Hail and storm damage in Omaha: what to do and what Nebraska law says

How often hail hits Omaha

Omaha gets a lot of hail. Stormersite, which compiles Storm Prediction Center reports, rates the area's hail frequency as very high and counted 88 hail reports within 10 miles of Omaha in 2024 and 30 in 2025. The largest in 2025 was 3 inch hail in Ralston on April 24.

Signs of hail damage

What you can check from the ground

• Dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents and the siding.
• Torn window screens or chipped paint on the hail facing side of the house.
• Shingle granules washing out of the downspouts.
• Damage to cars, fences or outdoor furniture from the same storm.

What a roofer looks for

• Dark spots where hail knocked off the granules.
• Cracked, split or punctured shingles.
• Bruised shingles that feel soft when pressed.
• Damaged flashing, vents and skylights.

Don't climb onto a wet or damaged roof. A roof inspection with photos gives your insurer the evidence it needs.

What to do after a hailstorm

1. Stay safe and limit damage. Put buckets under leaks and move belongings away. See what to do about a leak right now.
2. Document everything. Photos of the roof from the ground, gutters, siding, inside ceilings and the date of the storm.
3. Report it to your insurer. Your insurer will prepare its own estimate of the damage.
4. Get written estimates from more than 1 roofer and compare them with the insurer's estimate, as the Nebraska Department of Insurance recommends.
5. Check each roofer in the Nebraska Department of Labor contractor registration search and read their reviews.
6. Read every document before you sign. Especially anything that mentions assignment of benefits or your claim.

Nebraska rules that protect you

• No deductible waivers. Under the Insured Homeowners Protection Act, a residential contractor can't pay, waive or rebate any part of your deductible. The Department of Insurance says you could owe the deductible plus fees and your insurer could cancel or not renew your policy.
• Right to cancel. You can cancel an insurance funded roofing contract in writing until midnight of the third business day after signing, or after your insurer tells you in writing that the claim isn't covered, whichever is later. The contractor must return your deposit.
• No assignment required. A post loss assignment hands your claim to the contractor. The Department of Insurance says a homeowner is not required to sign one, warns that firing the contractor doesn't cancel it, and suggests talking to an attorney first.

Watch out for storm chasers

After big storms, crews from out of state often go door to door. Some do good work; some disappear after collecting a deposit. Warning signs:

• An offer to "take care of" or waive your deductible.
• Pressure to sign today, or to sign an assignment of your claim.
• No local address, or a phone number from another state.
• Not found in the Nebraska Department of Labor contractor registration search.
• A large cash deposit before any materials arrive.

Prefer an established local company? See our comparison of 10 Omaha roofers.

Impact resistant roofing

If you're replacing a roof anyway, consider impact resistant shingles rated Class 3 or Class 4. The Nebraska Department of Insurance says some insurers offer discounts for them, and for homes certified under programs like IBHS FORTIFIED Home. Discounts aren't guaranteed, so ask your insurer what qualifies and keep proof of the installation. See prices in our roof cost guide.

Questions

When is hail season in Omaha?

Hail can fall from March to October, but June is the busiest month. Of the hail reports within 10 miles of Omaha since 2004, 156 came in June, 65 in April and 57 in May, based on Storm Prediction Center data compiled by Stormersite.

How do I know if hail damaged my roof?

From the ground, look for dents in gutters, downspouts, vents and window screens, and for shingle granules collecting at the bottom of downspouts. On the roof itself, hail leaves dark spots where granules were knocked off, and cracked or split shingles. Have a roofer inspect it rather than climbing up yourself.

How long do I have to file a hail claim in Nebraska?

It depends on your policy. Check your policy or call your insurer soon after the storm, because many policies set a time limit for reporting damage.

Should I sign with a roofer who knocks on my door after a storm?

Be careful. Out of town crews often go door to door after big hailstorms. Check the company in the Nebraska Department of Labor contractor registration search, get written estimates, and don't sign any document that assigns your insurance claim to them.

Can a roofer cover my deductible?

No. Nebraska law prohibits residential contractors from paying, waiving or rebating your insurance deductible. The Nebraska Department of Insurance warns that doing so could leave you owing the deductible plus fees and could put your policy at risk.

Related guides

• Roof repair in Omaha
• Roof replacement in Omaha
• Omaha roof cost guide
• Roof inspections
• Compare Omaha roofers

Sources

• Nebraska Department of Insurance: Insured Homeowners Protection Act
• Nebraska Department of Insurance: Notice after the storm
• Nebraska Department of Insurance: Shop smart, save big (October 6, 2025) · resilience discounts
• Stormersite: Hail reports near Omaha, 2025 · based on Storm Prediction Center reports
• Stormersite: Hail reports near Omaha, history since 2004 · monthly totals within 10 miles of Omaha
• Nebraska Department of Labor: Contractor registration search