The first 48 hours
- Handle safety first. Stay off the roof. If there's active water intrusion, move belongings and put down containers.
- Photograph from the ground. Gutters, downspouts, window screens, AC fins, fence and yard debris. Hail that dents soft metal has hit your roof too.
- Write down the storm date. Claims attach to a date of loss. You'll need it.
- Get emergency tarping if water is coming in. Stopping intrusion is urgent; the permanent repair can be scheduled.
- Get a documented inspection before you call the carrier so you know whether you have a claim worth filing.
What storm damage actually looks like
Most of it is invisible from the driveway. That's not a sales line, it's the single most important thing to understand about hail claims.
- Bruising. Impact that fractures the shingle mat without puncturing the surface. You find it by feel, not by looking.
- Creased shingles. Lifted by wind and folded back down. Looks normal; the seal strip is broken underneath.
- Granule loss in patterns. Concentrated on the slopes facing the storm's direction of travel.
- Damaged pipe boots, vent caps and flashing. The cheapest items on a roof and the most commonly damaged.
- Bent gutters and downspouts. Usually the clearest ground-level signal that the roof took a hit.
How a Texas claim actually works
- You file with your carrier and they assign an adjuster.
- The adjuster inspects. We meet them on the roof with our documentation so nothing gets missed.
- The carrier approves a scope and issues an initial ACV payment (replacement cost minus depreciation, minus your deductible).
- Work is completed and invoiced.
- Recoverable depreciation is released once you prove the work was done. On an RCV policy, that second payment is not optional money, but you only get it if the work happens.
- Supplements cover items found after the fact: extra layers, decking, code upgrades, ventilation.
Our full Texas deductible guide and hail claim walkthrough go deeper on each step.
How to spot a storm chaser
- Out-of-state plates and a door knock within days of the storm
- Offers to "waive," "eat" or "work around" your deductible, illegal in Texas
- Pressure to sign anything on the first visit, especially an assignment of benefits
- No local address, no local permit history, no verifiable BBB profile
- Every house on the street somehow needs a complete replacement
We're headquartered in Boerne, BBB A+ accredited and RCAT members, and we pull permits in these counties constantly. Our contractor vetting guide covers what to ask anyone who knocks.
Storm resources
Post-storm roof checklist · Hail season prep · 2026 season damage patterns · Leak warning signs · Emergency roof repair
Storm response by city
Boerne · San Antonio · New Braunfels · Kerrville · Fair Oaks Ranch · Bulverde · Helotes · Spring Branch
