After storm damage, document everything before cleanup, report the damage to your insurer promptly, get a written damage report with photos from a local roofer before the adjuster visits, know what your policy covers, and stay away from storm chasers. You file the claim and deal with your insurer; good documentation gives you a clear record of what happened.
Tip 1: Document Everything Before Touching Anything
As soon as it is safe after a storm, document all visible damage before any cleanup or temporary repairs begin. Your own photos are the record of what the storm did.
- Photograph every damaged area from multiple angles
- Video the roof perimeter from the ground showing dented gutters and downspouts
- Place a ruler or coin next to hail stones before they melt for size reference
- Photograph interior ceiling stains if you have active leaks
- Note the date, time, and storm details (local news and the National Weather Service publish storm reports)
Keeping the storm's date and details with your photos makes your record easier to follow.
Tip 2: Report the Damage Promptly
Your policy sets how long you have to report damage and to finish repairs, and the time limits differ from policy to policy. Check your policy or ask your insurer, and don't wait: damage is easiest to document while it is fresh.
If you are unsure whether the damage is worth a claim, ask your insurer or agent how a report works under your policy before you decide.
Tip 3: Get the Damage Documented Before the Adjuster Visit
Have a local roofing contractor look at the roof before your insurance adjuster arrives. A careful contractor will:
- Photograph damage patterns and explain which look like hail impact and which look like normal wear
- Point out damage that is easy to miss from a quick walkthrough
- Give you a written report you can share with your insurer and the adjuster
At Tucci Roofing Co., estimates are free, and we document storm damage with photos and a written report you can give your insurer. Learn more about how we document storm damage.
Tip 4: Understand ACV vs RCV Coverage
Many homeowners policies cover a roof in one of two ways:
- ACV (Actual Cash Value): the cost to replace, minus depreciation for the roof's age and wear.
- RCV (Replacement Cost Value): the cost to replace with equivalent materials, sometimes paid in more than one payment.
Which one you have, and how your deductible applies, is in your policy. Read it before a storm, and ask your agent what changing your coverage would cost if you want to compare.
Tip 5: Never Sign with a Storm Chaser
After every major KC hail event, out-of-state contractors flood the metro offering quick repairs and insurance claim help. Warning signs of a storm chaser:
- No local address or phone number
- Pressure to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) form or a contract on the spot
- Offers to waive or absorb your deductible (ask your insurer about any offer like this before you agree to anything)
- Cash payment demands before work begins
- No clear answers about licences or insurance
Use a local contractor with an address and phone number you can check. Contact Tucci Roofing Co. for a free estimate or call 816-589-8629.