Hail Damage in Greenville SC: What to Do After a Storm

Greenville sits in one of the Upstate's most active hail corridors. Supercell thunderstorms moving along the I-85 corridor regularly produce golf ball-sized hail that damages roofs across entire neighborhoods. If you've just been through a storm, here's exactly what to do — and what not to do.

Step 1: Don't Climb on Your Roof

This sounds obvious, but every storm season we see homeowners on ladders trying to inspect their own roofs. It's dangerous and unnecessary. A qualified roofer can assess the damage from the ground and from inside your attic. Call a local contractor — not a storm chaser — for a free inspection.

Step 2: Document Everything from the Ground

Walk your property and photograph any visible damage — dented gutters, cracked siding, broken window screens, dents on AC units or cars. These ground-level signs often indicate roof damage above. Take photos with your phone and note the date and time.

Step 3: Check Your Insurance Policy

Most South Carolina homeowners policies cover hail damage, but many have a separate windstorm/hail deductible. This is typically 1-2% of your dwelling value — so on a $400,000 home, your deductible could be $4,000-$8,000, not your standard $1,000. Know this number before you file.

Step 4: Get a Professional Inspection

A legitimate roofing contractor will inspect your roof for free, provide a written damage report with photos, and give you an honest assessment. If there's no damage, a good contractor tells you that. If there is, they'll walk you through your options before you call the insurance company.

Step 5: File the Claim (or Let Your Contractor Help)

You can file the claim yourself, or you can hire a contractor who handles insurance claims. At Legacy Design Group, we manage the entire process — initial documentation, adjuster coordination, supplement filing, and final inspection. Most homeowners never have to call their insurance company directly.

What to Avoid: Storm Chasers

After every major hailstorm, out-of-state crews flood Greenville offering "free" roof inspections. Some are legitimate. Many are not. Red flags include: asking you to sign a contract before the inspection, pressuring you to file a claim immediately, offering to cover your deductible (this is insurance fraud), and having an out-of-state license plate.

The Bottom Line

If you're a homeowner in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, or anywhere in the Upstate and you think you have hail damage, get a local contractor to inspect it for free. Don't pay anyone before they've shown you the damage. And don't let a storm chaser pressure you into a decision you're not ready to make.