Hail verdicts turn on one distinction: functional versus cosmetic. On shingles, functional hail fractures or bruises the mat under the granules, felt as a soft, crushed spot, and it shortens the roof's life whether or not it leaks today. On metal, dents that do not breach seams, fasteners, or coating are usually cosmetic, however dramatic they look from the ladder.
Conroe's hail guide turns on the Class 4 question. On standard shingles, functional hail bruises the mat and shortens the roof's life whether or not it leaks today, and test squares are how the count is proven. On Class 4 impact resistant shingles, the same storm may leave marks without functional damage, which is precisely the trade the local default recommendation is making: pay for the rating before the storm, argue less after it.
Adjusters evaluate hail in test squares: a marked 10 by 10 foot area per slope, hits counted and photographed, with soft metal damage (vents, flashing, gutters) as supporting evidence. A roofer's inspection that follows the same method produces a record your insurer can actually use.
Timing matters twice: policies set windows for reporting storm damage, and bruised mats weather faster after the hit. An inspection within days of a named storm, with dated photos, is the difference between a documented claim and an argument about an old roof.
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