Hail protection is an important benefit for homes in Iowa and Illinois, where strong spring and summer storms can damage exterior cladding. However, ASCEND’s hail provision is not unlimited storm coverage and should not be described as a hail-proof guarantee.

Contractors, builders, remodelers, and homeowners should understand the hail-size limit, the role of homeowners insurance, the documentation required for a claim, and the costs that are not included.

What Size Hail Is Covered?

The ASCEND warranty applies to qualifying damage caused by hail measuring up to one inch in diameter. Hail larger than one inch falls outside the written hail-protection provision.

One inch is roughly comparable to the diameter of a quarter. That measurement refers to the actual hail associated with the damaging storm—not simply the size of the visible mark left on the cladding.

Does the Warranty Pay for Replacement Material?

Yes. If Associated Materials Innovations determines that the hail claim is valid, it may provide replacement materials for the qualifying damaged ASCEND products.

Replacement material may not be an exact visual match to the original installation. Colors can change slightly through normal weather exposure, and a product, profile, accessory, or color may be modified or discontinued over time.

When the original product is no longer available, the manufacturer may provide a compatible component or another remedy permitted under the written warranty.

Does the Hail Warranty Cover Labor?

No. ASCEND’s hail provision covers qualifying replacement materials only. The property owner is responsible for all other costs associated with replacing hail-damaged cladding.

Why Is Homeowners Insurance Primary?

The ASCEND warranty states that the homeowner’s insurance policy is primary and non-contributory for hail damage. This means the property owner should generally report the loss to the insurance carrier before seeking relief under the ASCEND hail provision.

If the insurance company pays the full cost of the covered hail loss, the manufacturer is not expected to duplicate that payment. If coverage is denied or the insurance payment is less than the full replacement or repair cost, the homeowner may still request consideration under the warranty, subject to all requirements.

What Insurance Documentation May Be Required?

The property owner may be required to provide documentation showing that an insurance claim was submitted and explaining how the carrier resolved it.

• Insurance claim number
• Insurance adjuster’s report
• Coverage approval or denial letter
• Statement of the amount paid by the insurance company
• Repair or replacement estimate
• Photographs of the damaged cladding
• Confirmation that no duplicate hail claims are pending

The property owner may also need to affirm that no other claims for the same hail occurrence were made or remain pending.

How Do You Prove the Hail Was One Inch or Smaller?

The warranty requires reliable third-party evidence that the hail responsible for the damage measured one inch in diameter or less.

The written warranty identifies the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Storm Prediction Center as one example of an acceptable source. The manufacturer may also review other reliable evidence before deciding whether to approve the claim.

Does Every Dent or Mark Count as Hail Damage?

No. A visible mark alone does not automatically establish a valid warranty claim. The manufacturer will determine whether the product was damaged by qualifying hail and whether the condition falls within the written warranty.

Normal weathering, surface dirt, mildew, oxidation, foreign-object impact, improper handling, vandalism, structural movement, and installation defects are separate issues and are not covered as hail damage.

What Hail-Related Damage Is Not Covered?

• Damage caused by hail larger than one inch in diameter
• Damage caused by windblown branches, debris, or foreign objects
• Damage resulting from improper installation
• Damage caused by misuse, abuse, neglect, or improper storage
• Damage to sheathing, framing, windows, roofing, gutters, or other unrelated components
• Labor and installation expenses
• Scaffolding, lift, and access costs
• Incidental or consequential damage to the building or its contents
• Damage from tornadoes, hurricanes, or other violent storms outside the limited hail provision

Does the Hail Provision Cover the Original and Subsequent Owner?

The written hail provision refers to both the original property owner and a qualifying subsequent owner when assigning responsibility for labor and other replacement expenses.

A transferred warranty remains subject to its applicable prorated terms, documentation requirements, exclusions, and claim procedures. Transferability does not create unlimited hail coverage or restart the warranty period.

How Quickly Should a Hail Claim Be Reported?

Warranty claims should be submitted promptly and no later than 30 days after discovering the claimed damage or defect. Waiting too long can make the damage harder to document and may place the claim outside the written procedure.

1. Photograph the exterior before making temporary or permanent repairs.
2. Record the storm date and approximate time.
3. Contact the homeowner’s insurance carrier.
4. Obtain reliable documentation of the hail size.
5. Locate the original invoice and installation information.
6. Submit the warranty claim within the required period.
7. Allow reasonable access for inspection when requested.

Why Contractors Should Explain the Hail Warranty Carefully

Contractors should never describe ASCEND Composite Cladding as hail-proof or imply that every storm repair will be free. The accurate message is that ASCEND includes limited material protection for approved damage caused by hail up to one inch in diameter.

Clear communication protects the contractor’s reputation and helps customers understand the difference between the manufacturer’s material warranty, the contractor’s workmanship warranty, and the homeowner’s insurance policy.

The Bottom Line

ASCEND Composite Cladding includes limited hail protection for approved damage caused by hail measuring one inch in diameter or less. When a claim is accepted, the manufacturer provides qualifying replacement materials only.

Homeowners insurance remains primary, reliable proof of hail size may be required, and the property owner is responsible for labor, removal, reinstallation, access equipment, and all other replacement expenses.