A lot of Celina homeowners are living under their first roof — the one the builder put on. After a hailstorm, that raises a fair question: “The house is only a few years old. Is this a warranty problem or an insurance problem?” Calling the wrong party first can cost you time, and on storm damage, time matters.
This guide explains, in plain terms, how a builder workmanship warranty, a shingle manufacturer warranty, and homeowner’s insurance generally differ, what to do in the days after a storm, and which official Texas resources to read. When you want a roofer to look at the roof itself, start with our storm & hail damage page or a general roof inspection.
Why young roofs still get hail damage
Hail damage is about impact, not age. A two-year-old shingle and a fifteen-year-old shingle both take the hit when a storm cell crosses North Collin County. Newer roofs may hold up better against wear, but they are not immune to:
- Bruised or fractured shingles — impacts that crack the mat or loosen granules, which may not be obvious from the street
- Granule loss — dark spots on shingles or extra grit at downspout outlets after the storm
- Soft-metal dents — roof vents, pipe jacks, flashing, gutters, and downspouts often show the storm first
- Torn or lifted shingles — when wind arrives with the hail
Many production homes are built with standard architectural shingles rather than impact-rated products. That is not a defect — it is simply a product choice — but it means a newer roof should not be assumed “hail-proof.” If you are curious about upgraded products for a future replacement, see our impact-resistant shingles & Texas insurance guide.
Three different documents, three different jobs
Most owners of newer Celina homes have up to three separate documents that touch the roof. They are easy to blur together, but they generally do different things. The descriptions below are general — always read your own documents, because terms vary by builder, product, and policy.
1. Builder (workmanship) warranty
A builder or installer workmanship warranty is generally about how the home was built — for example, a leak traced to flashing that was installed incorrectly. New-home warranty packages can have different coverage periods for different parts of the house, and roof items may fall under a shorter workmanship period than structural items. Look for: what is covered, how long, how to submit a request, whether coverage transfers to a new owner, and the exclusions list. Weather events such as hail are commonly the kind of thing these warranties do not treat as a construction defect — but confirm that in your own booklet.
2. Shingle manufacturer’s limited warranty
The manufacturer’s warranty is generally about the product itself — manufacturing defects in the shingle. Coverage can depend on the specific product line, proper installation and ventilation, and sometimes registration. Many manufacturer warranties list weather events among their exclusions. To read the right one, you need the product name and color, which may be on your closing papers, builder design-center selections, or HOA architectural approval.
The Federal Trade Commission’s consumer guide to warranties is a useful general primer: it advises reading what a written warranty covers and what it does not, noting that some warranties require registration, keeping a copy of the warranty with your proof of purchase, and getting spoken promises in writing.
3. Homeowner’s insurance
Hail is generally treated as a sudden weather event — the kind of loss homeowner’s insurance is designed for, subject to your policy terms and deductible. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) puts it simply on its hail damage page: if you have wind and hail coverage on your home policy, your insurance company should pay for your hail damage, and you should file a claim as soon as you can. TDI also notes on its insurance and your roof page that insurers will not pay for a new roof just because it is old or worn out — coverage is for damage, not age.
Side-by-side (general, not policy-specific)
| Document | Generally aimed at | Who you contact | Have ready |
|---|---|---|---|
| Builder workmanship warranty | Installation / construction defects | Builder warranty department or administrator | Warranty booklet, closing date, photos, leak notes |
| Manufacturer limited warranty | Defects in the roofing product | Manufacturer (per its warranty instructions) | Product name, install date, registration (if any) |
| Homeowner’s insurance | Sudden damage such as hail and wind, per your policy | Your insurance company or agent | Policy number, storm date, photos, inspection notes |
When it is not clear-cut
Real life is messier than a table. A ceiling stain that shows up after a storm on a three-year-old house could be storm damage, an installation issue the rain finally exposed, or both. In that situation, a documented inspection that describes what was found and where helps you decide whom to contact. If you are unsure, it is reasonable to ask both your insurance company and your builder’s warranty department how they want it reported — and to write down who told you what.
One more practical point: before letting anyone other than the original builder or installer repair a roof that is still under a workmanship warranty, check whether your warranty says anything about outside repairs. Some warranties have conditions about who may work on covered items.
What to do after a storm (newer-roof checklist)
- Stay off the roof. Wet shingles, steep pitches, and two-story eaves are a bad combination. Everything below can be done from the ground, a window, or the attic hatch.
- Write down the storm date and time. Your claim and any inspection notes will refer to it. Save weather alerts or texts you received.
- Photograph from ground level. Dents on gutters, downspouts, and roof vents you can see; granules collected at downspout outlets; damaged window screens, fences, patio furniture, or the AC condenser; and any shingle pieces in the yard. Keep photos dated.
- Check inside. Look at ceilings near exterior walls, around chimneys, and under valleys. If the attic hatch is safe to open, use a flashlight to look for wet insulation or drips — do not walk on ceiling joists you cannot see.
- Prevent more damage. TDI recommends temporary steps such as covering openings to keep rain out and saving all receipts, and advises not making permanent repairs before the adjuster sees the damage (see TDI’s help after a storm page). If you have an active leak, our emergency roof tarp guide covers when a professional tarp makes sense.
- Get the roof inspected. Ask a roofer for photos of what they find on each slope, notes on soft metals, and a plain description of whether findings look storm-related or installation-related. You can request a quote through our roof inspection page.
- Check your policy’s claim deadline and deductible. TDI’s home insurance guide says most companies have deadlines for filing a claim and that some policies have a one-year deadline unless you can show good cause for a delay. Do not rely on a neighbor’s timeline — find the deadline in your policy, and look at your declarations page for your wind/hail deductible.
- Contact your insurer if you decide to file. Keep a list of everyone you speak with, be available for the adjuster visit, and point out all the damage you documented.
- Pull your warranty paperwork anyway. Even if the storm is clearly an insurance matter, having the builder booklet and shingle product details on hand helps if an installation issue turns up during the inspection or repair.
Deductibles on newer homes
TDI suggests asking your agent whether your wind and hail deductible is different from the deductible for other kinds of damage, because it can mean more out-of-pocket cost after a storm. On newer, higher-value homes, a wind/hail deductible set as a percentage of the dwelling limit can be larger than owners expect. Knowing that number early helps you decide between a repair and a claim with clear eyes. Our roof insurance claim tips and repair vs. replace guide walk through that decision.
Be cautious with anyone who offers to “take care of” your deductible. TDI states that Texas law makes it illegal for contractors or roofers to offer to waive or rebate a deductible, and that your insurer may ask for proof that you paid it. TDI’s roofing and insurance: know the law sheet also explains that a roofer or contractor cannot act as a public insurance adjuster on a claim for a property where they are doing the work.
Build your “roof file” now
Whether or not a storm has hit yet, a single folder (paper or phone) saves a lot of scrambling later:
- Builder warranty booklet and the date coverage started (usually tied to closing)
- Shingle manufacturer, product line, and color; any warranty registration confirmation
- HOA architectural approval for the current roof, if your community requires it
- Your insurance declarations page (deductibles, replacement cost vs. actual cash value)
- Dated photos of the roof and soft metals in good condition — a “before” set
- Records of any past repairs, warranty requests, or claims
For a full season-long routine, see the Celina hail season homeowner guide. Just bought the home? The home-buyer roof inspection checklist covers what to collect from the builder or seller.
Official Texas resources
- TDI — Hail damage to your home or car? What to do next
- TDI — Insurance and your roof: what to know when buying a policy or filing a claim
- TDI — Home insurance guide (claims, deadlines, and options if you disagree)
- TDI — Help after a storm
- TDI — Get help with an insurance complaint
- FTC — Warranties (general consumer guidance)
TDI also runs a consumer help line listed on those pages if you have questions about your claim or how the process works.
Frequently asked questions
My Celina home is only a few years old. Can the roof really have hail damage?
Yes. Roof age does not stop a hailstone. A newer roof can still show bruised or cracked shingles, granule loss, and dents in soft metal such as vents, flashing, and gutters after a strong storm. Damage is often hard to see from the ground, which is why an inspection after a significant storm is worth considering even on a young roof.
Does my builder warranty cover hail damage?
Usually you should not expect it to, but read your own warranty documents. Builder workmanship warranties are generally written around installation and construction defects, while hail is a weather event that homeowners generally take to their insurance company. Check the coverage and exclusions sections of your builder warranty and call the warranty administrator if anything is unclear.
Does the shingle manufacturer warranty cover hail?
Manufacturer limited warranties are generally aimed at manufacturing defects, and many list weather events among their exclusions. Terms differ by product and by whether the warranty was registered, so find the product name on your closing, builder selection, or HOA approval paperwork and read that manufacturer’s actual warranty.
How long do I have to file a hail claim in Texas?
It depends on your policy. The Texas Department of Insurance says most companies have deadlines for filing a claim and some policies have a one-year deadline unless you can show good cause for the delay. Read your own policy and contact your insurance company as soon as you can after a storm.
Is Celina Roof Pros a roofing contractor or an insurance adjuster?
Neither. Celina Roof Pros is a free referral and quote-request service that connects Celina-area homeowners with independent local roofing contractors. We do not inspect roofs ourselves, adjust claims, or make coverage decisions. Your insurance company decides coverage under your policy.
How Celina Roof Pros fits in
Celina Roof Pros is a homeowner resource and free quote-request service. We connect Celina-area homeowners with independent local roofing contractors — we are not a licensed roofing contractor on this site, we are not an insurance adjuster, and we do not decide whether a warranty or policy covers your roof. When you request a quote, mention the storm date and that your home is newer so the roofer can plan the visit.
Call (469) 453-7096 or request a free quote. Serving Celina, Melissa, Anna, Princeton, and Prosper.
Bottom line
A newer roof can still take hail damage. In general, hail is a weather event you take to your homeowner’s insurance, while builder and manufacturer warranties are aimed at workmanship and product defects — but your own documents decide. Document the storm, stay off the roof, get a clear inspection, check your policy’s deadline and deductible, and keep your warranty paperwork close in case the inspection turns up an installation issue.
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