Hail and storm insurance claims in San Antonio, translated into plain English.

Bexar County averages 2–4 significant hail events a year, mostly March through May, so most San Antonio roof claims start the same way: a storm passes, and the question becomes whether the damage is functional or cosmetic. That distinction, not the size of the hail, is what determines whether the claim gets paid.

San Antonio's spring hail season also means adjusters here see a high volume of claims in a short window. After a widespread event, carriers deploy catastrophe-team adjusters who may not know your specific neighborhood's typical roof age or construction — an independent inspection from a local roofer before the adjuster arrives carries real weight in that situation.

See our hail damage guide for how to tell functional damage from cosmetic marks, and how big the hail needs to be before it's worth a claim.

The single most important rule

Never sign a contract with a roofer before the insurance decision. Some contractors will ask you to sign an “assignment of benefits” (AOB) or a contingent contract on day one. Don’t. In Texas, you have the legal right to control your claim and your contractor separately.

Watch out for storm chasers

After every major hail event, out-of-state contractors flood Central Texas. They knock doors, offer to “waive your deductible,” and disappear before warranty issues surface. That’s illegal — and you’re the one holding the bag.

Use a licensed, local, manufacturer-certified roofer. Every time. The nuance worth knowing: Texas issues no statewide roofing contractor license, but many municipalities in the San Antonio metro and across Central Texas require contractor registration or licensing at the city level, and that local standing is how permits get pulled. A contractor who cannot pull a permit in your city is telling you something. Alongside that, check for a permanent local address you can drive to, current general liability and workers' compensation certificates, manufacturer certifications you can verify directly with the manufacturer, and a track record you can look up. Here is the compliance detail, including the laws that do apply.