Storm Damage Roof Checklist: What to Do Before Calling Insurance

Your step-by-step guide from roofing experts who put homeowners first.

When a storm hits — wind, hail, or heavy rain — your roof takes the first impact. Before you pick up the phone to call your insurance company, there are a few essential steps every homeowner should follow to protect their home, ensure a smooth claim process, and avoid costly mistakes.

Below is a simple, homeowner-friendly checklist you can use after any storm. Print it, save it, and keep it handy — it could save you thousands.

1. Make Sure Your Home Is Safe

Before anything else, put safety first.

✔️ Check for hazards like downed power lines, broken glass, or loose debris. 

✔️ Avoid climbing on the roof. Wet shingles, wind-loosened materials, or hidden structural issues can make it extremely dangerous. 

✔️ If there’s active leaking, set a bucket/towels and move valuables away.

2. Take Photos & Videos From the Ground

Insurance loves documentation — the more, the better.

✔️ Photograph the exterior: shingles on the ground, damaged gutters, dented siding, lifted shingles, fallen branches. 

✔️ Get multiple angles, daytime if possible. 

✔️ Take photos of interior damage: water stains, wet insulation, ceiling bubbling, etc. 

✔️ Record short videos walking around the property.

These images become your baseline evidence before any repairs or tarping begin.

3. Check Your Attic

This is one of the most overlooked — but most important — steps.

✔️ Look for water dripping, damp insulation, dark stains, moldy smells, or sunlight shining through decking. 

✔️ If you see anything questionable, photograph it immediately. 

✔️ Keep track of where the leak is in relation to the exterior so your roofer can pinpoint it faster.

4. Look for Signs of Wind or Hail Damage

Different storm types leave different clues:

Wind Damage

●     Missing shingles

●     Creased, bent, or lifted shingles

●     Broken seals (shingles flapping in the wind)

●     Detached gutters or siding

Hail Damage

●     Circular impact marks

●     Granule loss (your gutters may be full of granules)

●     Dented metal flashing

●     Soft bruises on shingles you can feel but may be hard to see

You never have to diagnose the damage yourself — your roofer will do this — but knowing what to look for helps you confirm whether a call is necessary.

5. Protect Your Home From Further Damage

Insurance companies expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent ongoing damage.

✔️ Place buckets or towels under leaks 

✔️ Move electronics or furniture 

✔️ If safe, cover broken windows with plastic 

✔️ If the roof is actively leaking, call a roofer for emergency tarping — most insurance policies cover this

Failing to mitigate further damage can sometimes affect claim approval, so take this step seriously.

6. Call a Trusted Local Roofer for a Storm Inspection

Before you call the insurance company, get a professional inspection. Why?

Because your roofer:

●     Knows exactly what counts as insurance-approved damage

●     Helps document damage professionally

●     Can provide the required inspection report

●     Meets your adjuster on site to advocate for you

●     Can tell you if filing a claim is actually worth it

●     Keeps you from filing unnecessary claims (which can raise premiums)

At Lemus Remodeling, we specialize in storm damage inspections, photo documentation, emergency tarping, and helping homeowners navigate the claims process from start to finish.

7. Gather Your Documents Before Calling Insurance

Once a roofer confirms a legitimate claim, gather:

✔️ Photos & videos 

✔️ Storm date & time 

✔️ Roofer's inspection report 

✔️ Any temporary repair receipts 

✔️ Warranty or previous work documents 

✔️ Your policy number and deductible info

Having these ready speeds up the claim, reduces stress, and minimizes the back-and-forth with your adjuster.

8. Only Call Your Insurance Company After a Roofer Confirms Damage

This is crucial.

Calling insurance creates a permanent claim record, even if no work is ultimately needed. You want a roofing expert — not the adjuster — to assess your roof first.

Your roofer can tell you if:

●     The damage is severe enough

●     Your deductible makes a claim worthwhile

●     The storm caused direct impact damage or just wear-and-tear

●     You’re likely to be approved

This protects your claim history and your wallet.

Final Thoughts: Your Roof Comes First — Your Stress Comes Last

Storms are unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be. By following this checklist, homeowners can stay protected, stay organized, and avoid the common pitfalls that delay or deny insurance claims.

Lemus Remodeling is here to help with:

✔️ Free roof inspections 

✔️ Emergency tarping 

✔️ Storm documentation 

✔️ Insurance claim support 

✔️ High-quality, no-pressure roof replacement

If you recently experienced a storm in PA, NJ, or DE, call us today — we’ll walk you through every step.