In August 2025, a province-wide extreme weather event brought tennis ball-sized hail to Saskatchewan, with Radisson and Langham among the hardest hit communities. The damage to properties was significant, and a stark reminder of how real this risk is for homeowners across the region.
Hailstorms are a near-annual reality in Saskatchewan, so understanding your home insurance coverage is essential. Below, we walk through what our policies cover, what they don’t, how to file a claim, and what you can do now to be better prepared for the next storm.
Is Hail Damage Covered?
Yes. Our policies cover certain damages caused by sudden, unexpected events, and hail falls squarely into that category.
It’s worth noting that basic policies typically don’t cover earthquakes, overland flooding, and sewer backup. Those require separate endorsements or riders.
What Your Policy Does and Doesn’t Cover
What’s Typically Covered
Roof, siding, windows, and exterior structures
Large, fast falling hailstones can crack shingles, damage vents, dent siding panels, and shatter windows. Most policies extend coverage to other structures on your property as well, including detached garages, sheds, fences, decks, and pergolas. Damage caused by falling trees or debris during a hailstorm is also generally covered.
Interior damage and temporary living expenses
If hail compromises your roof or walls and water makes its way inside, the resulting damage to floors, walls, and belongings is typically covered. If the damage is severe enough that you can’t remain in your home during repairs, your policy may also cover temporary living expenses; the amount depends on the severity of the damage and the estimated length of repairs.
What May Not Be Covered
Wear, tear, and deferred maintenance
Before a claim is approved, an inspector will assess the condition of the affected areas. If your roof, siding, windows, or doors were already showing significant deterioration before the storm, those pre-existing issues are unlikely to be covered. Keeping up with routine maintenance isn’t just good practice. It protects your ability to make a claim when it matters.
High deductibles in high-risk regions
Because Saskatchewan is a storm-prone area, hail-related deductibles can often be higher than your standard policy deductible. With some insurance companies, your policy deductible may be $500 or $1,000, while your windstorm and hail deductible could be $2,500. It’s important to know your deductible amounts before you need to make a claim.
Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value: Which Coverage Do You Have?
Not all home insurance payouts are equal, and the difference can be significant after a major hailstorm. Before you need to make a claim, it’s worth understanding how your policy calculates what it owes you.
Replacement cost coverage pays out what it would actually cost to repair or replace damaged parts of your home with new, comparable materials.
Actual cash value (ACV) coverage pays out replacement cost minus depreciation. In practice, this means a roof that was installed 12 years ago might only be valued at a fraction of what a new one costs today. If your home has older roofing or siding, the gap between what you receive and what repairs actually cost can be substantial.
When reviewing your policy, look for which basis applies to your dwelling and your contents separately. If you’re unsure which type you have or whether it still makes sense for your situation, it’s worth a conversation with your broker before storm season arrives.
Why Hail Coverage Matters in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is one of Canada’s most storm-exposed provinces. Hailstorms are most frequent between May and September, and the scale of damage they cause can be substantial. In the second half of June 2025 alone, Western Canada accounted for over 1,000 hail reports.
High-risk areas within the province include Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, and Assiniboia, among others. If you live in or near any of these communities, having hail coverage is essential.
What to Do After a Hailstorm
Once the storm has passed and it’s safe to go outside, take a methodical approach before filing your claim.
Document the Damage Thoroughly
Start from the ground. Walk the perimeter of your home and inspect the siding, windows, doors, and any outbuildings for visible damage. Do not attempt to go up on your roof; loose or broken materials create a serious fall risk. Instead, note anything you can see from ground level and let a professional handle the roof inspection.
Inside the home, check for water intrusion along ceilings, walls, and floors. Then document everything:
- Photograph damage from multiple angles, alternating between wide and close-up shots
- If you can safely collect a hailstone, photograph it next to a ruler to capture its size
- Record the date and time of the storm, wind direction, and when you first noticed the damage
- Keep all photos timestamped
File your claim promptly; most insurers require you to report damage within a specific timeframe.
Work With a Professional Contractor
Hiring a qualified contractor to assess the damage serves two purposes: it ensures nothing gets missed, and it gives you a credible, detailed repair estimate to support your claim. Contractors can safely inspect areas like the roof that you shouldn’t attempt yourself, and their professional assessment carries weight in the claims process.
Be sure to document any temporary repairs you make before the full restoration, since you may be reimbursed for those costs as well.
Getting Ready for the Next Storm
A solid insurance policy is your primary protection, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and protect your ability to make a successful claim:
- Maintain your home regularly. Roofing, siding, windows, and doors that show pre-existing damage or neglect may not be covered when you need them to be. Schedule inspections and address issues before storm season.
- Review your policy annually. Coverage needs change over time. Reviewing your policy each year ensures your protection keeps pace with your property’s value and your circumstances.
- Monitor weather alerts during storm season. Between May and September, stay aware of Environment Canada warnings for your area.
- Manage your property. Trim overhanging branches, clear gutters, and secure loose outdoor items before storms are forecast.
If you have questions about your current coverage or want to make sure your policy reflects your needs before the next storm season, our team at Cooke Insurance is here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will filing a hail claim raise my premium?
It may. Insurers consider your claims history when calculating premiums at renewal, and a hail claim, especially a large one, can result in a higher rate. That said, hail is considered a weather event outside your control, which some insurers weigh differently than claims resulting from negligence.
Can I choose my own contractor for repairs?
In most cases, yes. You are generally entitled to select a licensed contractor of your choosing rather than being limited to an insurer’s preferred network. That said, your insurer may require estimates from multiple contractors or may want to approve the scope of work before repairs begin.
Is there a time limit on filing a hail damage claim?
Yes. Most policies require you to report damage within a reasonable timeframe, often within one year of the event, though some insurers set shorter windows. Filing promptly is always advisable: delays can complicate the assessment process and may give an insurer grounds to question whether additional damage occurred after the storm event.
