The storm passed. You go outside, look up, and something is clearly wrong — missing shingles, dented gutters, maybe a branch through the roof. The next 24 hours are critical. What you do (and what you don't do) will directly affect your insurance payout and how quickly your roof gets fixed.
Here's the exact sequence to follow — from the moment the storm ends to the moment a roofer is on your roof.
Document before you do anything else. Call insurance before you call a roofer. Don't sign anything a roofer puts in front of you until you've talked to your insurance adjuster. This order matters more than anything else on this page.
THE 24-HOUR ACTION PLAN — STEP BY STEP
Stay Safe — Don't Go On the Roof
After a major storm, the roof deck may be weakened. Wet shingles are slippery. Wait until a professional can assess it. Your job right now is documentation, not inspection.
Document Everything From the Ground
Take photos and video of all visible damage before anything is moved or covered. Get clear shots of: missing or lifted shingles, dented gutters, damaged flashing, debris on the roof, and any damage to siding or windows. Time-stamp everything. Cloud backup immediately.
Stop Active Water Leaks
If water is actively coming in, place buckets and move valuables. You can use a tarp to cover a small exposed area — but don't make permanent repairs before insurance documents the damage. Keep receipts for any emergency materials you buy.
Call Your Insurance Company — Not a Roofer
File a claim as soon as possible. Give them your documentation. They will assign an adjuster. This call should happen within 24–48 hours of the storm. Do not call a roofer first. Doing so can complicate your claim.
Find a Licensed Roofer (Check the License Yourself)
Once your claim is open, find a licensed contractor to inspect the damage and provide an independent estimate. Use a directory like BestRoofersIn.com to find roofers in your city and confirm their license yourself — not a random door-knocker who showed up after the storm.
Get the Adjuster and Roofer on the Same Call
The best outcome happens when your roofer and insurance adjuster do a joint inspection. A good roofer knows how to document damage in the language adjusters use — which means fewer disputes and a bigger payout.
WHAT DOES INSURANCE ACTUALLY COVER?
| Damage Type | Covered? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hail damage | ✅ Usually yes | Requires documented hail event in your area |
| Wind damage / missing shingles | ✅ Usually yes | Must exceed wind speed threshold in policy |
| Tree branch impact | ✅ Usually yes | Sudden damage covered; pre-existing rot may not be |
| Wear and tear | ❌ Not covered | Normal aging is homeowner's responsibility |
| Poor installation | ❌ Not covered | Contractor error is not a covered peril |
| Neglected maintenance | ❌ Not covered | Document regular maintenance to avoid disputes |
Your deductible applies to any storm claim. For hail damage in particular, some policies apply a separate percentage-based wind or hail deductible, which can be significantly higher than your regular deductible. Read your policy or ask your agent before assuming what you'll pay out of pocket.
HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO FILE?
Your policy sets its own deadline for reporting a claim, and it differs by policy and by state, so read it now. Waiting is almost always a mistake — the longer you wait, the harder it is to prove the damage was storm-related versus normal wear. File within 48 hours whenever possible.
Storm chaser scam alert: After every major storm, unverified contractors fan out through affected neighborhoods offering quick repairs. Some are legitimate. Many are not. Door-to-door solicitation immediately after a storm is the #1 vector for roofing scams in the USA.
HOW TO AVOID STORM DAMAGE ROOFING SCAMS
🚨 Red Flags to Watch For
- They knock on your door right after the storm — professional roofers don't need to chase storm damage
- They ask you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) — this transfers your insurance rights to the contractor before work begins
- They can't show a valid contractor's license — always verify independently with your state's licensing board
- They offer to waive your deductible — this is illegal in Texas, Colorado and Minnesota, and a red flag anywhere
- They pressure you to decide immediately — legitimate roofers give you time to compare estimates
- They have no local reviews or verifiable address — storm chasers are often out-of-state with no local accountability
How to Verify a Roofer
Before hiring anyone, confirm: state contractor's license number (verify on your state's licensing board website), proof of general liability insurance, proof of workers' compensation insurance, local references from completed jobs in your city, and a physical business address. At BestRoofersIn.com, we list roofing contractors with contact info and Google ratings where available. We do not verify licenses, so check each one yourself.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ADJUSTER VISITS?
The insurance adjuster will provide a scope of loss — a detailed document listing what they believe needs to be repaired and their estimate of the cost. Compare this with your roofer's independent estimate. If there's a significant gap, your roofer can file a supplement with supporting documentation. Most claims are resolved within 30–60 days of the adjuster visit.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Need a Roofer After Storm Damage?
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