Siding and Gutter Hail Claim in Minnesota: Step-by-Step

The most under-paid part of a Minnesota hail claim is the siding. Roofs get looked at carefully; elevations get a glance from the driveway. Here is how to run the siding side of a claim properly.

Step 1 — Inspect all four elevations, not just the storm side

Hail travels with wind, so damage concentrates on one or two elevations — but adjusters sometimes pay only the worst side. Document every elevation separately with the compass direction labeled in each photo.

Step 2 — Know what counts as siding damage

Material	Damage signature
Vinyl	Cracks, punctures, chipped bottoms of panels, holes; brittle cracking in cold hail
Steel / aluminum	Dents visible in raking light
LP SmartSide / engineered wood	Chipping, gouges, exposed substrate
Fiber cement	Chips, cracks, chunks knocked from edges
Stucco	Chips, pockmarks, cracked finish coat

Raking-light photos matter. Shoot early morning or late afternoon with the sun at a low angle across the wall — dents invisible at noon appear clearly.

Step 3 — Document the collateral items first

These are the items adjusters accept as proof a hail event occurred with damaging size:

• Gutters and downspouts (dents, dings along the top face)
• Fascia and drip edge
• Window wraps and trim coil
• Garage door panels
• AC condenser fins
• Deck boards, mailbox, grill lid, light fixtures
• Screens and window frames

If these are hit, the siding was hit.

Step 4 — Get a test square on each elevation

Chalk a 10 x 10 foot square on each wall and count impacts inside it, exactly like a roof test square. Photograph the marked square with a tape measure in frame.

Step 5 — The matching issue

This is where most money is won or lost. If damaged panels cannot be matched, the question becomes whether the carrier owes the entire elevation or the entire house.

Situation	What to argue
Siding line discontinued	Full elevation replacement, mismatch is not a repair
Color faded beyond match	Elevation replacement
Wraparound corners with no break line	Adjacent elevation included
Only some panels damaged, product still made	Panel replacement

Ask your contractor to obtain a written discontinuation letter from the manufacturer or supplier. That letter is the single most effective document in a siding claim.

Step 6 — Check the line-item scope for these omissions

• House wrap / weather-resistive barrier replacement
• Foam board or insulation board behind panels
• Trim, corners, J-channel, starter strip
• Detach and reset for shutters, lights, meters, dryer vents
• Gutter and downspout replacement rather than "repair"
• Painting of adjacent trim to match new work
• Debris haul and dump fees

Step 7 — Supplement with photos and code

Submit missing items with photos and the manufacturer letter. Most siding claims settle correctly only after one or two supplements.

Step 8 — Rebuild, invoice, collect depreciation

Same structure as a roof: ACV first, recoverable depreciation after completion. Consider a material upgrade at your own cost — going from vinyl to steel or LP during a covered rebuild is the cheapest time to do it.

Do not wait

Most policies limit how long after the date of loss you can file. If a storm hit your neighborhood in the last year and neighbors got new roofs, have your elevations inspected now.

We document elevations with raking light, pull discontinuation letters, and write the supplement.