What to Do After a Hailstorm: A Roof Action Plan

A significant hailstorm just passed through your neighborhood. You heard it hammering the roof, found granules in the gutters, maybe saw some dents on your car. What do you do now — and in what order?

The next 72 hours matter enormously for both your roof's condition and your insurance claim. Here's the exact sequence to follow.

Immediately After the Storm (Within 2 Hours)

1. Check for Interior Damage First

Before going outside, do a quick walk through every room. Check ceilings for new stains or wet spots. Check attic access if you have easy access — look for daylight or drips. Active leaks need immediate attention regardless of what's happening outside.

2. Do Not Get on Your Roof

Wet roofs are dangerously slippery and storm conditions can create structural hazards you can't see. Ground-level documentation is what matters in the first hours. Save the roof access for professionals.

3. Document at Ground Level

Take photographs of:

• Your gutters — look for granule accumulation and dents
• Downspouts — dents are clear evidence of hail impact force
• Your car if it was outside — dents on car roofs are strong corroborating evidence
• HVAC condenser fins — soft metal dents are excellent hail documentation
• Any ground-level damage: broken skylights, damaged siding, window screens

Use your phone camera so photos are automatically timestamped. The date/time stamp is important for insurance purposes.

Within 24 Hours

4. Note the Storm Details

Find the National Weather Service report or local news coverage of the specific storm event and save it. Note the exact date, time, and reported hail size for your area. This documentation of the actual weather event strengthens your insurance claim.

5. Check Your Policy

Pull out your homeowners insurance policy — or find it in your insurer's app — and check:

• Your deductible (is it a flat dollar amount or a percentage of home value?)
• The claims filing window (typically 30–60 days from the event date)
• Whether you have ACV (actual cash value) or RCV (replacement cost value) coverage

6. Call a Roofing Contractor for a Professional Inspection

This is the most important step and the one most homeowners skip. Get a professional roofing inspection before calling your insurer. A written inspection report with timestamped photographs gives you an independent record of damage that you can use when the insurance adjuster visits.

Reputable roofing contractors provide free post-storm inspections. Schedule yours here.

Within 3–7 Days

7. File the Insurance Claim

Once you have your contractor's inspection report in hand, file the claim with your insurer. Provide the storm date, type of damage (hail, wind, or both), and attach your contractor's report and your own photographs. Keep the description factual and specific.

8. Schedule Temporary Repairs if Needed

If you have active leaks or significant exposed areas, temporary tarping or emergency repairs protect the structure while the claim is processed. Document the scope of any temporary repairs with photographs before and after — this work may be reimbursable under your policy.

9. Prepare for the Adjuster Inspection

Your insurer will schedule an adjuster to inspect the property. Request that your roofing contractor be present for this inspection, or at minimum have their written report available. The adjuster's job is to assess the insurer's liability — your contractor's job is to document your damage. Having both present produces the most accurate outcome.

Within 2–4 Weeks

10. Review the Claim Decision

When the claim decision arrives, review it carefully against your contractor's scope. Common discrepancies include missing slopes, omitted line items (disposal fees, code upgrades, overhead and profit), and depreciation calculations. A reputable roofing contractor can help you identify supplement opportunities — legitimate items the adjuster's initial estimate missed.

11. Schedule the Repair or Replacement

With claim approval in hand, schedule the actual work. Don't wait indefinitely — delayed repairs allow the existing damage to compound, and insurers can reduce payments for homeowner negligence in allowing deterioration after a documented event.

What Happens If You Wait

Here's what deferred action after a hailstorm typically costs:

• Insurance window closes — after 30–60 days, a valid claim may become unfiled and unfiled means out-of-pocket
• Granule loss accelerates — exposed asphalt degrades rapidly under UV, and a roof that was marginally repairable becomes a full replacement candidate
• Interior damage develops — the first significant rain after an unrepaired hail event can cause the water entry that should have been a roof repair to become a drywall, insulation, and mold remediation project
• Storm chasers fill your schedule — legitimate contractors in high-demand hail markets book out 2–4 weeks after a major event. The longer you wait, the longer the wait.

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