Short Answer
No roofing material should be presented as hail-proof. Impact resistance can reduce susceptibility under specified test conditions but does not eliminate the possibility of damage.
Detailed Explanation
Impact-resistant shingles are designed to withstand impacts up to a certain force under controlled test conditions. Real hailstones vary in size, density, and velocity, and large hail can damage any roofing material, including impact-resistant shingles. Impact-resistant shingles may reduce the severity of damage from smaller hail, potentially meaning fewer shingles need replacement after a storm. But they cannot prevent damage from large hail, and no manufacturer or contractor should represent any roofing product as hail-proof. After any significant hailstorm, a professional inspection is recommended regardless of shingle type.
Why It Matters
Believing an impact-resistant roof is hail-proof can lead to skipping post-storm inspections, allowing hidden damage to worsen.