Why small hail is totaling roofs
In this video, we sit down with Steve Smith, Director of the Laboratory at HAAG Engineering, to discuss a controversial shift in the insurance industry regarding hail damage. A recent peer-reviewed study from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) is being used to argue that sub-severe hail (less than 1 inch) can cause enough granule loss to justify full roof replacements—even without traditional bruising or leaks.
We dive deep into why this theory is gaining traction, the potential flaws in the IBHS testing methodology, and the massive unintended consequences this could have for homeowners and the insurance market at large.
What You’ll Learn:
The Granule Loss Controversy: How pea-sized hail is now being used as grounds for total roof replacements based on "loss of resilience."
The IBHS Study Explained: A breakdown of the research backing these new damage claims and why it is being adopted by law firms and public adjusters.
HAAG Engineering’s Pushback: Steve Smith explains HAAG’s position paper and highlights concerns regarding the lack of control groups in the IBHS testing protocol.
The Function of Granules: A primer on what shingles are made of and why losing a few granules isn't always a catastrophic event.
Industry Consequences: Why this trend could lead to skyrocketing premiums, higher deductibles, and carriers refusing to write asphalt shingle policies in hail country.
About the Guest:
Steve Smith is the Lab Director at HAAG Engineering with nearly three decades of experience in forensic engineering and roof inspections.
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