Roof or storm damage? What to do before you file a claim

1. Make sure the property is safe

Stay out of areas with structural damage, standing water near electrical outlets, or a smell of gas. Call the utility company or emergency services when you need to. Photos and paperwork can wait until everyone is safe.

2. Record the damage before cleanup

Before you move debris or throw anything away, take photos and video. Get wide shots that show where the damage is, then close-ups that show the detail. Include the roof from the ground, ceilings, walls, floors, and damaged belongings.

The NAIC, the national organization of state insurance regulators, recommends listing damaged and lost items and saving damaged items when you can so your insurer can inspect them.

Read the NAIC’s guide to the claims process after a disaster

3. Stop more damage, and keep the receipts

Once the damage is recorded, cover roof openings with a tarp and board up broken windows. The NAIC notes that insurers typically reimburse temporary repairs like these when the loss is covered. Hold off on permanent repairs until the insurer has had a chance to inspect, unless it tells you otherwise.

Keep receipts for tarps, water removal, materials, and labor. If you have to leave the home, keep hotel and meal receipts too, and ask whether your policy covers additional living expenses.

4. Find the policy and the deductible

Locate your policy and its declarations page, which lists your coverage limits and deductibles. Some policies have a separate deductible for wind or hail, sometimes set as a percentage of the home’s insured value instead of a flat dollar amount.

Knowing the deductible helps you decide whether to file and what to expect from the payment.

5. Report the claim and keep a log

Contact your insurer or agent as soon as you can. Most policies set deadlines for reporting a loss. Have your policy number, contact details, and your list of damage ready.

Keep a simple log: the date, who you spoke with, and what they said. Save every letter, email, and estimate the insurer sends. That record matters if you later disagree with the payment.

See what to do if the payment comes in low

6. Be careful with storm contractors

After a storm, contractors may knock on doors. Do not sign anything under pressure, and do not pay in full before the work is done. Get more than one written bid and check references.

Read every document before you sign. Some contracts ask to let a contractor deal with your insurer for you. In many states, only a licensed public adjuster or an attorney may negotiate a claim on a homeowner’s behalf.

Learn who can represent you on a claim