A storm can pass in ten minutes and leave behind roof damage that stays hidden for months — until a ceiling stain shows up or a leak starts during the next heavy rain. By then, your insurance filing window may be closing.

Indemnity Roofing is a Louisiana-licensed roofer (License #76747) based at 9140 Newcastle Drive in Shreveport. Storm damage is the work we do most. This page explains what hail and wind do to a roof in our area, how to spot the warning signs, what to do in the first few days after a storm, and how the repair and insurance process works.

Why storms are so hard on Shreveport-Bossier roofs

Our part of Louisiana sits in a path that severe spring storms travel through year after year. Warm, humid air from the Gulf meets cooler, drier air moving in from Texas and the Plains, and that mix builds the tall thunderstorms that produce hail, straight-line winds, and heavy rain.

Hail season runs mainly from March through June, with the most activity in spring. Hail can still fall in late summer and fall when strong fronts come through.
Straight-line winds from thunderstorms can be as damaging as a weak tornado. They lift shingles, break the seal that holds them down, and tear off ridge caps.
Heat and humidity make damage worse. Once hail knocks granules off a shingle, the Louisiana sun bakes the exposed asphalt. A bruise that looks minor in April can crack and leak by August.
Tall pines and oaks across Shreveport, Bossier, and Benton drop limbs during high winds, puncturing decking and damaging gutters.

Put together, that means a roof in Shreveport-Bossier takes more punishment than a roof in a milder climate. It also means storm damage is often covered by homeowners insurance, because it's sudden damage from weather rather than normal wear and tear.

What hail damage actually looks like

Homeowners usually expect hail damage to look like holes or missing shingles. Most of the time it doesn't. Here's what our inspectors look for on each part of the roof.

Asphalt shingles

Bruises or soft spots. A hailstone can crack the fiberglass mat inside a shingle without breaking the surface. The spot feels soft when pressed, like a bruise on an apple.
Granule loss in round patches. Dark, circular spots where the protective granules were knocked off. Granule loss in random round patches points to hail; even wear across the whole roof points to age.
Cracks and fractures, especially on older, brittle shingles.
Granules piled in gutters and at the bottom of downspouts after a storm.

Metal roofs and metal parts of any roof

Dents in metal roof panels. Some dents are cosmetic; others break the paint finish or loosen fasteners and let water in.
Dents on soft metals — roof vents, pipe boots, flashing, gutters, and downspouts. These dents are important evidence. They show the size and direction of the hail, which helps the insurance adjuster connect the damage to a specific storm.
Dented AC unit fins, mailboxes, and fences. We photograph this "collateral damage" too, because it supports your claim.

Wind damage

Creased shingles. Wind lifts a shingle and folds it back, leaving a crease line across it. A creased shingle has lost its seal and will blow off in the next storm.
Missing shingles and ridge caps, usually on the side of the roof that faced the wind.
Lifted or loose flashing around chimneys, walls, and skylights.

How big does hail have to be?

Hail around one inch across — about the size of a quarter — can damage asphalt shingles, especially on roofs more than ten years old. Golf-ball-sized hail (1¾ inches) and larger can damage almost any roof. Even smaller hail can dent gutters and vents and strip granules when it's driven by strong wind. If you saw quarter-sized hail or bigger at your house, get the roof checked.

Why you can't judge storm damage from the ground

From the driveway, a hail-damaged roof usually looks fine. The bruises are small, the granule loss blends in, and a creased shingle can lie flat until the wind catches it again.

That's why so many homeowners in Shreveport and Bossier City don't find out they have damage until a leak appears months later. By then the insurance company may question whether the damage came from the storm, and some policies have deadlines for reporting it.

Please don't climb onto your roof to check. Wet or damaged shingles are slippery, and falls from roofs cause serious injuries every year. A free professional inspection is safer and far more thorough.

What to do in the first 48 hours after a storm

Stay safe. Stay away from downed power lines and don't go on the roof.
Take photos from the ground. Photograph hail on the lawn (put a coin next to it for size), dented gutters, downspouts, AC units, cars, and any shingles in the yard. Write down the date and time of the storm.
Check inside. Look at ceilings and around the tops of walls for water stains. If you can, check the attic with a flashlight for wet insulation or daylight through the decking.
Stop active leaks. Put buckets under drips and move belongings. If water is coming in, call us about an emergency tarp. Keep receipts — reasonable emergency repairs to prevent more damage are usually part of a claim.
Schedule a free inspection before you call your insurance company. That way you'll know whether there's real damage worth filing on, and you'll have photos and a written report ready.
Be careful who you sign with. See the storm-chaser checklist below.

Our free storm damage inspection

Every storm inspection from Indemnity Roofing follows the same thorough process:

Exterior walk-around. We check gutters, downspouts, siding, windows, screens, fences, and AC units for hail marks that show storm size and direction.
Full roof inspection. An inspector walks every slope, marks hail hits with chalk, and checks for creased, lifted, and missing shingles.
Test squares. We mark off sample areas on each side of the roof and count hits, the same method many insurance adjusters use.
Soft metals and flashing. Vents, pipe boots, valleys, chimney flashing, and ridge caps all get checked.
Attic check for leaks, wet insulation, and damaged decking where we can access it.
Written, photo-documented report. You get a Storm Inspection & Insurance Report with labeled photos of every slope and a plain-English summary of what we found.

If we don't find storm damage, we'll tell you that honestly. Not every storm damages every roof, and we'd rather earn your trust than sell you a roof you don't need.

Repair or full replacement?

Not every storm means a new roof. Here's how we help you decide:

Repair usually makes sense when damage is limited to a few shingles, a vent, or a section of flashing, and the rest of the roof is in good shape.
Replacement usually makes sense when hail hits are spread across most slopes, when the roof was already aging, or when your shingles are discontinued and new ones won't match.
Insurance often decides the scope. If the adjuster agrees the damage is widespread, your policy may cover a full roof replacement minus your deductible.

For smaller problems, see our roof repair services.

Storm damage and your insurance claim

Hail and wind damage is usually covered by standard homeowners insurance in Louisiana. The key is good documentation and reporting it promptly. Here's how we help:

We provide the photo report your insurance company needs to see.
We meet your adjuster at your home and walk the roof with them so nothing gets missed.
If the adjuster's estimate leaves out items like drip edge, vents, or damaged decking, we document them and send the information so the estimate can be updated.
Once the work is done, we send the final invoice so any held-back depreciation can be released.

A few Louisiana-specific points worth knowing: you have the right to choose your own licensed contractor; many policies have a separate, higher deductible for hurricanes and named storms, while everyday hail and wind usually fall under your regular deductible; and it is illegal for a contractor to waive or "cover" your deductible. Our Louisiana Roof Insurance Claim Guide walks through the whole process step by step. You can also learn more about our insurance claim help.

How to spot a storm chaser

After every big hailstorm, out-of-town crews knock on doors across Shreveport and Bossier City. Some do fine work, but many are gone before warranty problems show up. Before you sign anything, check:

A local address you can visit. Ours is 9140 Newcastle Drive, Shreveport.
A Louisiana contractor license. You can look it up on the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors website. Ours is #76747.
No offer to pay or waive your deductible. That's insurance fraud, and it puts you at risk too.
No pressure to sign on the spot and no large cash payment up front.
Local reviews and a BBB profile. Indemnity Roofing is A+ BBB Accredited.

Storm damage service areas

From our Shreveport office we inspect and repair storm-damaged roofs across Caddo and Bossier Parishes and nearby communities, including Shreveport, Bossier City, Benton, Haughton, Blanchard, and Minden. We also repair hail-damaged roofs in East Texas from our Tyler office, in West Texas from our Midland office, and in South Louisiana from our Baton Rouge office.

Storm & hail damage FAQs

How do I know if hail damaged my roof?

Look for dented gutters, vents, and AC units, granules in your gutters, and water stains on ceilings. Most roof damage can't be seen from the ground, so the only way to know for sure is a professional inspection. Ours is free.

What size hail damages a roof?

Hail about one inch across (quarter size) can damage asphalt shingles, especially older ones. Golf-ball-sized hail and larger can damage almost any roof. Wind-driven smaller hail can still dent metal and strip granules.

Will my insurance pay for hail damage?

Hail and wind damage is usually covered by standard homeowners policies in Louisiana, minus your deductible. Coverage depends on your specific policy, so read your declarations page or ask your agent. We provide the photos and report your insurer needs.

How long do I have to file a storm damage claim?

Policies require prompt notice and list their own deadlines, so check yours and report damage as soon as you know about it. Waiting also makes it harder to prove which storm caused the damage.

Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?

Many homeowners start with a free roof inspection. It tells you whether there's damage worth filing on and gives you documentation before the adjuster visits. Then you report the claim to your insurer.

Can a roofer pay my deductible?

No. Waiving, rebating, or absorbing an insurance deductible is illegal in Louisiana. Your deductible is part of every approved claim, and you're responsible for paying it.

Do you offer emergency roof tarping?

Yes. If a storm leaves your roof open or leaking, call (888) 334-9155 and we'll get it covered to prevent more damage while your claim moves forward.

Get a free storm damage inspection

If a storm has come through your part of Shreveport or Bossier City, don't wait for a leak to tell you there's a problem. Call (888) 334-9155 or request your free inspection online. We'll give you an honest answer and a written report either way.

Hail Damage Roof Repair in Shreveport & Bossier City