Roof Damage After a Storm: Complete Documentation Checklist

Severe weather just passed through your area. Before you call your insurance company, before you schedule any repairs, and before you climb onto anything — work through this checklist. Systematic damage documentation done right in the first 48 hours can be the difference between a smooth claim approval and a denied or underpaid claim.

Safety First: Before Any Inspection

• Wait until the storm has fully passed and conditions are stable
• Check for downed power lines near your home before approaching the exterior
• Do not attempt to access a wet or icy roof yourself — this is how serious fall injuries happen
• If you smell gas or see structural damage, evacuate and call emergency services before anything else

Interior Inspection Checklist

Walk through every room of the house looking for:

• ☐ New ceiling stains or wet spots — note the room and location
• ☐ Wet insulation in accessible attic space
• ☐ Daylight visible through roof decking in attic access
• ☐ Dripping water from ceiling fixtures or around skylights
• ☐ Cracked or broken interior walls (may indicate structural movement in severe events)

Exterior Ground-Level Inspection Checklist

Photograph everything on this list before any cleanup or temporary repairs. Your photos need a timestamp — use your smartphone camera, which automatically records date and time in the image metadata.

• ☐ Gutters — granule accumulation, dents, separation from fascia
• ☐ Downspouts — dents consistent with hail impact size
• ☐ HVAC condenser unit — dents on the fins, damaged refrigerant lines
• ☐ Window screens — tears or punctures from hail
• ☐ Wood fence or deck surfaces — impact marks from hail
• ☐ Siding — dents, cracks, or punctures
• ☐ Vehicle (if outside during storm) — dents as evidence of hail size
• ☐ Shingles on ground — did any blow off?
• ☐ Visible roof surface from ground — missing sections, lifted ridge cap, curled edges
• ☐ Fascia and soffit — dents, sections blown free, damage at corners
• ☐ Chimney cap — visible from ground on most homes; damage is common

Documentation Best Practices

• Photograph everything before touching anything — even moving debris before photographing can complicate claims
• Use your smartphone for built-in timestamping and GPS metadata
• Take wide shots then close-ups — context + detail for every item
• Screenshot weather service data — save the National Weather Service storm report for your area showing the storm date and hail size
• Record a walkthrough video in addition to photos — video provides context that still photos sometimes miss

Soft Metal Evidence: Why It Matters

Insurance adjusters and inspectors look specifically at soft metal surfaces to confirm hail impact. This is because:

• Soft metals hold impact marks permanently — they don't weather over time
• Consistent circular dents of similar size prove hail fell at a specific minimum diameter
• Soft metal evidence is harder for insurers to dismiss as "normal wear"

The key soft metal surfaces to photograph: gutters, downspouts, HVAC fins, roof flashing visible from the ground, metal vents, and any metal trim on the home.

Storm Documentation Checklist

• ☐ Storm date and approximate time recorded
• ☐ National Weather Service storm report saved (weather.gov or your local NWS office)
• ☐ Local news coverage of the storm event saved
• ☐ Reported hail size for your zip code documented
• ☐ Names and contact info for any neighbors who also experienced damage (corroborating evidence)

Professional Roof Inspection Checklist Items

This section covers what your professional inspector should document — useful for understanding what a complete inspection report looks like and what to verify they've covered.

• ☐ All slopes photographed independently
• ☐ Test square counts per slope (number of qualifying hail impacts per 10 sq ft)
• ☐ Ridge cap damage documented
• ☐ All pipe boots and penetrations inspected
• ☐ All flashings (chimney, wall, valley, step) inspected
• ☐ Decking condition assessed where accessible
• ☐ Gutter and fascia condition documented
• ☐ Written report with findings, photos, and estimated scope of work provided

Insurance Filing Checklist

• ☐ Confirm policy filing window (check policy documents)
• ☐ Note deductible amount and type (flat or percentage)
• ☐ Confirm ACV vs. RCV coverage type
• ☐ Gather contractor's inspection report
• ☐ Compile your own photo documentation
• ☐ File claim with storm date (not damage discovery date)
• ☐ Request claim number and adjuster contact information
• ☐ Schedule adjuster inspection (request contractor be present)

We provide free post-storm inspections with written reports across 40+ cities. Schedule yours or call (800) 555-0100.