Storm damage is the category where homeowners lose the most money, and almost never because of the repair cost. They lose it by waiting too long to document the damage, by missing a policy deadline, or by accepting the first adjuster estimate without knowing what was left out.
We inspect storm-damaged roofs at no cost, document what we find in the detail an insurer requires, and work directly with your carrier on the estimate. Repairs are carried out through licensed roofing partners.
Storm damage you will not see from the ground
Wind and hail damage is frequently invisible from the driveway, which is precisely why so many valid claims are never filed.
- Broken adhesive seals. Wind can lift a shingle enough to break its seal and drop it back into place. It looks fine and will blow off in the next storm.
- Hail bruising. Impact can fracture the mat beneath the surface without cracking the shingle visibly. It is found by feel and by the granule loss pattern.
- Displaced or bent flashing. Ridge caps and flashing take the most direct wind load and move before the field shingles do.
- Impact from debris. A branch that bounced off the roof can puncture the surface in a spot invisible from below.
- Damage to gutters, vents and skylights. Dents on soft metal are often the clearest evidence that hail of a claimable size actually fell at your address.
What to do in the first 48 hours
The order matters, and the first two steps cost nothing.
Photograph everything, from the ground and from inside, including interior stains, fallen debris and dented gutters, with the date visible if your camera supports it. Stop further damage where you safely can — tarping, moving belongings out of a wet room — and keep the receipts, because reasonable mitigation costs are commonly reimbursable. Do not throw away damaged material until it has been inspected and photographed.
Then get an independent inspection before you call your insurer. Knowing the actual scope of damage before the conversation starts is worth more than any step that comes after it.
Deadlines quietly decide claims
Nearly every homeowners policy requires prompt notice of a loss. Some carriers apply specific time limits to wind and hail claims, and several states allow shorter windows for those perils than for other kinds of damage.
Practically, this means a storm you shrugged off in spring can become uninsurable by autumn — not because the damage was not real, but because the notice window closed. If a significant storm hit your area recently, an inspection now costs you nothing and preserves the option.
How we work with your insurance company
We conduct a thorough, no-obligation inspection to assess whether storm, wind or hail damage meets the criteria for a partial or full replacement under your policy. If it does, we work directly with your insurance company on your behalf — handling the paperwork, the estimates and the negotiation.
The value here is mostly in documentation and scope. Adjuster estimates regularly omit items a code-compliant repair actually requires: ice barrier where the local code mandates it, ridge ventilation, drip edge, or the reality that a discontinued shingle cannot be matched on a single slope. Those omissions are negotiable when they are documented, and invisible when they are not.
A warning about storm-chasing contractors
After every major storm, out-of-area crews canvass the neighborhood. Some are legitimate. Many are gone before the first warranty claim.
Be cautious with anyone who pressures you to sign on the spot, offers to waive or absorb your deductible — which is insurance fraud in most states and can invalidate your claim — asks for a large deposit up front, or cannot produce local licensing and insurance. A contractor who will still be reachable in five years is worth more than one who is a few hundred dollars cheaper today.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my roof has storm damage?
Often you cannot tell from the ground. Broken shingle seals and hail bruising are found by inspection, not by looking up. Dented gutters, downspouts or vents are a strong hint that hail large enough to matter fell at your address.
How long do I have to file a storm damage claim?
Policies require prompt notice, and some carriers and states set shorter deadlines specifically for wind and hail. The safe assumption is that waiting reduces your chances. Check your own policy language and act quickly.
Will filing a claim raise my premium?
It can, and it varies by carrier and by claim history. Weather-related claims are generally treated differently from liability claims, but there is no universal answer. If the damage is minor and the repair is close to your deductible, filing may not be worth it — we will tell you when that is the case.
The adjuster approved a repair but my roof needs replacing. Now what?
This is common and it is negotiable. Supplemental documentation — code requirements the estimate omitted, evidence that damage extends beyond the inspected slope, proof the existing shingle is discontinued and cannot be matched — is how scope gets revised. That is the part we handle.
Should I let a contractor handle my claim entirely?
A contractor can document damage, prepare estimates and negotiate scope, which is what we do. Be wary of anyone offering to waive your deductible or asking you to sign over your claim rights before an inspection has even happened.
Related pages
- Roof insurance claim help
- Book a free roof inspection
- Roof repair
- Roof replacement
- Commercial roofing
- All roofing services
- Battery backup for storm outages
- Contact us
Get the damage documented before the window closes
If a storm has come through your area, the inspection is free and there is no obligation to file anything. You will get photographs, a written assessment of whether the damage is likely claimable, and an honest read on whether filing is in your interest.