If hail just hit your RV, do four things in the first 48 hours: document every dent with photos, get the rig under cover, file your insurance claim, and book a professional inspection. Moving fast on RV hail damage repair is what keeps a cosmetic dent from becoming a roof leak and protects your insurance claim while the evidence is fresh. San Diego RV Center has restored storm-damaged motorhomes and travel trailers in El Cajon and across San Diego County since 1990, and the owners who act quickly almost always come out ahead.
Hour One: Document Everything
Before you move or clean anything, photograph the damage thoroughly. Take clear, well-lit photos and video of every dent, crack, and impact mark on the roof, the AC shroud, vents, skylights, and sidewalls. Capture the hailstones on the ground too, since they help establish the storm event.
This documentation is the foundation of your claim. Insurance adjusters rely on dated, detailed evidence, and the first 48 hours is when it is most credible. Get up high enough to shoot the roof safely, or use a ladder and a phone on a pole, but never climb a roof you are not sure is stable after impact.
Why Hail Hits RVs So Hard
RV roofs sit high, lie flat, and carry vulnerable hardware, which makes them prime targets. According to the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, golf-ball-sized hail can fall at 44 to 72 mph, and larger stones reach 100 mph. That is enough force to dent metal, crack fiberglass, and split sealant in seconds.
The damage that worries us most is not the dent you can see. It is the cracked seal or hairline split you cannot, because that is where water gets in. A roof that looks merely dimpled can be leaking by the next rain, which is why an inspection matters even when the damage seems cosmetic.
The First 48 Hours: Your Action List
Work through these in order. Each one protects either your RV or your claim, and timing is what makes them count.
- Photograph all damage before touching anything, including the hail on the ground.
- Get the rig covered if more weather is coming, using a tarp over the roof to stop water intrusion.
- Call your insurer and open the claim while the storm is documented and recent.
- Schedule a professional inspection so you have a detailed repair estimate for the adjuster.
- Keep every record, including photos, the policy, the estimate, and all correspondence.
Filing the Insurance Claim
Hail is typically covered under comprehensive RV coverage, not collision. Progressive notes that comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace a motorhome or travel trailer damaged by hail, minus your deductible. It comes standard on most travel-trailer policies and is optional on motorhome policies unless the rig is financed.
Submit your documentation as soon as possible: the photos, your policy details, and a repair estimate. An adjuster will usually inspect the rig in person, and it helps to be present so you can point out everything the storm caused. Our insurance and warranty page explains how we work directly with carriers to keep that process moving.
Why a Professional Estimate Protects You
A reputable shop gives the adjuster a detailed, itemized estimate, and that document carries weight. It also catches the hidden damage an owner walking the lot would miss, the cracked seals and stressed seams that our RV roof repair team knows turn into leaks. Pairing your photos with a professional assessment is the strongest version of a claim.
Our collision and body repair team handles storm damage from the roof down, and we know how to write an estimate an adjuster will accept. If the impact reaches the structure, our guide on roof repair vs. replacement explains how we decide which way the job goes. Get your storm damage inspected before the next rain.
Don’t Let a Dent Become a Leak
The mistake we see most often is owners who treat hail damage as purely cosmetic and put off the repair. Then the rainy season arrives, water finds the cracked seal, and a covered hail claim becomes an uncovered water-damage rebuild. The window to act is now, while the cause is documented and the roof is still dry.
Even small impacts deserve a look, because a compromised seal can fail months later. If you spot any of the early signs your roof needs professional sealing after a storm, do not wait. A coverage option worth asking about for storm-prone owners is our lifetime-warranty roof replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover RV hail damage?
Hail damage is typically covered under comprehensive RV coverage, minus your deductible. It is standard on most travel-trailer policies and optional on motorhome policies unless the rig is financed. Check your specific policy and file promptly with full documentation.
What should I do first after my RV is hit by hail?
Photograph all the damage before moving or cleaning anything, then cover the roof if more weather is coming. Next, call your insurer to open the claim and schedule a professional inspection. Speed protects both your rig and your claim.
Is cosmetic hail damage worth repairing?
Yes, because hail often cracks seals and seams that are not obviously damaged, and those turn into leaks. An inspection finds the hidden problems while a hail claim still covers them. Waiting can turn a covered repair into an uncovered water-damage job.
How fast can San Diego RV Center inspect hail damage?
Bring your rig to our El Cajon shop and we will inspect it and write an itemized estimate for your adjuster. We work directly with insurers to keep the claim moving. Contact us right away so the repair starts before the next rain.
Hit by Hail? Don’t Wait for the Next Storm
Document it, then bring it to us. Our El Cajon team inspects storm damage, writes an adjuster-ready estimate, and works with your insurer.
Schedule a hail damage inspection or call us at (619) 561-3531.