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The sound of hail on a roof is hard to forget, and the questions that follow are just as memorable. Is the roof damaged? Will insurance cover it? Who can fix it quickly without taking advantage of the situation? Most of those questions get answered in three phone calls, made in the right order and with the right information. Here is how to approach each one, plus what to do before you pick up the phone.
Before you call anyone
Once the storm has passed and it is safe to go outside, look around your property from the ground. Photograph dented gutters, damaged siding, broken window screens, dinged air conditioner fins, and any hail still lying around, ideally next to an object that shows its size. Note the date and time of the storm. If you see water coming inside, take photos of that too.
Do not climb onto the roof. Wet shingles, loose granules, and damaged decking make it dangerous, and a professional can inspect it far more safely. The Texas Department of Insurance advises homeowners to take photos or video of the damage and to keep damaged items until the insurance company gives permission to throw them away.
Call one: a roofer who will inspect before anyone argues
Hail damage is often hard to see from the ground. Bruised shingles, cracked sealant, and dented flashing may not leak for months, but they shorten the life of the roof. A trained inspector can spot the pattern of damage and write it up.
Homeowners searching for San Antonio roof repair after a storm should ask each company how the inspection works, whether it is free, and what they provide afterward. A good roofer will take photos of each slope, mark damaged areas, check vents and flashing, and give you a written report. Ask whether they can also handle emergency tarping if the roof is open to the weather.
Be careful with anyone who knocks on your door right after a storm. Ask for local references, proof of insurance, and a written estimate. Take your time before signing anything.
Call two: your insurance company
File the claim promptly. According to the Texas Department of Insurance’s tips for filing a hail damage claim, your insurer should pay for hail damage if you have wind and hail coverage on your homeowners policy. The department also recommends that you:
- Photograph or film the damage and list everything affected, inside and out.
- Prevent more damage by covering holes and removing standing water, and save every receipt, since your policy may pay for temporary repairs.
- Be available when the adjuster visits so you can make sure they see everything.
- Keep a record of everyone you speak with at the insurance company.
- Ask about living expenses if you cannot stay in the home.
Read your policy before the call. Some policies use a separate deductible for wind and hail, or pay less on older roofs, so know what applies to you before the adjuster arrives. If you have your contractor’s inspection report and your own photos, share them. Having that information in hand makes the conversation clearer and faster.
Call three: a second opinion
The same TDI guidance recommends getting more than one bid or repair estimate. Even if the first contractor seemed excellent, a second estimate lets you compare scope, materials, and price. Ask each company to itemize what they plan to replace, such as shingles, underlayment, flashing, vents, and any damaged decking, and what happens if hidden damage turns up once the old layer comes off.
It is also worth checking contractors with the Better Business Bureau for complaints, as the department suggests. If the two estimates differ widely, ask both companies to explain why. Sometimes one found damage the other missed, and sometimes one left something out.
Between the calls: protect the house
While you wait for inspections and adjuster visits, keep the house from getting worse. If there are holes or missing shingles, a temporary cover such as a tarp can keep rain out, and the cost is often covered when documented. Move belongings away from wet areas and run fans or a dehumidifier if moisture has entered. Keep all receipts, and avoid permanent repairs until the insurance adjuster has seen the damage.
Red flags to watch for
A few warning signs show up again and again after big storms. An offer to waive or cover your deductible is a major red flag, because the Texas Department of Insurance notes that it is illegal under state law to waive a homeowners deductible. Be cautious about pressure to sign a contract on the spot, large upfront payments, vague written estimates, and contractors who cannot show a local address or past customers. If you are asked to sign a document that gives a contractor rights over your insurance claim, read it carefully or get advice first.
Hailstorms are stressful, but the process becomes manageable when you take it one call at a time. Document first, inspect second, file promptly, compare estimates, and keep everything in writing. Done in that order, you protect both the house and your claim.
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