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Hailstorms can cause serious damage to Edmonton homes in a matter of minutes. While homeowners often check their roof, siding, gutters, and vehicles after a major storm, windows are another vulnerable part of the property that can suffer significant damage.
Hail can crack or shatter glass, damage window frames and screens, break thermal seals, and cause hidden problems that may not become obvious until weeks or months after the storm.
If your Edmonton home has been affected by hail, you may be wondering:
This guide explains the hail damage window insurance claim process in Edmonton, from the first few minutes after the storm through inspection, insurance approval, window replacement, and final settlement.
Important: Insurance coverage, deductibles, exclusions, claim deadlines, and settlement procedures depend on your specific policy and insurer. Always confirm the details of your coverage directly with your insurance provider or broker.
If hail has damaged your windows, follow these steps:
The most important rule is simple: protect the property from further damage, but document the original damage before you start cleaning or repairing anything.
Your first priority should be safety.
Broken glass can create serious hazards for children, pets, and anyone walking through the affected area. Heavy rain and wind can also enter through damaged windows and cause additional interior damage.
If it is safe to do so, photograph the window before boarding it up or covering it with plastic.
Take photographs from several distances so that you have:
Your insurer may ask you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. However, avoid making permanent repairs before your insurer or contractor has had an opportunity to assess the damage unless emergency circumstances require immediate action.
Good documentation can make the insurance claim process significantly easier.
Don't only photograph the window that appears to be broken. Walk around the entire property and inspect every elevation of the home.
If possible, take wide-angle photographs of:
These photographs provide useful context and can help establish the overall extent of the storm damage.
Take close-up photographs of:
Look for:
Inspect for:
Double- and triple-pane windows can develop failed or broken seals following physical impact.
Look for:
A failed insulated glass seal may not be immediately obvious after a storm.
Don't forget screens.
Hail can cause:
Screens can be damaged even when the glass itself appears intact.
Your insurance company may want information demonstrating that a significant weather event occurred.
If hail is still present, photograph it before it melts.
For example, place hail beside:
Also photograph hail accumulation on:
If available, save relevant weather alerts, photographs, videos, or other records from the day of the storm.
Write down:
Date:
Approximate time:
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Duration:
Approximate hail size:
Observed damage:
Photos/videos taken:
This can make it easier to provide consistent information when speaking with your insurer, broker, adjuster, and contractor.
Once the property is safe and the damage has been documented, contact your insurance provider or broker.
Tell them that your property has sustained hail or windstorm damage and that your windows may have been affected.
Your insurer will explain the next steps and whether an adjuster will inspect the property.
Before proceeding, ask:
Your deductible is the portion of an eligible claim that you are responsible for paying.
Understanding the deductible can help you understand the financial implications of the claim.
Ask whether reasonable emergency measures such as temporary board-up, water mitigation, or emergency glass stabilization are covered.
Do not assume every expense is automatically reimbursable. Get confirmation from your insurer whenever possible.
Ask whether the insurer requires:
Insurance policies can contain specific notice and limitation requirements.
Don't rely on a general "one-year" rule. Check your actual policy and confirm the applicable deadline with your insurer.
Ask your insurer about its contractor network and whether you can select an independent local Edmonton glass or window contractor.
This is one of the most common questions Edmonton homeowners have after a hailstorm.
Insurance companies may recommend preferred or network contractors. However, the process for selecting a contractor can depend on your policy, insurer, and claim circumstances.
Before agreeing to a contractor, ask your insurance company:
"Am I permitted to choose my own licensed and insured window or glass contractor for this claim?"
If you choose an independent contractor, look for a company that:
A roof inspection does not necessarily provide a comprehensive assessment of your windows.
Windows should be inspected separately for both visible and less obvious damage.
A qualified glass or window professional can examine the condition of:
Modern double- and triple-pane windows contain sealed spaces between panes.
A damaged seal can eventually result in:
The problem may not always be immediately visible after the storm.
Some cracks are obvious immediately. Others can be small and difficult to see without close inspection.
Hail impact can damage the frame, sash, cladding, or surrounding components even if the glass itself has not shattered.
Test whether each affected window:
Do not force a damaged window open or closed.
A detailed estimate gives your insurer and adjuster a clearer understanding of what is required.
A professional window estimate should identify relevant details such as:
Instead of simply stating:
"Replace 5 windows — $X"
a detailed estimate can explain what is damaged, what needs to be replaced, and why the proposed work is necessary.
This can make communication between the contractor, homeowner, and adjuster much easier.
After your insurance inspection, your insurer may provide a scope of work or estimate outlining the damage it has accepted.
Read it carefully.
Compare it with your contractor's inspection.
If your contractor identifies damage that does not appear in the insurer's scope, ask the contractor to explain the discrepancy.
Your contractor may be able to provide additional measurements, photographs, technical information, or an estimate to your adjuster for consideration.
This can happen, particularly after widespread hailstorms when large numbers of properties are being inspected.
Don't assume that damage not included in the initial scope can never be addressed.
Instead:
Keep all communication and documentation related to the claim.
The exact settlement structure depends on your policy and insurer.
Your claim may involve concepts such as:
This generally reflects the value of the damaged property after applicable depreciation.
Some policies provide replacement-cost coverage subject to the policy's conditions and limits.
Depending on the policy and claim, a portion of the settlement may be withheld until eligible repairs or replacement are completed.
Do not assume that every Edmonton hail damage claim will be paid in two installments or that depreciation will always be recoverable. Your insurance policy determines how your claim is settled.
Ask your adjuster to explain exactly how your settlement will work before authorizing the work.
Once the insurance scope and repair plan are established, the contractor can proceed with the approved work.
Depending on the damage, the solution may involve:
Not every hail-damaged window needs to be completely replaced.
A professional assessment can help determine whether glass replacement, sealed-unit replacement, component repair, or complete window replacement is appropriate.
The contractor confirms the required dimensions and specifications.
Replacement units are ordered according to the required:
The damaged component is removed and the new unit is installed.
The technician checks:
Keep:
Submit any documents your insurer requests to complete the claim.
| Step | What to Do | Recommended Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Safety | Keep people away from broken glass and secure dangerous openings | Immediately |
| 2. Mitigate | Prevent additional rain, wind, or security damage | Immediately |
| 3. Document | Photograph glass, frames, screens, hail, and surrounding property | Same day |
| 4. Report | Contact your insurer or broker and open the claim | As soon as practical |
| 5. Inspect | Arrange a professional window/glass inspection | As soon as practical |
| 6. Estimate | Obtain a detailed, itemized repair/replacement estimate | After inspection |
| 7. Compare | Review your contractor's findings against the insurer's scope | During claim review |
| 8. Repair | Complete approved repairs or replacements | After authorization |
| 9. Document Completion | Keep invoices, receipts, photos, and warranties | After installation |
| 10. Finalize | Submit required documentation and confirm claim closure | After completion |
Hail damage may be covered under a homeowner's insurance policy, but coverage depends on the specific policy, deductible, exclusions, limits, and circumstances of the loss.
Contact your insurer or broker to confirm your coverage.
Potentially. If the damage is covered, the insurer will determine the eligible repair or replacement amount according to the terms of your policy.
The final settlement may depend on factors such as the type of coverage, deductible, depreciation, and whether repair or replacement is appropriate.
No.
Hail can potentially damage window frames, screens, cladding, hardware, and insulated glass seals without completely shattering the glass.
That's why a professional inspection can be useful after a major hailstorm.
Yes. Hail can damage insulated double-pane glass units.
Even when both panes do not immediately shatter, impact can potentially contribute to damage to the sealed unit or surrounding components.
Common signs include:
A professional can assess whether the insulated glass unit requires replacement.
Generally, you should document the damage and contact your insurer before undertaking permanent repairs, unless immediate action is necessary to protect people or prevent additional property damage.
Emergency stabilization may be appropriate when a broken window leaves your home exposed.
Always keep photographs, invoices, and receipts for emergency work and confirm requirements with your insurer.
In many cases, homeowners can obtain an estimate from a contractor of their choice, subject to the insurer's claim process and requirements.
Ask your insurer whether it accepts independent contractor estimates and what information should be included.
There is no single timeframe.
Claims can take longer after major hailstorms because insurers, adjusters, contractors, manufacturers, and restoration companies may be handling a large number of properties simultaneously.
The complexity of the damage, availability of replacement windows, insurance review, and scope disagreements can also affect the timeline.
If the window is unsafe or exposed to the weather:
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make after a hailstorm is assuming that "the glass isn't shattered, so the window is fine."
Modern windows contain multiple components that can be damaged independently.
A professional inspection can identify problems involving the glass, sealed units, frames, screens, hardware, and operation of the window.
This is particularly important after a severe storm because some issues may become more noticeable later.
Edmonton's summer storm season can produce sudden and localized severe weather.
Before hail season:
Look for:
Keep your:
readily available.
Having pre-storm photographs can provide useful documentation of the property's condition before a loss.
Save the contact information for a local Edmonton glass and window company before an emergency occurs.
After a major hailstorm, homeowners need more than simply a replacement pane of glass. They need a contractor who understands the window, the damage, the installation requirements, and the documentation involved in an insurance claim.
Anbes Glass & Windows provides glass and window services for Edmonton homeowners, including:
We can provide detailed estimates and documentation to help homeowners communicate the required repair or replacement work to their insurance company.
When a broken window leaves your home exposed or creates a safety concern, prompt stabilization can help protect your property from further damage.
Depending on the condition of your window, services can include:
Working with a local window and glass company can make communication, inspections, measurements, and follow-up easier throughout the restoration process.
If your windows were damaged by hail, don't ignore cracks, broken seals, damaged screens, or window operating problems simply because the damage appears minor.
Start by documenting the damage and contacting your insurance provider. Then arrange a professional window inspection to determine exactly what needs to be repaired or replaced.
Address: 12529 127 St, Edmonton, AB T5L 1A3
Phone: +1 (825) 865-7875
Email: anbesglassandwindows.ca@gmail.com
Service: Edmonton and surrounding areas
Request an estimate from Anbes Glass & Windows for hail-damaged windows, emergency glass replacement, or insurance-related window repairs.
Hailstorm → Safety → Photograph Damage → Prevent Further Damage → Contact Insurance → Professional Window Inspection → Detailed Estimate → Adjuster Review → Approval → Window Repair/Replacement → Final Documentation
If you're dealing with hail damage right now, don't wait for a small crack, damaged seal, or fogged window to become a larger problem. Document it, report it, and have the window professionally assessed.
