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The May hailstorm that swept through Boerne, Helotes, and the surrounding Hill Country may seem like a memory, but for many homeowners, the damage is just beginning to show. At Palker Law, we’ve helped clients get compensation for losses they didn’t even know they had.

That’s because some of the most costly hail damage hides below the surface, and insurance companies know how to use that to their advantage. If you wait too long, or if your initial claim was underpaid or dismissed as “cosmetic,” it can be difficult to get what you are truly owed. But it’s not too late, and you are not out of options.

What Counts as “Hidden Hail Damage”?

Not all hail damage is obvious the day after the storm. In fact, some of the most serious issues take time to show up. While your roof may have looked fine in early June, it might not stay that way. Moisture can work its way in, shingle layers can separate, and insulation can start to degrade over time, with the root cause being the storm.

By the time visible symptoms emerge, the damage may already be serious. Worse, your insurance company may use that delay to argue the damage wasn’t storm-related, or that your claim is too late.

Here are just a few red flags Boerne homeowners have discovered weeks or even months after a major storm:

• Soft spots or spongy shingles
  These aren’t usually visible, but if your roof feels uneven or soft in places, it often means the underlayment has started to deteriorate, a delayed result of hail impact that cracked shingles without fully puncturing them.
• Ceiling leaks or attic moisture
  Leaks rarely appear immediately. Hail-damaged roofs may hold for a few heavy rains, then suddenly fail. By the time you notice ceiling stains or attic condensation, water may have been intruding for weeks.
• Cracked sealant or lifted flashing
  Small gaps around vents and chimneys don’t always open up during the storm itself, but if flashing was weakened or warped, it may gradually pull away and cause slow leaks long after the clouds clear.
• Granule loss
  If your gutters keep filling with shingle granules long after the storm, it’s not normal wear and tear; it’s a sign that hail strikes loosened those granules, leaving your roof exposed to UV damage that could shorten its lifespan.

These issues are exactly the kind that insurance companies like to label as pre-existing, cosmetic, or unrelated. Unless you have the evidence to prove otherwise, these labels can lead to an unfairly low payout from your insurance claim. Sometimes, they can form the basis of an outright claim denial.

That is why getting a professional roof inspection now, even if it has been a few months, can make or break your ability to recover compensation.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, hail causes roughly $8–14 billion in annual property damage in the U.S., much of it stemming from roof systems that appear fine on the surface.

Why Delayed Claims Still Matter

Many homeowners believe it’s too late to file if they didn’t catch the damage right away, but under Texas law, insurers must cover storm-related losses if the damage can be tied to a known weather event, regardless of when it is discovered (Tex. Ins. Code §542.056).

Here at Palmer Law, we work closely with trusted inspectors to document and date damage, even months after a storm. That proof can reopen closed claims or form the basis of new ones, especially if your original payout was low or denied altogether.

Don’t assume that a delayed discovery means you are out of luck. You may still have a valid claim, but you need to act before your window to file closes. Texas homeowners generally have up to two years from the date of loss to take legal action.

With the right attorney, that means damage you discover post-storm can still be covered by your insurance, as long as you can link the damage to the original storm.

Why Insurance Companies Push Back

Even when you spot hidden damage, your insurer may try to minimize or dismiss it. Here is how they often respond:

Insurance Company Tactic	What It Means	How Palker Law Responds
Denies “late” claims	Claims it’s been too long since the storm	We prove the damage date with expert evidence
Calls damage “cosmetic”	Says issues don’t affect function	We show how minor issues can lead to costly leaks
Blames pre-existing wear	Says damage was already there	We use roof condition reports to show otherwise
Offers low estimates	Undervalues repair costs	We get independent estimates to challenge them

Delaying action only strengthens their case. The more time that passes, the easier it is for your insurer to say the damage was unrelated to the storm or not covered.

Your Checklist: What to Do Now

Boerne homes require a proactive approach. Here is how to protect your home and your claim  now, and for the future:

• Schedule a professional roof inspection
  Choose a certified inspector who documents damage with photos, measurements, and weather correlation.
• Save all repair receipts and contractor estimates
  Even if you’ve made temporary repairs, documentation helps prove both the cost and the necessity of those repairs.
• Look for attic moisture or water marks
  These signs often appear weeks or months later, but they can be critical to proving interior damage.
• File a supplemental claim if needed
  If your original payout was too low or damage was missed, you can request a re-evaluation, especially if you discover new, storm-related damage.
• Get legal support early
  Our team helps Boerne residents gather the proof insurers require and push back on underpayment.

Palker Law: Your Boerne Hail Damage Claim Lawyer

At Palker Law, we challenge the insurance playbook. For years, we have helped Texas homeowners in storm-prone regions like Boerne and the Hill Country uncover hidden hail damage, prove delayed claims, and fight back against lowball offers or outright denials.

We understand how insurers operate when they think time is on their side. That’s why we step in with inspectors, experts, and legal strategy to level the playing field and restore control to you.

Why Boerne Homeowners Choose Palker:

• Storm Damage Is Our Focus
  We have built our reputation fighting insurance stall tactics and proving damage from hail, wind, and water events across Texas, even when the damage isn’t obvious.
• We Bring the Right Experts
  Our legal team partners with trusted local inspectors and roofing professionals who know how to detect and document late-emerging hail damage.
• We Reopen Closed Claims
  If you accepted a partial payout or were told your damage wasn’t storm-related, you may still have options. We’ve helped clients recover compensation months after the initial event.
• No Upfront Fees
  You won’t pay anything out of pocket. We only get paid if we recover money for you. That’s how confident we are in our process.

Questions? Let’s Talk.

If you’re still unsure whether your Boerne or Helotes property qualifies for a May hail damage claim, we are here to give you clear, honest answers.

Call us or send a message today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will help you evaluate your roof, your rights, and your best path forward.

Your home deserves protection. Your damage deserves proof. And you deserve every dollar your policy promised.