What to do in the first 72 hours after hail

Should I go on my roof after hail?

No — not in the first hour, and not without proper equipment or training at any point. Wet roofing surfaces are significantly more slippery than dry ones. Hail also loosens granules and creates minor surface irregularities that reduce traction further. Falls from roofs are the leading cause of fatal construction-site injuries and the risk is the same for homeowners.

Everything you need for your initial documentation — soft metal dents, gutter damage, window screen perforations, siding impacts — is visible from the ground or from a ladder at the eave. A licensed roofer will inspect the roof surface as part of a free post-storm inspection. Let them take the risk.

How do I document hail damage for an insurance claim?

Start documentation as soon as it is safe to go outside — within the first hour if possible. Use your phone's camera, which automatically embeds the date and time in image metadata. Walk the full perimeter of your home and photograph:

• 1Gutters and downspouts — fresh circular dents in soft aluminum confirm hail size and density
• 2AC condenser fins — bent fins are one of the clearest indicators of significant hail impact
• 3Window screens — perforation patterns show impact angle and approximate stone size
• 4Painted wood trim, fascia, and siding — fresh paint chips or dings distinguish this storm from prior damage
• 5Vehicles — if parked outside, document every dent (separate auto claim, but confirms the event)
• 6Any outdoor furniture, skylights, or solar panels that show fresh impact marks

Take more photos than you think you need. Adjusters work from documentation — the more evidence you have, the stronger your position when the estimate is disputed.

What should I not do in the days after a hailstorm?

The most consequential mistake homeowners make is signing something too early. After significant hail events in Dallas, Houston, and Denver, out-of-state contractors arrive within 24–48 hours canvassing neighborhoods. They often ask homeowners to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) or a contingency roofing contract before the insurance adjuster has inspected the property.

Avoid these actions before the adjuster visits:

• ✕Signing an Assignment of Benefits — this transfers your claim rights to the contractor
• ✕Signing a roofing contract or "letter of intent" with any company you have not independently verified
• ✕Authorizing permanent repairs — this can void coverage for pre-repair damage that the adjuster never saw
• ✕Disposing of damaged materials — adjusters need to see actual damage, not just your photos

Temporary protective work — tarping a damaged section, placing buckets under active leaks — is fine and typically covered. Keep receipts. Permanent repair before adjuster inspection is the problem.

Should I get an independent inspection before calling my insurer?

Yes — scheduling an independent inspection from a licensed local roofer before or immediately after you file a claim is one of the highest-value steps you can take. A reputable contractor provides this inspection at no cost.

The independent inspection gives you two things:

• A documented assessment of what was damaged — in writing, before the adjuster's estimate anchors the conversation
• A benchmark estimate you can use to identify omissions in the adjuster's estimate

Insurance adjusters use estimating software (Xactimate is the most common) and work quickly. Items routinely missed include code upgrade line items, permit fees, matching shingle provisions, ice-and-water shield replacement, and drip edge. An independent contractor catches these omissions and can submit a supplement to the insurer. See the full insurance claim process guide for how supplementing works.

When should I call my insurance company after hail?

File within 24–72 hours of the storm if you have visible damage. You do not need to have your documentation perfect before calling — just enough to confirm a damage event occurred on a specific date. Have your policy number and the approximate date and time of the storm ready.

Before you call, check your declarations page for your wind/hail deductible. Many homeowner policies in high-hail states — particularly Texas, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma — carry a separate wind/hail deductible expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage (typically 1–2%), not a flat dollar amount. On a home insured for $400,000 with a 1% wind/hail deductible, your out-of-pocket is $4,000 regardless of damage amount.

If your initial estimate is near or below your deductible, filing may not make financial sense — it costs you nothing to get an inspection and estimate first, then decide.

How long do I have to file a hail damage claim?

Claim filing deadlines are set by your policy and your state's insurance regulations — typically 1–2 years from the date of loss. Texas mandates that insurers acknowledge a claim within 15 days and accept or deny within 15 business days after receiving documentation. Colorado requires prompt notice but does not specify a statutory filing deadline — your policy language controls.

Do not let the absence of an immediate leak make you wait. Hail damage that does not immediately leak often leads to leaks 6–18 months later when the compromised shingles fail under normal weather stress. Filing while the storm event is fresh and well-documented is almost always preferable to filing after water damage has occurred.

72-hour post-storm checklist

See recent storm activity, repair cost estimates, and local claim guidance for your city: