Short answer
After a hail or wind storm, stay safe, write down the storm date, and photograph all damage, including dents on gutters and vents. Make safe temporary repairs like tarping to prevent more damage and keep receipts. Read your policy for the deductible and reporting deadlines, report the claim promptly, and be careful about signing anything with door-to-door contractors.
Severe thunderstorms with hail and strong winds are a regular part of spring and summer in Indiana. If a storm has just come through your neighborhood, here's how to protect your home and your claim.
1. Stay safe first
Don't climb on a wet or damaged roof. Stay away from downed power lines and report them to your utility. If a tree is on the house or there's structural damage, keep people out of that area until it's checked.
2. Write down the date and document the damage
Note the date and approximate time of the storm. Then take photos and video of everything you can safely see:
- Hail on the ground, with a coin or ruler for scale, if you can get to it quickly
- Dents on gutters, downspouts, roof vents, mailboxes, grills, and outdoor AC units
- Missing shingles, shingles in the yard, and damaged siding, screens, or windows
- Fallen trees and limbs, and anything they hit
- Any water stains or leaks inside the home
Dents on soft metals like gutters and vents are useful evidence because they show hail hit the property, even when roof damage is hard to see from the ground.
3. Prevent further damage
Most homeowners policies expect you to take reasonable steps to protect the property from more damage. That can mean tarping an opening in the roof, boarding a broken window, or moving belongings away from a leak. Photograph the damage before you cover it, keep every receipt, and only do what's safe. Temporary repairs are usually part of the claim; permanent repairs generally should wait until the damage is documented.
4. Read your policy and report the claim
Find your policy and look for the deductible, especially any separate wind or hail deductible, and the time limits for reporting a loss. Then report the claim to your insurer promptly and write down your claim number, your adjuster's name, and every conversation.
5. Be careful with storm chasers
After big storms, contractors from all over show up knocking on doors. Many are legitimate; some aren't. Before you sign anything:
- Get the company's full name, local address, and references.
- Read every document before you sign it. Some contracts say more than they appear to.
- Never pay large amounts upfront.
- Get more than one estimate if you can.
6. Be there for the inspection
When the insurance adjuster inspects, be there if you can. Point out everything you've documented, including interior damage and other structures like fences and sheds. Ask what they found and when you'll get the estimate. If you've hired a public adjuster, they can attend for you.
7. Review the estimate carefully
Compare the insurer's estimate against what you and your contractor see. Common problems include a repair approved when the damage supports replacement, missing items like drip edge, starter, ridge, or ice and water shield, low measurements, and siding or gutters left out entirely. Read more about roof and hail claims and wind and storm claims.
8. Know your options if it falls short
If the estimate seems low or the claim is denied, you can ask questions, request a re-inspection, and submit additional documentation. A public adjuster can review the claim and handle the negotiation. See how to respond to a denied or underpaid roof claim.
We help homeowners in Indianapolis, Fishers, Plainfield, Greenwood, and across central Indiana. Request a free claim review.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every policy is different. Read your own policy, and talk to a licensed professional about your specific claim.