Storm Damage? What To Do Before You File A Claim

Severe storms can leave behind obvious damage like fallen trees and broken limbs. They can also cause damage to roofing, siding, gutters, windows, flashing and other exterior components that may not be visible from the ground.

That gap between what you can see and what is actually there is the reason the first phone call matters. Before you contact your insurance company and open a claim, there are a few steps worth taking.

Make Sure The Property Is Safe

Before anything else, make sure the property is safe. Stay away from downed power lines, unstable trees, hanging limbs and damaged structures.

Nothing else on this list matters until that is settled.

Document Everything

Take photos and videos of fallen trees, damaged fencing, gutters, siding, roofing, interior leaks and any other storm related damage.

Do this before cleanup or temporary repairs begin. Once a limb is hauled off or a tarp goes up, the original condition is gone, and with it the clearest record of what the storm actually did.

Have The Property Professionally Inspected

Filing a claim before you know the extent of the damage can go wrong in two directions.

You may open a claim when the damage does not exceed your deductible. Or you may miss damage that should have been properly documented.

A professional inspection tells you which situation you are in before you make that call. It is the same look we take during any roof maintenance visit, applied to what the storm left behind.

Review Your Policy And Deductible

Understand what your policy covers before you pick up the phone. That includes:

• Wind damage
• Fallen trees
• Roof replacement provisions
• Whether your roof is covered at Replacement Cost Value (RCV) or Actual Cash Value (ACV)

That last point is worth locating in your paperwork specifically, because it changes what a claim is worth to you.

Prevent Additional Damage

If water is entering the home, or an opening has been created, temporary emergency measures may be necessary. That is roof repair work in the short term, ahead of any decision about the full scope.

Keep your receipts. Photograph the area before and after any temporary repairs.

Be Careful Who You Hire After A Storm

Major storms bring out of town contractors and storm chasers into affected neighborhoods. Before you let anyone inspect or work on your home, make sure you are dealing with an established, reputable company.

Look for a contractor who is:

• Properly insured
• Established locally
• Highly rated with verifiable reviews
• Certified by major manufacturers
• Experienced with storm restoration and insurance related repairs
• Able to provide a written scope of work and warranty
• Available after the storm crews have moved on

That last one deserves a second look. Anyone can knock on a door the week after a storm. The question is who is still reachable when you need the warranty honored.

Do Not Let Anyone Rush You

Most importantly, do not feel pressured into immediately signing a contract or filing an insurance claim at your front door.

The first step should be determining what is actually damaged, what needs to be repaired, and whether an insurance claim makes sense.

That order matters. Everything else follows from it.

Common Questions

Should I File A Claim Right After A Storm?

Not before you know what you are filing for. Filing a claim before knowing the extent of the damage may mean opening a claim when the damage does not exceed your deductible, or missing damage that should have been properly documented. Find out what is actually damaged first.

What Should I Photograph?

Fallen trees, damaged fencing, gutters, siding, roofing, interior leaks and any other storm related damage. Take both photos and videos, and do it before cleanup or temporary repairs begin.

Can I Clean Up Before The Inspection?

Document everything first. Photos and videos should be taken before cleanup or temporary repairs begin, so the original condition is on record.

What If Water Is Coming Into The House?

If water is entering the home or an opening has been created, temporary emergency measures may be necessary. Keep receipts and photograph the area both before and after the temporary repair.

What Should I Look For In My Insurance Policy?

Check what your policy covers for wind damage, fallen trees and roof replacement provisions. Also check whether your roof is covered at Replacement Cost Value (RCV) or Actual Cash Value (ACV).

How Do I Know If A Contractor Is Reputable?

Look for one that is properly insured, established locally, highly rated with verifiable reviews, certified by major manufacturers, and experienced with storm restoration and insurance related repairs. They should be able to provide a written scope of work and warranty, and still be available after the storm crews have moved on.

Someone Knocked On My Door And Wants Me To Sign Today. Should I?

Do not feel pressured into immediately signing a contract or filing an insurance claim at your front door. Major storms bring out of town contractors and storm chasers into affected neighborhoods, and the first step should be determining what is actually damaged.

Is Damage Always Visible From The Ground?

No. Storms can cause damage to roofing, siding, gutters, windows, flashing and other exterior components that may not be visible from the ground, even when the obvious damage like fallen trees and broken limbs is easy to spot. Ventilation components sit in the same category, which is part of why we also look at vents and roof ventilation during an inspection.