More than 43.5 million properties across the United States are at risk for hail damage, which could result in an estimated $17.8 trillion in reconstruction cost value, according to a new report.
In its 2026 Severe Convective Storm Risk Report, released on March 24, Cotality, an Irvine, California-based global property data company, noted that hail is one of the country’s most prominent drivers of property insurance claims today. Icy rain can damage roofs, resulting in leaks, cave-ins, mold, and in some cases, destruction of homes. The report notes that aged roofs are more susceptible to hail damage because they are usually more brittle.
Texas leads the nation in hail risk, not only due to its size but also its geographic position related to severe storm activity and housing concentrations, the report says. The Lone Star state has nearly 8 million properties that are at moderate or greater risk to hail damage, carrying nearly $3.1 trillion in reconstruction cost value, followed by Illinois with 3 million properties and $1.5 trillion in reconstruction cost value.
Reconstruction cost value is the estimated cost of rebuilding a home if it’s determined to be a complete loss, according to Cotality.
Additional high-risk states for hail storms include Missouri, Minnesota, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin, Indiana, and North Carolina.
Among metro areas, Chicago ranks at the top of the hail-damage risk list due to the density of its properties. The Windy City carries a reconstruction cost value of $1 trillion. The “Texas triangle,” comprising Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, ranks second among the most vulnerable regions, with a combined reconstruction cost value of more than $2.2 trillion.
According to the report, the financial impact of severe hailstorms rivals that of a Category 4 hurricane—a major tropical cyclone with sustained winds exceeding 130 miles per hour. These storms often cause structural damage and long-term power outages.
Cotality estimated that more than 76 million U.S. homes also face moderate to greater risk from tornadoes, with a combined reconstruction cost value of more than $27 trillion.
In 2023, hail more than 1 inch thick affected more than 680,000 residential homes in Texas, resulting in between $7 billion and $10 billion in insurance losses. The report surmises that had the same situation shifted just 15 to 20 miles north into the heart of the Fort Worth metro area, insured losses would have risen to $11 billion to $30 billion.
“A mere 20-mile shift results in a roughly $19 billion difference in potential claims,” the report states.
According to Cotality, last year, Texas bore the brunt of the nation’s hailstorm damages with more than 235,000 homes affected, followed by Wyoming with more than 41,000 properties. Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Kansas ranked next with about 38,000 properties each.
“Combined, these five states accounted for approximately 66 percent of all U.S. homes impacted by damaging hail in 2025,” the report indicates.
Two-inch hail—about the size of an egg—can be even more damaging, causing shattered windows, skylights, siding, and roofing, as well as broken electrical infrastructure.
As a result, insurance premiums can escalate in storm-prone regions, and the report shows that insurance claims have also become more scrutinized.
“Restoration contractors are increasingly stepping into consulting and appraisal roles to provide independent quantification, forensic data analysis and engineering insights,” the report notes.
The report concludes that homeowners need to become more proactive in protecting their properties against severe weather conditions. This includes upgrading to storm-resistant building materials, updating older homes to comply with modern wind-resistant building codes, and installing impact-resistant shingles.
Permanent storm shutters will also help prevent hail from shattering glass, and hail guards or protective steel grates can be added over exterior mechanical equipment to guard against hail or wind damage.
