How to File a Hail Damage Insurance Claim With SGI: A Step-by-Step Guide for Regina Homeowners
If hail has just come through Regina, whether your home is in Normanview West, Lakeview, or anywhere else in the city, and your roof, siding, or eavestroughs took a hit, the next few days matter more than most homeowners realize. What you document, who you call first, and how you handle the adjuster inspection can all affect whether your claim goes smoothly or drags on for months.
This guide walks through the actual SGI CANADA claims process for property damage, step by step, based on how it plays out for homeowners in Regina and across Saskatchewan.
What to Do Before You Call Anyone
Confirm It's Safe to Assess the Damage
Don't climb onto your roof. Wet shingles, hail-slicked surfaces, and hidden weak spots make roof inspections genuinely dangerous, even for an experienced homeowner. Stay on the ground and look for what you can safely observe: dented eavestroughs and downspouts, cracked or knocked-loose siding panels, damaged window screens, and granules collecting at the base of your downspouts.
What Counts as Hail Damage (and What Doesn't)
Not every mark on your roof is a claimable damage. Hail typically causes:
- Bruised or dented shingles (often invisible from the ground)
- Cracked or split siding panels
- Dented soft metals: eavestroughs, downspouts, vents, flashing
- Broken or cracked window screens and skylights
Cosmetic granule loss on its own, without underlying bruising, may not constitute a claim-worthy damage. A qualified roofing contractor can tell the difference between the two.
Step-by-Step: Filing Your SGI Property Claim
Step 1: Document Everything
Before anything is touched, moved, or repaired, photograph and video the damage thoroughly: wide shots of each side of the house, close-ups of every damaged panel, dent, or crack, and the date and approximate time of the storm. Keep damaged materials rather than discarding them. If an item must be disposed of for safety reasons, photograph it first and keep a written list.
Step 2: Contact SGI or Your Broker
You can report a property damage claim either directly through SGI CANADA or through your insurance broker, depending on how your policy was set up. Have the date of the storm, a general description of the damage, and your policy number ready.
Step 3: The Adjuster Inspection
SGI will dispatch an adjuster to inspect the property. This is the single most important part of the process, and it's where having your own roofing contractor present makes a measurable difference. If you disagree with the adjuster's assessment, you're not required to simply accept it; your contractor can submit a supplemental estimate with photos and specific line items the original assessment missed.
Step 4: Getting Repair Estimates
Once the claim is approved, get a written, itemized estimate from a licensed local roofing contractor and compare it against the adjuster's scope of work line by line.
Step 5: Choosing a Contractor and Finalizing the Claim
Your insurer does not choose your contractor for you. Once your claim is approved, you're free to select any licensed, insured roofing company you trust. Keep every receipt related to temporary repairs, since most policies reimburse reasonable mitigation expenses.
How Long Do You Have to File?
Saskatchewan homeowners generally have up to two years to file a property damage claim, based on precedent from past Saskatchewan storm events. Filing promptly is still strongly recommended, since damage gets harder to date and verify the longer you wait. Always confirm your specific policy's filing deadline directly with SGI or your broker.
SGI Direct vs. Broker-Filed Claims: What's the Difference
| Filing Through SGI Directly | Filing Through Your Broker | |
|---|---|---|
| Who you contact first | SGI CANADA claims line | Your broker's office |
| Best for | Straightforward, well-documented claims | Complex claims or ongoing broker relationships |
| Advantage | Often faster initial contact | Broker can advocate on your behalf |
Common Mistakes That Slow Down or Weaken a Claim
- Waiting too long to document damage
- Throwing away damaged materials before the adjuster has seen them
- Signing a contract with the first contractor who knocks on your door, see our guide on storm-chaser contractors
- Assuming the adjuster's first estimate is final
- Skipping a professional inspection and relying only on what you can see from the ground
Myths vs. Facts About Filing a Hail Claim
Myth: Filing a claim always raises your premiums.
Fact: This depends on your insurer, your claims history, and the type of claim. Weather-related, area-wide events are often treated differently than at-fault claims, though this varies by policy.
Myth: You have to use whichever contractor the adjuster recommends.
Fact: You choose your own contractor. The adjuster's role is to assess damage and approve a scope of work, not to select who does the repair.
Myth: Minor cosmetic damage is always worth claiming.
Fact: A claim on very minor, purely cosmetic damage may not be worth the administrative effort, and an honest contractor will tell you if your damage doesn't justify a claim.
What If Your Claim Is Underpaid or Denied?
If you believe the settlement doesn't reflect the actual scope of damage, you can request your contractor submit a supplemental estimate with specific photo evidence, ask SGI or your broker for a re-inspection, or escalate through SGI's formal internal review process if a resolution isn't reached.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a roofer to inspect my roof before I file a claim?
It's not mandatory, but it's strongly recommended. A contractor experienced with hail damage can confirm whether the damage is claim-worthy and can attend the adjuster inspection to make sure nothing is missed.
Will my insurance rates go up if I file a hail damage claim?
It depends on your insurer and policy. Area-wide weather events are often treated differently from at-fault claims, but you should confirm this directly with SGI or your broker.
How long does the whole process usually take?
It varies by the scope of damage and how quickly an adjuster can be dispatched after a major regional storm, but a straightforward claim typically moves from filing to adjuster inspection within one to ten days, with repairs following once the scope is approved.
Can I make temporary repairs myself before the adjuster arrives?
Yes, and you generally should if there's an active leak. Reasonable mitigation steps like tarping are typically reimbursable; just photograph the damage first and keep your receipts.
What if the hail damage isn't visible from the ground?
This is common. Hail bruising on shingles is often invisible without a close-up roof inspection, which is exactly why a professional assessment matters even when your roof looks fine.
Related Reading
Beware of Storm-Chaser Contractors After a Regina Hailstorm
What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Hailstorm Hits Your Home
What Regina's Hail Season Does to Your Roof, Siding, and Eavestroughs
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