Storm & insurance claim guide

Storm Damage Roof Inspection: What To Do After Hail or Wind

The first 48 hours after a storm decide how smoothly everything else goes. Here is what to do, what a real roof inspection covers, and how to know if you have a claim — from a Midwest roofing company that has been doing storm work since 1947.

1-800-JOHN-BEAL Free Inspection

Step 1: Stay safe and stop the water

Do not climb on a wet or damaged roof. If water is coming inside, move belongings, put a bucket under the drip and, if the ceiling is bulging, poke a small hole to let the water out in one spot instead of across the whole ceiling.

If the roof is open, it needs a tarp. Most homeowner policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and emergency tarping is usually part of the claim. We answer 1-800-JOHN-BEAL 24/7 for emergency tarping.

Step 2: Write down the storm and take photos

Note the date and approximate time of the storm. That date matters later — your insurer will check it against weather data, and many policies have deadlines that start on the date of loss.

From the ground, photograph everything that took a hit: dented gutters and downspouts, dings in the aluminum fins of your air conditioner, chipped paint, cracked siding, broken window screens, hail dents on cars and mailboxes, shingle pieces in the yard and piles of granules at the bottom of downspouts. This “collateral damage” supports the case that hail large enough to damage a roof actually hit your property.

Step 3: Get a real on-roof inspection

Hail damage on asphalt shingles is often invisible from the ground. A proper inspection means someone walks the roof (or safely inspects it when it is too steep) and checks every slope.

What we look for on hail: bruises and soft spots where the shingle mat is fractured, granule loss that exposes the black asphalt, cracked or split shingles, and dents in metal vents, flashing, ridge caps and skylight frames. On wind: creased, lifted or missing tabs, broken seal strips, torn ridge caps and loosened flashing. We also check pipe boots, chimneys and the attic for signs of water getting in.

You get a photo report showing every damaged area, marked and labeled, plus roof measurements. That report is useful whether or not you end up filing a claim.

Step 4: Decide whether to file a claim

Compare the damage to your deductible. Many Midwest policies now carry a separate, higher wind/hail deductible, often a percentage of the home’s insured value. Check your declarations page.

Look at how your policy pays for roofs. Replacement cost policies pay to replace the roof (often in two checks: actual cash value first, the rest after the work is done). Actual cash value policies subtract depreciation for the roof’s age. Some policies have a cosmetic damage exclusion or a separate roof payment schedule. Knowing this up front prevents surprises.

If the damage is real and it is above the deductible, call your insurer, give them the date of loss, and ask for a claim number. If it is minor, we will tell you a repair makes more sense than a claim.

Step 5: Watch out for storm chasers

After a big storm, out-of-town crews knock on doors across the Midwest. Warning signs: out-of-state plates, no local address, pressure to sign the same day, demands for large payments up front, or offers to “cover your deductible.”

Read anything before you sign it. Ask for a local address, proof of insurance, references and the manufacturer certifications they claim. A company that will still be here next year to honor its warranty is worth more than a fast signature.

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Frequently asked questions

How soon after a storm should I have my roof inspected?

As soon as it is safe, ideally within a few days. Early documentation ties the damage to the storm date, and many policies set deadlines for reporting a loss.

Can hail damage a roof without leaking?

Yes. Hail often bruises shingles and knocks off granules without causing an immediate leak. The damage shortens the roof’s life and can show up as leaks months later.

Is a storm damage inspection free?

Yes. John Beal Roofing inspects storm-damaged roofs for free and gives you a photo report, whether or not you file a claim.

Get a free storm damage inspection

Free inspection with a slope-by-slope photo report. Three generations since 1947. Answered 24/7.

Call 1-800-JOHN-BEAL Get a Free Inspection