Good Neighbor Stories

State Farm® Paid Over $5.6 Billion in Hail Claims in 2025

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0500

Hail is one of the most frequent and costly weather hazards in the U.S., causing major damage to homes, vehicles, and property. In 2025, State Farm paid out more than $5.6 billion in hail-related claims. Texas led the nation with $1.4 billion in claims, followed by Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma.

March storms have already triggered over 50,000 claims in the Midwest. On March 10 alone, the National Weather Service reported more than 650 hail events across nine states, including Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Iowa—six of the top states for State Farm hail claims paid last year. Hail sizes ranged from quarters to baseballs and even grapefruits.

For millions of homeowners and property owners in hail-prone areas, this underscores the importance of knowing your roof and your insurance policy.

Protect Your Home

When hail strikes, your roof often bears the brunt of the damage, but windows, gutters, and siding are also at risk. Understanding your roof’s age, material, and condition helps determine how it will hold up and what your insurance will cover. For example, a 30-year-old roof is less resilient and may have lower replacement value than a newer one.

Regular maintenance and inspections can reduce damage and costs. Work with your insurance agent to ensure you have the right coverage before a storm hits.

Avoid Contractor Scams

After a hailstorm, it’s common to see contractors canvassing neighborhoods offering repairs. Beware of scams. Always verify a contractor’s license and reputation. Before signing any repair contract, consult your insurer. They can confirm coverage, assess damage, and may offer programs or discounts to ease your recovery. Once you sign a contract, your insurer’s ability to assist may be limited.

Choose Impact-Resistant Materials

Investing in impact-resistant roofing materials can reduce damage and repair costs, especially in hail-prone regions. Replacing wood shingles with durable options may also qualify you for insurance discounts. Check with your agent for eligibility.

By knowing your roof, understanding your policy, avoiding scams, and choosing resilient materials, you can better protect your home and make recovery smoother after hail damage.

Prepare Before the Storm

Before any severe storm approaches, take important and proactive steps to prepare your home and minimize potential damage, help to protect your property, ensure your safety, and reduce the stress and cost of repairs after the storm passes.

Inspect the Roof: Check for loose or damaged shingles and repair them to reduce the risk of hail damage.
Secure Windows and Doors: Make sure windows, doors, and screens are tightly sealed and consider installing storm shutters if available.
Clear Gutters and Drains: Remove debris to prevent water backup and damage during heavy rain.
Trim Trees: Cut back branches that could break and damage your home or vehicles.
Protect Outdoor Items: Bring in or secure patio furniture, grills, and other items that could be damaged or become projectiles.
Check Insurance Coverage: Review your homeowner’s and auto insurance policies to understand your coverage for hail damage.
Document Your Property: Take photos or videos of your home and belongings for insurance purposes in case of damage.

At State Farm, we have helped hundreds of thousands recover from hail damage. By preparing early and staying informed, you can protect your home, reduce stress, and recover with confidence—no matter what the weather brings.

Hail damage increases in 2024: 5 tips to reduce it

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 08:27:26 -0500

In 2024, customers nationwide experienced property damage from severe hail, leading State Farm to pay out more than $3.8 billion for home repairs and over $1.2 billion for auto repairs. With recent devastating storms serving as a reminder, State Farm encourages homeowners to prepare for the spring and hailstorm season by taking preventative measures to minimize damage to their properties.

Hail damage can be reduced with the right preparation.

“Every spring storm season brings its own unique challenges, so it’s important to prepare ahead for what this season will bring,” said State Farm spokesperson Keiana Holleman. “Knowing what’s covered in your policy—and what isn’t—will inform your next steps so you can smoothly recover from any loss from hail damage. Reaching out to your State Farm agent is the best first step in the process.”

1. Create a Home Inventory To Prep for Storms

One way to prepare for spring and hail storm season is to meet with your agent to make sure you understand your policy, take photos or videos of everything in your home, or create a detailed list of your belongings. Having a home inventory at your fingertips can simplify the claims process after a storm.

2. Prepare Before the Storm Hits

When a storm approaches, execute your emergency plan to protect your family and your home. Here’s what to do:

Create a survival kit. Include batteries, flashlights, water, non-perishable food, chargers and first aid supplies.
Bring pets indoors. Ensure the safety of your animals by bringing them inside or another safe space.
Secure outdoor items. Store furniture, potted plants and any valuables inside.

3. Quick Recovery After the Storm

After the storm passes, wait until it’s safe to assess any damage. Hailstorms can damage roofs, decks, outdoor personal property and vehicles parked outside. Document any damage to support your claims. State Farm customers can file claims by contacting their local agent, calling 1-800-SF-CLAIM, visiting statefarm.com or using the State Farm mobile app.

4. Watch Out for Scams

In the aftermath of hailstorms, scams targeting homeowners are common. Before hiring contractors for repairs, do your research to ensure they are licensed and reputable. To add an extra layer of security, contact your local agent for assistance. Taking the time to verify and keeping your insurance agent informed can help protect you from contractor fraud.

5. Consider Upgrading Your Roof

For residents in hail-prone areas, investing in an impact-resistant roof can reduce damage to your home. Replacing wood shingles with more durable materials may save you money in the long run. To learn more about upgrading your roofing, visit Simple Insights - Impact Resistant Roofing Materials or reach out to your local State Farm agent.

By taking the right precautions and being prepared, you can minimize hail damage and ensure a smoother recovery process.

Oh hail we go again

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 08:57:47 -0600

It seems every year hail starts earlier, and hits harder, than the previous year. However, this year State Farm is reporting some good news. The overall reported number of hail claims and cost in 2021 were lower than 2020.

2020	2021
Total Hail Claims Paid \| $3.1B	Total Hail Claims Paid \| $2.5B
Total Hail Claims Count \| 333,000	Total Hail Claims Count \| 255,000

However, it’s not good news all around. Texas, the #1 state for hail claims in 2021, increased in claim cost from $474.6M to $710M in 2021. In that same timeframe, Oklahoma moved into the #3 spot, increasing their overall claim cost from $177M to $202M.

Total Hail Claims Paid | Home & Auto

Texas $710M
Minnesota $253M
Oklahoma $202M
Illinois $187M
Colorado $139.5

Damage from hail stretches from vehicle windshields and sunroofs to gutters, windows, and roofs on homes. In 2021, the average homeowner claim totaled more than $12,000 and the average auto claim came in right at $5,000.

“The time to prepare is now,” said Gina Wilken, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist. “Call your insurance agent and review your coverage. After a hailstorm is not the time to find out your coverage is outdated.”

2020	2021
Total Hail Claims Paid \| $3.1B	Total Hail Claims Paid \| $2.5B
Total Hail Claims Count \| 333,000	Total Hail Claims Count \| 255,000