When hail or hurricanes hit, contractors are often the first to face homeowner calls. But knowing where and when severe weather strikes—and how it will affect materials demand—can give builders and remodelers a crucial edge. That’s where Verisk’s Weather Solutions team comes in.
“We’re focused on creating weather data that mostly addresses the question of what just happened,” explains Tory Farney, vice president of Weather Solutions at Verisk. “By mapping hail and wind events in near real time, carriers and contractors alike can anticipate claims and repairs more accurately”.
Hail Trends: More Storms, More Roofs
Verisk’s radar-based platform shows that while 2025 has produced fewer of the monster 2-inch-plus hailstones seen in 2023, severe hail (1–2 inches) remains widespread. “On average there are 30 to 40 times more one- to two-inch hail events than two-inch-plus,” Farney notes. “If you can repair or replace with materials that withstand hail up to two inches, you cut down on a lot of future damage.”
That message is particularly relevant in growing metros. Cortney Miller, product director at Verisk, points to Dallas–Fort Worth: “Residential exposures increased almost 60% in 2020 compared to 2000. Not only are hail events frequent there, but more homes are sitting in harm’s way.”
Contractors who track these patterns can plan shingle orders and staffing before demand spikes. “If you can get out in front of a big hail event before prices increase, you’re more advantaged,” Farney says.
Hurricanes: A ‘Quiet’ Year Isn’t Always Safe
As of late August, the 2025 Atlantic season has produced six named storms and one major hurricane—about average historically. But Farney cautions against complacency. “If you remember 2024, we only had five named storms through early September. Then activity spiked, with Helene and Milton driving insured losses 50 times greater than what we’ve seen this year so far.”
Warm sea surface temperatures, low wind shear, and the potential for La Niña conditions could still fuel a busy back half of the season. Contractors working along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts should remain alert, not only for storm damage but also for supply chain ripple effects in roofing, siding, and windows.
From Data to Resilience
For builders, weather intelligence isn’t just an insurance tool. Contractors can access Verisk’s maps and property-specific reports directly through Xactimate. Some already use this data to identify neighborhoods hit hardest by hail and proactively offer repairs.
Miller sees even broader potential: “Contractors may not be as familiar with the weather data as they are with the estimating software, but those who use it can visualize storm impacts, order reports, and plan ahead in a way that gives them an advantage.”
The lesson for contractors isn’t just that storms are shifting—it’s that jobsites, supply chains, and customer expectations all shift with them. Weather intelligence can help builders stop chasing damage after the fact and instead shape smarter bids, stock resilient materials, and build neighborhoods that stand up better when the next season rolls in.
“Really, it’s about resilience,” says Farney. “The more we can align building practices with what the weather is telling us, the better positioned contractors will be when the next storm hits.”
Learn how to put weather insights to work in your estimates.
