After the Storm: Step-by-Step What to Do About Roof Damage

The 48 hours after a big storm are when good decisions get made — and when storm chasers make their money. Here is the order of operations we walk our own customers through, from the night of the storm to the finished claim.

Step 1: Make sure everyone is safe

Stay clear of downed power lines and any room with a sagging, water-loaded ceiling — wet drywall can come down without warning. If water is coming in near lights or outlets, shut off power to that area at the breaker.

Step 2: Document from the ground

Walk the property and photograph everything you can see safely: shingles in the yard, dented gutters, fallen branches, and the date of the storm (a screenshot of a weather report works). Do not climb on a wet roof. Our guide to the 5 signs your roof has storm damage shows what to look for from the ground and in the attic.

Step 3: Stop the water, temporarily

Move furniture, set buckets, and poke a small hole in the center of a bulging ceiling spot to drain it in one controlled place instead of letting it spread. Temporary tarping is fine — but have it done by someone insured to be up there, because a bad tarp job causes its own damage.

Step 4: Get an inspection before you file

Call a local roofer for a photo-documented inspection first. If the damage is minor and below your deductible, you will know before a claim ever hits your record. If it is real storm damage, you will file with photos, measurements, and a storm date already in hand. Our inspections are free and include the full photo set.

Step 5: File the claim and meet the adjuster

File promptly — most Texas policies expect notice within about a year of the storm, and sooner is always easier. Ask your roofer to be there when the adjuster comes; damage that is obvious to a roofer can be missed on a quick adjuster visit. Our article on whether insurance covers roof replacement in Texas explains what adjusters look for and how deductibles work.

Step 6: Read the settlement before you sign anything

Your settlement paperwork shows what was approved, what was held back as depreciation, and what needs documentation to release. A good contractor explains every line. And one warning that matters in Texas: it is illegal for a contractor to pay, waive, or "eat" your deductible. Anyone offering that is offering to commit insurance fraud with your name on the claim — walk away.

Common questions

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