Hail Damage Siding Repair in Wichita, KS

Hail is a fact of life around Wichita

Kansas ranked sixth among states for hail-related insurance claims from 2017 through 2019, with 147,793 claims, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB, 2017-2019 U.S. hail loss claims). The National Weather Service counts hail of 1 inch (quarter size) or larger as severe (National Weather Service, what makes a storm severe), and Wichita-area storms regularly produce it. Spring and early summer bring most of the big storms, but damaging hail can fall from early spring into fall.

Hail usually comes in on the wind, so the damage is uneven: the walls facing the storm (often west or north, but it varies) can be badly hit while the opposite side of the house is untouched. Fences, decks, window screens, gutters, downspouts and air-conditioner fins on the same side are good clues to which walls to check closely.

What hail damage looks like on each type of siding

• Vinyl: cracks, holes and punctures, often radiating from the impact point, and broken corners on lap edges. Vinyl is stiffer in cold weather, so a storm on a cool day tends to crack more panels. Fading can make old impact marks harder to see; look at a low angle with the sun across the wall.
• Steel and aluminum: round dents. They may not leak, but they are permanent and visible, and on steel a strike can crack the paint finish.
• Fiber cement: it resists small hail well, but large stones can chip paint, crack boards, or break corners and edges, especially at the bottom edge of each course.
• LP SmartSide and wood: dents and crushed fibers, cracked or chipped paint. Open spots in the paint let moisture into the wood fibers, so they need prompt attention.
• Trim, soffit and fascia: dented aluminum fascia wrap and gutters, cracked vinyl soffit and split window trim. See soffit and fascia.

Step by step after a hailstorm

1. Stay safe. Watch for broken glass, sharp siding edges, downed lines and loose gutters. Do not climb onto the roof.
2. Document before anything is fixed. Take wide shots of every side of the house and close-ups of damage, with something for scale. Photograph the hailstones if you can (next to a coin or ruler) and note the date and time of the storm. The Kansas Insurance Department recommends taking photos before any permanent repairs (Kansas Insurance Department, "After the storm").
3. Prevent further damage. Cover holes and missing panels with plastic sheeting. Keep receipts for temporary repairs; they may be reimbursable under your policy.
4. Call your agent or insurer. Report the claim and ask about your deductible (many Kansas policies have a separate wind and hail deductible, often a percentage of the dwelling coverage), whether the policy pays replacement cost or actual cash value, and whether cosmetic damage is covered.
5. Get an independent inspection and written estimate from a local siding contractor. A contractor can be present for the adjuster's inspection if you want, but you stay in charge of your claim.
6. Compare the adjuster's estimate with the contractor's scope. Differences are common: matching, trim, house wrap, and code-required items. Ask your insurer how to submit a supplement for items that were missed.

The full walkthrough is in how to file a hail damage siding claim in Kansas.

Matching and partial replacement

A frequent question after hail is what happens when only one or two walls are damaged and the replacement siding will not match the rest of the house. How that is handled depends on your policy language and your insurer; there is no single rule. Document why a match is not possible (discontinued product, faded color, different profile), and ask your insurer and agent how your policy treats it. The siding insurance claims page explains the terms you will see.

Watch out for storm chasers

Big hailstorms bring door knockers, out-of-town trucks and flyers within days. Some are legitimate; some are not. The Kansas Insurance Department warns homeowners to get more than one bid and to be very skeptical of a contractor who pressures you to sign over your insurance benefits (Kansas Insurance Department, "After the storm"). A few Kansas protections to know:

• Assignment of benefits. Under K.S.A. 50-6,143, an assignment of your insurance benefits to a residential contractor must include a specific written notice, and you have the right to cancel it within five business days after signing (K.S.A. 50-6,143 (assignment of insurance benefits to a contractor)).
• Door-to-door sales. For door-to-door sales covered by K.S.A. 50-640, you can cancel until midnight of the third business day after signing, and the seller must give you a written notice of that right (K.S.A. 50-640 (door-to-door sales, three-day cancellation)).
• Local licensing. In Wichita and other MABCD areas, siding contractors are licensed through MABCD, and contractors doing roofing must also be registered with the Kansas Attorney General (MABCD, contractor licensing; Kansas Attorney General, roofing contractor registration).
• Deductible offers. Be wary of any offer to "cover" or "waive" your deductible. Your deductible is part of your insurance contract, and an estimate built around hiding it is a red flag.

More in how to spot storm chasers in Kansas.

Choosing siding that handles hail better

If you are replacing siding after a storm, it is a chance to choose something tougher. Thicker vinyl and insulated vinyl resist cracking better than thin builder-grade panels; fiber cement shrugs off small hail; steel resists punctures but can dent. See the best siding for hail in Kansas. If your insurer pays to replace like kind and quality, an upgrade to a different material is usually the difference you pay yourself.

How quote requests work

Choose "Hail or storm damage" on the form and add your claim number in the details if you have one. We will call you back to set up an inspection and a free written estimate. You remain in control of your insurance claim.

What does it cost? See published national ranges for hail damage siding in the siding cost guide. They are general industry estimates, not quotes.

Related guides

• How to File a Hail Damage Siding Claim in Kansas
• How to Choose a Siding Contractor in Wichita
• Siding Repair vs. Replacement: How to Decide
• 12 Signs It Is Time to Replace Your Siding
• Should You Replace Windows and Siding at the Same Time?
• Best Siding for Hail in Kansas
• Storm Chasers and Door-to-Door Siding Contractors in Kansas

Good to know: Requesting a quote is free and there is no obligation. Ask for a written quote that lists the material, the scope, permits and the warranty terms.