If you live in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, you already know that spring and early summer storm season is not something to take lightly. North Texas sits squarely in Hail Alley - a geographic corridor that receives more large hail than almost anywhere else in the country. In a single severe weather event, hailstones can strip granules from shingles, crack tile, dent metal panels, damage gutters, and create vulnerabilities that lead to costly water intrusion if not addressed promptly.
Knowing exactly what to do - and what not to do - in the 48 hours after a storm is one of the most valuable things you can know as a Texas homeowner. This guide walks you through the process step by step, from staying safe immediately after the storm to navigating your insurance claim and selecting a trustworthy contractor.
Immediately After the Storm: Stay Safe
Before anything else, your priority is safety. Do not go onto your roof after a storm. Wet shingles are dangerously slippery, and structural damage may not be visible from the outside. A roof that looks intact from the ground may have compromised decking or damaged rafters that could give way. Wait for conditions to fully clear and, if you need to assess roof damage, do so from the ground using binoculars.
Also inspect your property's exterior for hazards before moving around freely:
- Downed power lines - assume any downed wire is live and stay away
- Broken tree limbs that may still be hanging or unstable
- Standing water that may be concealing damage
- Structural cracks or shifts in your foundation, walls, or chimney
If there is active structural damage to your home or active flooding inside, contact emergency services before calling your insurance company or a roofer.
Step 1: Document Everything Before Any Cleanup
This step is the one homeowners most commonly skip - and it can cost them thousands when it comes to their insurance claim. Before you move any debris, before you tarp anything, and before you call anyone, take comprehensive photographic and video documentation of:
- Your entire roof from multiple angles and distances
- Every area of visible damage on the roof surface
- Gutters and downspouts (hail dents in aluminum gutters are excellent evidence)
- Any fallen debris on your lawn or driveway
- AC condenser units, skylights, and any other exterior equipment that may show impact marks
- Interior water stains on ceilings, walls, or in the attic
- Any personal property that was damaged
Photograph the date and time displayed on your phone or a newspaper alongside damage if possible. Email copies of all photos to yourself to create a timestamped backup. This documentation is the foundation of your insurance claim and should be as thorough as possible.
Step 2: Prevent Additional Damage - But Do It Safely
Most homeowner's insurance policies contain a clause requiring you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after an insured event. If there are active leaks, open areas, or damaged sections of roof that could allow water penetration during the next rain, you have an obligation to address them.
The safest way to do this is to call a licensed roofing contractor for emergency tarping. Attempting to tarp your own roof is dangerous under the best circumstances - and in the immediate aftermath of a storm, conditions are far from ideal. Reputable roofing companies, including Commit Roofing, offer 24/7 emergency response services precisely for this situation.
Keep receipts for any emergency protective measures you take - these costs are typically reimbursable under your insurance policy as part of the claim.
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company Promptly
After documenting damage and securing your home, contact your homeowner's insurance company to open a claim. Have ready:
- Your policy number
- The date and time of the storm event
- A brief description of the damage you've observed
- Your documentation (photos and video)
Your insurer will assign a claim number and schedule an adjuster visit. In the wake of a major storm event affecting a large area, adjusters can be backed up by days or even weeks. Get your claim opened immediately to avoid being further back in the queue.
Important: do not let the adjuster's visit delay any necessary emergency protective work. Document what you did and why, keep all receipts, and your policy should cover these preventive measures.
Step 4: Get an Independent Professional Roof Inspection
Here is something many homeowners don't realize: insurance adjusters are not roofing specialists. They are claims assessors working from a checklist, often processing dozens of claims per day following a major storm. They may miss damage, undervalue the scope of repairs needed, or use material pricing that doesn't reflect current market rates.
Before your adjuster visit - or immediately after - have a licensed roofing contractor perform their own independent inspection. A qualified roofer will identify:
- Hail impact marks on shingles that may not be immediately obvious
- Granule loss patterns consistent with impact damage
- Soft spots in shingles indicating bruising below the surface
- Damaged flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents
- Gutter and downspout damage that affects drainage
- Damage to ridge cap, hip shingles, and starter strips
At Commit Roofing, we provide free storm damage inspections and will be present at your adjuster meeting if you request it. Having a licensed contractor on-site during the adjuster visit significantly increases the likelihood that all damage is properly documented and included in your claim.
Step 5: Understand the Claims and Approval Process
Once your adjuster inspects and documents the damage, your insurance company will issue an initial estimate - called the Actual Cash Value (ACV) payment. This is typically lower than the full Replacement Cost Value (RCV) of your roof.
Here's how the process typically works in Texas:
- ACV Payment: Your insurer releases the cash value of your damaged roof, minus depreciation and your deductible. This is the initial check you receive.
- Contractor Work: Your roofing contractor completes the replacement or repair.
- Recoverable Depreciation: Once the work is complete, you submit your contractor's final invoice and the insurer releases the withheld depreciation (the difference between ACV and RCV).
If the adjuster's assessment seems low or incomplete, you have the right to request a re-inspection or hire a public adjuster. Your roofing contractor can also submit a supplemental claim on your behalf if additional damage is identified during the repair process - this is common and legitimate.
What to Avoid After Storm Damage
Just as important as what to do is what to avoid:
- Don't sign anything with a door-to-door contractor. The weeks after a major storm bring out "storm chasers" - out-of-town contractors who work the insurance claim, do a fast job, and disappear when problems emerge. They often have no local presence, no warranty backing, and no accountability.
- Don't start repairs before the adjuster visits, unless emergency work is necessary to prevent further damage - and document everything you do.
- Don't use bleach or a pressure washer on your roof to "clean" storm damage. Both methods destroy shingles and can invalidate warranty claims.
- Don't delay reporting. Most policies have a window - often one to two years - to file storm damage claims. But delayed reporting can also complicate claims because new weather events create ambiguity about when specific damage occurred.
- Don't let a contractor ask you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB). This transfers your insurance rights to the contractor, removing your control over the claim settlement.
Choosing the Right Roofing Contractor for Storm Damage in DFW
After a storm, you want a contractor who is local, licensed, insured, and experienced specifically with insurance claims in Texas. Look for:
- A physical address in the DFW area (not just a P.O. box)
- A Texas roofing contractor license and general liability insurance
- Experience working with major insurers like State Farm, Allstate, USAA, and Farmers
- Verified Google reviews from local homeowners
- A workmanship warranty of at least 5 years
- Willingness to be present at your adjuster meeting
Commit Roofing has helped hundreds of Dallas-area homeowners navigate the storm damage and insurance claim process. We handle documentation, adjuster meetings, supplemental claims, and the complete repair or replacement - so you don't have to become an insurance claims expert to protect your home. Contact us for a free storm damage inspection any time.