A serious storm rolls through North Texas every spring and fall. Hail the size of golf balls, straight-line winds over 70 mph, tornadoes touching down in Tarrant County—the damage they leave on your roof can range from invisible to catastrophic. What you do in the first 72 hours determines whether you get full insurance payout, a partial settlement, or a denied claim.

This guide is your action plan for any major Texas storm event, in the order to do it.

Hour 0–4: Safety First

While the storm is still active or just ending:

• Stay inside until the storm passes completely
• Don't go on the roof in any conditions—wet, dark, or windy
• Listen for active leaks dripping into the attic or upper floors
• Place buckets under any active drips
• Move valuables away from leak areas
• Take dated phone photos of any interior water entry

If water is actively pouring in or you can see significant structural damage, call your insurance company's emergency claims line. Most have 24/7 lines for major weather events.

Hour 4–48: Document Everything

This is the most important window. Insurance claims hinge on documentation timing.

Outside Documentation (Ground Level Only)

Walk the entire perimeter of your home and photograph:

• All four sides of the roof from the ground (wide shots)
• Any visibly damaged shingles, ridge caps, or vents
• Gutters with dents, dings, or granule deposits
• Downspouts with hail dents
• AC condenser fins (dented = proof of hail)
• Patio furniture, grills, mailboxes—any soft metal that took hits
• Window screens (torn or warped = wind/hail evidence)
• Fence pickets (especially on the storm-facing side)
• Driveway and sidewalks (round impact marks on grass and concrete)
• Any tree branches down, especially on the roof

Date stamps on phone photos are accepted by every Texas carrier. Don't move anything yet unless it's an immediate safety hazard.

Indoor Documentation

• Wide shots of every ceiling stain
• Close-ups of water entry points
• Photos of any wet drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation, or flooring
• Damaged contents (furniture, electronics, carpet)
• Attic photos showing any daylight, wet decking, or active drips

Get the NOAA Storm Report

Within 48 hours, download the official NOAA Storm Events report for your ZIP code from ncdc.noaa.gov. This single document proves a storm occurred and lists reported hail size and wind speed. Insurance adjusters use this as their starting point.

Hour 48–168 (Days 2–7): File the Claim

Step 1: Call Your Insurance Carrier First

Always file directly with your insurance company, not through a roofer. Texas HB 2102 makes it illegal for roofers to act as public adjusters unless licensed.

You'll get:

• A claim number
• An adjuster assignment
• An estimated inspection date (usually 3–10 days after major storms; longer after big events)

Step 2: Schedule a Local Roofer Inspection

Independent of insurance, get a written inspection from a locally-based licensed roofer. They will:

• Climb the roof and photograph every slope
• Mark hail hits with chalk circles
• Document granule loss, soft mat, and shingle splits
• Identify damaged flashing, valleys, and ridge caps
• Produce a written report

Bring this report to the adjuster inspection. Adjusters miss damage about 30% of the time, especially on back slopes or under shade.

Step 3: Be Present at the Adjuster Inspection

Have your roofer "shadow" the adjuster on the roof. When the adjuster misses hits, your roofer can point them out. This single step is worth thousands in many claims.

Step 4: Get the Estimate

The carrier sends an estimate showing:

• Replacement Cost Value (full cost to replace)
• Depreciation (deducted based on roof age)
• Deductible (your wind/hail deductible, typically 1–2% of dwelling)
• First check (ACV): Replacement Cost − Depreciation − Deductible

You'll get the depreciation back once the work is completed and invoiced (if you have RCV coverage).

See our complete Texas insurance coverage guide →

What If the Claim Is Denied or Underpaid?

You have options:

Re-Inspection

Request another inspection with your roofer present. Free, fast, often successful.

Public Adjuster

Texas-licensed public adjusters work for you (not the carrier) and take 10–20% of additional settlement. Worth it on disputed claims over $10,000.

Appraisal

Your policy includes an appraisal clause. Both sides hire appraisers; an umpire decides if they disagree. Binding and faster than litigation.

TDI Complaint

File at tdi.texas.gov. Insurance companies respond faster when the Texas Department of Insurance is involved.

Storm-Chaser Scams to Avoid

Within 24–72 hours of any major Texas storm, dozens of out-of-state crews flood the area. Watch for:

• Door-to-door pitches with "we noticed damage from the road"
• Pressure to sign a contract on the spot
• Offers to "eat your deductible" or "give you a kickback" (illegal in Texas under HB 2102)
• Out-of-state license plates on company trucks
• No physical Texas office, only a PO box
• Asking to take your insurance check directly
• "We'll handle everything with insurance for you"
• Reviews only from the last 60 days

The bigger the storm, the worse this gets. Stick with locally based roofers with verifiable Texas addresses and at least 5 years of reviews.

Emergency Tarping

If you have active water entry, tarp the affected area immediately. Most local roofers will:

• Respond within 24 hours for emergency tarping
• Cost $200–$600 for professional installation
• Provide 30–60 days of protection before permanent repair

Insurance typically covers emergency tarp costs as part of your claim. Keep the receipt.

What NOT to Do

• Don't sign over your insurance check to any roofer—this is "assignment of benefits" and creates major problems
• Don't pay the deductible "discount" offered by a roofer (illegal kickback)
• Don't repair before the adjuster inspects unless safety requires it (and document everything if you do)
• Don't accept a verbal estimate—everything in writing
• Don't let an unlicensed crew work on your house—insurance won't cover their damage

Timing: The Window Matters

Days After Storm	What's Easy	What Gets Harder
0–7 days	Easy attribution to specific storm	Adjuster availability backed up
7–30 days	Standard claim window	Some damage starts to weather
30–90 days	Still routine	Carrier may push back on attribution
90+ days	Possible but harder	Need strong storm date evidence
6+ months	Policy time limits often kick in	Many claims denied
12+ months	Legally barred under Texas Insurance Code	Claim usually unrecoverable

The strongest claims are filed within 30 days of the storm with photos taken within 48 hours.

After the Claim Pays

Once you have a settlement and a contractor:

1. Verify the contractor's quote matches the insurance estimate
2. Insurance estimates use a standardized pricing tool (Xactimate); reputable roofers know how to read it
3. Supplements (additional damage discovered during work) get billed back to insurance—your roofer handles this
4. Final invoice triggers the depreciation check
5. Your only out-of-pocket should be the deductible (assuming RCV coverage)

The Bottom Line

Texas storms damage roofs every year, and insurance covers most of it—but only if you document early, file fast, get an independent inspection, and stay clear of out-of-state storm chasers. The 72 hours after the storm matter most.

Need an honest local storm inspection? Connect with a vetted Fort Worth roofer →