Roof Storm Damage and Insurance: How to Document It

To document roof storm damage for insurance, stay safe first, then take dated photos and video of the damage from the ground and inside, write down what happened and when, make only temporary repairs to stop more damage, keep every receipt, and contact your insurer promptly. Don't make permanent repairs before the adjuster sees the damage.

This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Policies, deductibles and deadlines vary by insurer and by state. Your policy and your insurer have the final word, and your state's insurance department can answer questions about your rights.

What should you do first after a storm damages your roof?

Safety comes before paperwork.

• Stay off the roof. This Old House warns that any roof work entails a fall risk, and that walking on a damaged roof may make the damage worse or hurt an insurance claim.
• Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them, and call 911. Ready.gov warns that downed power lines can electrically charge the water.
• Keep water away from the electrics. If water is near lights or outlets, turn off that circuit at the breaker from a dry spot. Ready.gov says not to touch electrical equipment if it is wet or you are standing in water. If you see sparks or smoke, or smell gas, leave the house and call 911 (or your gas utility for gas) from outside.
• Keep people out of rooms under a tree, a hole or a sagging ceiling.
• Follow local officials on whether it is safe to stay or go back in. FEMA says to follow local officials' instructions on re-entering your home.

Once everyone is safe, start documenting.

How do you document roof damage for an insurance claim?

The goal is a clear, dated record of what the storm did, made before anything is cleaned up or repaired. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says to take photos and videos of the damage and make a list of damaged property for your adjuster. FEMA says to photograph damage inside and outside the home before discarding anything.

Outside, from the ground

You don't need to go on the roof to document a lot.

• Wide shots of each side of the house, so it is clear which part of the roof is damaged.
• Close-ups taken with a zoom lens, of missing shingles, lifted edges, exposed wood or a tree on the roof.
• Shingles, pieces of flashing or vent caps in the yard. Photograph them where they landed, then keep them somewhere dry.
• Dents in gutters, downspouts, vents, siding and window screens. IKO says hail damage often shows as dented gutters and distorted eavestroughs, and you can see these from the ground.
• Hailstones, if you can photograph them soon after the storm next to a coin or ruler for size.
• Fallen trees or limbs, including where they hit the house.

Inside

• Ceiling stains, drips and wet insulation, with something for scale.
• Damaged belongings, before you move or throw them away. FEMA suggests photographing the insides of closets and cabinets and noting serial numbers of large appliances.
• The attic, if you can reach it safely by stepping only on the joists. Skip it if the ceiling below is sagging.

Write it down

• The date and time of the storm, and what kind it was (hail, wind, a tree, a hurricane).
• When you first noticed the damage and any leaks.
• A room-by-room list of damaged property.
• Every call with your insurer: the date, who you spoke with and what they said. The Texas Department of Insurance suggests you keep a record of everyone you speak with at your insurance company.

Store copies of your photos and notes somewhere other than your phone, such as cloud storage or email.

Should you make repairs before the adjuster comes?

Make temporary repairs to stop more damage, but hold off on permanent ones.

The Texas Department of Insurance says to make temporary repairs, like covering holes to keep rain out, and adds: "Don't make permanent repairs before the insurance adjuster sees the damage." It also says to keep a list of repairs and save receipts.

What that looks like for a roof:

• Have a roofer tarp the damaged area. Tarping means working on the roof, so leave it to a pro. This Old House says tarps should only go on when the weather is dry.
• Catch water inside with buckets and towels, and dry what you can.
• Photograph the temporary repair before and after.
• Keep every receipt, for the tarp, materials, labor and any drying equipment.
• Don't throw away damaged materials until your insurer says you can. The Texas Department of Insurance says don't throw anything away until your insurance adjuster tells you.

Your policy may require you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Check your policy for the exact wording.

When should you contact your insurer?

Contact your insurer as soon as you reasonably can. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says to notify your insurance company right away and notes that reporting deadlines vary by state.

Some states set firm limits. For example, Florida law says notice of an initial or reopened property claim must be given within 1 year after the date of loss, or the claim is barred. Your state and policy may differ, so check both.

When you call, have ready:

• Your policy number and contact details.
• The date and type of storm.
• A short description of the damage and any leaks.
• Your photos and notes.

Is it worth filing a claim for roof damage?

That depends on the damage and your deductible. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners suggests checking your deductible first, since for minor damage you may be better off paying for the repairs out of pocket.

A roofer's estimate can help you decide. For a sense of scale, national repair ranges as of 2026 include:

• Hail damage repair: $700 to $4,000 (Fixr).
• Wind damage repair: $2,000 to $8,000 (Fixr).
• Tree falling on the home: $1,500 to $5,000 in repairs (Fixr).
• Storm damage assessment: around $350 on average (Fixr).
• Emergency roof leak repair: $379 to $1,755 (This Old House).

Your local price will depend on your roof and how much is damaged. Our hail damage repair cost guide goes into more detail. If you are unsure whether the damage is from the storm or from age, a roofer's inspection can help sort that out before you decide.

What does the insurance adjuster do?

The adjuster works for, or on behalf of, the insurance company. They inspect the damage, take their own photos and measurements, and write an estimate of what the policy covers.

To get ready for the visit:

• Be there if you can, and walk the adjuster through what you saw.
• Share your photos, notes and damaged-property list.
• Consider having your roofer there. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners suggests you could have your contractor attend the meeting with you and the adjuster.
• Ask what happens next, including when you'll get the estimate and how payment works.

When the estimate arrives, read it line by line. Compare it with your roofer's bid. The Texas Department of Insurance suggests you get multiple bids from contractors and compare them with the adjuster's report before settling the claim. If something is missing, ask your insurer about it in writing and send supporting photos or estimates.

How do deductibles work for roof claims?

Your deductible is the part of a covered loss you pay. A few things to check in your policy:

• A separate wind and hail deductible. The Texas Department of Insurance suggests asking whether your wind and hail deductible differs from the deductible for other damage.
• Percentage deductibles. Some deductibles are a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat amount. The Texas example below uses a 2% deductible on a home insured for $200,000, which works out to $4,000 (Texas Department of Insurance).
• Hurricane deductibles. In some coastal states these work differently. In Florida, for example, the hurricane deductible on personal policies applies on an annual basis to all covered hurricane losses in a calendar year.

You are responsible for your deductible. Be wary of any contractor who offers to cover or waive it. The Texas Department of Insurance says it is illegal in Texas for contractors to offer to waive a deductible, and Florida's Department of Financial Services says a contractor cannot waive the deductible or offer it as a rebate.

What is the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?

This one difference can change what you're paid more than anything else on a roof claim.

• Replacement cost coverage pays to repair or replace the roof at current prices. The Texas Department of Insurance says most home policies pay to repair or rebuild your home based on current costs.
• Actual cash value coverage pays less, based on the age and condition of the roof. That reduction is called depreciation.

The Texas Department of Insurance gives this example for a roof that costs $10,000 to replace, on a home insured for $200,000 with a 2% deductible (Texas Department of Insurance):

• Replacement cost: $10,000 minus the $4,000 deductible, so the policy pays $6,000 (Texas Department of Insurance).
• Actual cash value, 10-year-old roof: $7,000 minus $4,000, so the policy pays $3,000 (Texas Department of Insurance).
• Actual cash value, 20-year-old roof: $4,000 minus $4,000, so the policy pays $0 (Texas Department of Insurance).

That is an example, not a prediction of your claim. Some policies switch roofs to actual cash value as they age. The Texas Department of Insurance notes that as roofs age, some companies switch to actual cash value, and that insurers won't pay for a new roof solely because the old one is worn out.

With replacement cost coverage, payment often comes in two parts. The Texas Department of Insurance says you get a partial payment first, then the rest after repairs have started. Keep invoices and photos of the finished work.

How do you avoid problems with storm contractors?

After big storms, many contractors go door to door. Some are fine, and some are not. A few rules help:

• Contact your insurer before you sign anything tied to a claim.
• Check the company's license and insurance yourself. In Florida, the Department of Financial Services says to verify the license at MyFloridaLicense.com. Other states have their own lookups.
• Be careful with an assignment of benefits. This contract lets a contractor deal with your insurer and collect payment directly. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says you are not required to sign an AOB to have repairs done. In Florida, the Department of Financial Services says assignments of benefits have been prohibited for residential and commercial property claims since January 1, 2023.
• Watch for red flags. Offers to waive your deductible, gifts or cash for an inspection, pressure to sign the same day, or a request to keep your insurer from inspecting. Florida's Department of Financial Services calls blocking the insurer's inspection a red flag.
• Get more than one written estimate, and don't feel rushed. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says don't feel rushed or pushed to agree to something you're not comfortable with.
• Know your cancellation rights. Some states give you time to cancel a roofing contract signed after a disaster. In Florida, after a declared emergency, the Department of Financial Services says you may cancel a roof contract within 10 days after signing or by the official start date, whichever comes first.

What if you disagree with the insurer?

Start by asking your insurer, in writing, to explain the decision and what policy language it relies on. Send any missing photos, estimates or reports. Your policy explains the steps for disputes, which may include an appraisal process.

Your state's insurance department can also answer questions and take complaints. In Texas, that is the Texas Department of Insurance. In Florida, it is the Department of Financial Services. For legal questions about your rights under the policy, talk to a lawyer.

When should you call a roofer?

Call a roofer soon after the storm if:

• Shingles are missing, or you can see exposed wood or a tree on the roof.
• Water is coming in.
• You see dents on gutters and vents or granules washing out of the downspouts after hail.
• You aren't sure whether there is damage and want a professional opinion before you file.

A roofer can tarp the roof, inspect it and give you a written estimate to compare with the adjuster's. If you want to see likely causes and typical costs first, you can check my roof.

What will a roofer check after a storm?

• The shingles, for missing pieces, lifted or creased tabs and hail bruises.
• The flashing, vents and pipe boots, which can be bent or knocked loose.
• Gutters and downspouts, for dents and separation from the house.
• The decking and framing, especially where a tree or limb hit.
• The attic, for water entry and wet insulation.

Ask the roofer to photograph what they find and to note on the estimate which items they believe are storm damage and which are wear.

What should you ask a roofer?

• Will you document the damage so I can show my insurance company?
• Which damage do you think is from the storm, and which is from age or wear?
• Can you give me a written, itemized estimate?
• Will you meet the adjuster at the house?
• Do you hold the state or local license required for roofing work here, and do you carry insurance?
• Are you asking me to sign anything that lets you deal with my insurer for me?

For more on finding the source of a leak after a storm, see our guide on how to find a roof leak. For hurricane-specific rules in Florida, see our guide to hurricane roof damage in Florida.