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
