What To Do When You Have Storm Damage to A Roof
Storm damage to a roof can include missing shingles, dents, or holes. If you have extensive damage, contact a roofing contractor and your insurer.
Written by Abbey Orzech
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Storm damage to your roof can include missing shingles, dents, or holes that compromise the structure and security of your home. If you notice significant roof damage from a storm, contact your insurance company and research certified roofing contractors that can make the repairs.
A solid roof over your head is important for your safety and security, so when storms roll in and compromise the structure of that roof, it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible. That said, it can be overwhelming to know where to start—especially if you’re responding to an emergency.
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Types of roof storm damage
Not every storm will bring torrential winds and rain that catapult projectiles into the air, but storms don’t need to be at a biblical level for damage to reach your roof. There are several different types of roof storm damage that your home may endure:
- Debris damage. Debris can be anything picked up or knocked off by the storm. In general, it is the large tree branches that are responsible for roof damage like denting, creating a hole, or removing shingles.
- Hail damage. Big or small, hail can create dents, pockmarks, shingle wear, and aesthetic damage to your roof.
- Wind damage. Hurricane-force winds, gale-force winds, and any other kind of high winds can rip or lift shingles from their place on the roof and expose the underlay.
- Standing water damage. Moisture can lift shingles or penetrate the underlying surface of the roof and compromise its structure.
Whatever the cause, roof damage from a storm should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent the problem from worsening.
What to do when your roof has storm damage
You can help alleviate some stress from the situation by knowing where to begin once you notice storm damage to your roof. Here are some basic steps to follow when you find yourself in need of roof repair.
Assess the damage
The first thing you should do is assess the damage to your roof. Take note of whether it’s a significant amount of damage or not to decide if getting your insurance involved will be worth it.
Some repairs, like replacing a couple of shingles, will be easier and cheaper to do through a certified contractor than by going through the drawn-out process of filing an insurance claim.
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If the damage is significant, contact your insurance company
If you do decide that you want to handle the repairs through your insurance, contact your insurance company to give them the details of the destruction and begin the claim process. Typically, your insurance provider will proceed with one of two routes.
They may send an insurance adjuster to evaluate your roof damage claim. The insurance adjuster will look over the damage details to determine if it fits under one of the named perils of home insurance so they can move forward with your claim.
Alternatively, your insurance company may have you find a local contractor who can your roof damage. Your contractor will document any proof of storm damage and send it to your insurance company for an insurance adjuster’s deliberation.
What to know about the roof storm damage insurance claim process
The storm damage insurance claim process can be a bit difficult to navigate, so here’s what you should know:
- Your claim will either be approved or denied directly by an insurance adjuster—these are the only people who can evaluate your claim.
- If the insurance adjuster denies your initial claim, you may request a second insurance adjuster to perform the inspection of your roof. If the second insurance adjuster denies your claim, you may ask an engineer to inspect your roof and provide your insurance company with proof of damage and repair needs.
- Don’t sign repair contracts with a contractor before your claim is approved. You may get locked into an agreement with the contractor and have your claim denied, leaving you responsible for the bill.
- Once your claim is approved and you hire a contractor, ensure you do your research to find a reputable company. Look for roofing certifications, experience with insurance claims, and a high standard of work quality.
Gather as much detail about the damage as possible and keep a paper trail of all conversations to make the process easier—and to cover you if there is any miscommunication.
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Does home insurance cover damage to my roof?
It depends on how your roof was damaged! If hurricane-force winds or a hail storm swept by your home and ripped shingles off or put holes in the roof, then yes, your insurance likely covers the damages because those are some of the named perils of insurance. If you’re looking at water damage due to clogged gutters, however, your insurance probably won’t cover any damages because that is seen as an avoidable occurrence.
Do I have to use my insurance for roof damage?
You do not have to use your insurance for roof damage. If the damage to your roof isn’t great, it may be cheaper and faster to take care of the repair outside of your insurance.
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