While wildfires and hurricanes dominate headlines, hail damage is emerging as a growing threat to homeowners and insurers. A new report from Cotality shows that more than 43.5 million U.S. properties are at moderate or greater risk from damaging hail. In 2025, the U.S. recorded 142 days of damaging hail-seven more than 2024-and over 600,000 homes were hit by hailstones two inches or larger.
Aging housing stock and shifting residential choices are increasing vulnerability. Texas leads with nearly eight million at-risk properties, facing $3.09 trillion in potential reconstruction costs. A June 2023 storm caused $7 to $10 billion in insured losses, mostly from hail.
The Midwest also faces heightened risks, with cities like Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Denver near major weather zones. Cotality notes that affordability-driven moves often place buyers in higher-risk areas, where resilience is now essential rather than optional.