Storm just hit? Here's what to do in the next 48 hours
Most homeowners wait too long after a storm. Insurance carriers have time limits on filing claims, and damage that’s left unaddressed gets worse before you ever talk to an adjuster. The right sequence is fast and well-documented.
Document everything
Take photos of any visible damage from the ground — do not climb your roof. Save weather reports for the storm date if you can.
Get a free inspection
We climb the roof safely and document hail strikes, wind damage, missing shingles, and granule loss with photos. You get a written report.
File your claim
Contact your insurance carrier and file a claim. We give you the documentation you need and can be on the inspection with the adjuster.
Adjuster meeting
We meet your adjuster on-site to make sure damage isn't missed and the scope of work is properly documented. This step changes outcomes.
Repair or replacement
Once the claim is approved, we complete the work to your insurance scope. You pay your deductible. We bill the carrier directly.
What insurance covers — and what they try not to
Standard homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental damage from hail, wind, fallen trees, and hurricane events. Insurance does not cover gradual wear, age-related deterioration, or damage from neglected maintenance. The line between these two can be subjective, which is why having an experienced contractor at the adjuster meeting matters.
Adjusters work for the insurance company. They’re not your enemy — most are honest people with a job to do — but their job is to scope the loss conservatively. We’ve seen the same hail event scoped at $4,200 by one adjuster and $14,800 by another, depending on what was documented and what wasn’t. We make sure nothing legitimate gets missed.
Supplemental claims explained
If hidden damage is found mid-project (rotted decking, ice dam damage under the shingles), we file a supplemental claim with your carrier. Most are approved within 5-7 business days. Read the full process ›
Common storm damage we document
- Hail strikes: Round impact marks that knock granules off shingles, exposing the asphalt below. Damage is often invisible from the ground but reduces remaining roof life by 50% or more.
- Wind lift: Shingles that have been bent back and broken the seal. They look fine when you look up, but they’re no longer wind-rated and will leak in the next storm.
- Missing shingles: Sections blown clean off, exposing the underlayment. Usually covered, often along with collateral damage to surrounding shingles that pulled when those came off.
- Tree impact: Direct hits from falling limbs or whole trees. Structural damage to decking and rafters often hidden under the shingles.
- Gutter and downspout damage: Hail and falling debris dent and detach gutters. Almost always part of the same claim.
Why working with a GAF Master Elite contractor matters for claims
Insurance adjusters know our certification level. They know we don’t install over old roofs, don’t cut corners on flashing, and document our work with photos. That track record changes the conversation when claims get reviewed. We’ve had supplements approved that other contractors had denied because we provided the manufacturer-spec documentation that adjusters needed to justify the additional scope.