Storm Damage
The 48 hours after a storm determine how smoothly the next three months go. Insurance outcomes are won or lost on documentation and sequence — here is the order that protects you.
First: safety, not the roof
Stay away from downed lines, standing water near outlets, and sagging ceilings. If you smell gas or the structure looks compromised, get out and call 911 before you call anyone else. No photo is worth an injury.
Document before you touch anything
Photograph and video everything from multiple angles: the roof from the ground, interior ceilings, wet flooring, damaged contents, and hail on the ground next to a tape measure or coin for scale. Wide shots first, then close-ups. You cannot over-document; you can absolutely under-document.
Stop the damage from getting worse
Your policy requires reasonable steps to prevent further damage — and pays for them. Emergency tarping, board-up, and water extraction are covered mitigation under most policies. Keep every receipt, including the tarp from the hardware store and the hotel night if you had to leave. This is exactly what our 24/7 emergency team exists for.
Call your carrier — with documentation ready
Report the claim promptly with the storm date, a factual description, and your photo set. Answer what's asked; don't speculate about causes. Note your claim number and the adjuster's contact information.
Get an independent inspection before the adjuster visit
A contractor's documented inspection — photos, measurements, a written scope — gives you a professional baseline before the carrier's estimate arrives, and a knowledgeable contractor can meet your adjuster on the roof. Ours is free and photographed.
What NOT to do
Don't sign anything on your doorstep the day after the storm. Don't accept an offer to “waive your deductible” — it's illegal in a growing list of states and marks the contractor as someone comfortable committing fraud with your name on the paperwork. Don't authorize permanent repairs before the adjuster documents the loss. And don't cash a check labeled “final settlement” while the scope is still in dispute.
The bottom line
Photograph, mitigate, report, verify — in that order. Read our insurance claims guide for what happens after the claim is filed, or talk to a coordinator if the storm already found you.
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