The first 48 hours after hail or wind
Keep people off the roof. Photograph each elevation from the driveway, then the attic hatch and any new drips. If water is entering, a professional tarp is the emergency job. Do not authorize a full tear-off the night of the storm.
- Write down the storm date, time, and whether you heard hail
- Bag loose shingles from the yard instead of tossing them
- Keep every receipt — emergency dry-in is often reimbursable even when the claim is still open
File only when the math and the policy line up
A handful of missing tabs under a high deductible can cost more in future premiums than it pays. Widespread bruising, broken skylights, or interior leaks are a different story. This page is triage; the longer claims walkthrough covers ACV vs replacement cost and adjuster visits.
- Ask whether the policy is actual cash value or replacement cost
- Cosmetic wear is not the same as storm-created damage
- You can hire your own licensed roofer after the adjuster — you are not stuck with the first truck
Storm-chaser contracts vs a tarp ticket
A written tarp price is one document. A replacement contract that assigns your insurance benefits is another. You can approve dry-in without signing a 36-month obligation or a huge same-night deposit.
- Separate the tarp invoice from any reroof proposal
- Verify a local license that exists in your state database
- Walk away from anyone who needs full payment before materials hit the driveway
What happens on adjuster day
The adjuster is comparing what they can see to the policy, not writing you a blank reroof. Be home if you can. Have photos, the storm date, and a local contractor’s repair-or-replace notes — not a high-pressure same-day contract. Interior stains with a ruler in the frame help more than arguing on the lawn.
- Ask whether they will inspect the attic, not only the driveway view
- If they call it wear, ask what would count as storm-created damage on your slopes
- You can request a re-inspect if a licensed roofer documents missed hits after they leave
Living under a tarp without starting the wrong job
Tarps fail in wind and at valleys. Check them after every storm while the claim is open. Interior fans and a dehumidifier protect drywall while you wait — that is mitigation, not remodeling. Do not let a crew start kitchen or paint work that will be ruined if the roof still leaks.
- Photograph the tarp install so you can prove you mitigated
- Keep a simple log of new drips with dates
- Hold interior finish work until the roof is dry-in permanent, not plastic