How Does the Storm Damage Insurance Claim Process Work?

Severe storms can cause significant damage to your home, especially your roof, siding, and gutters. Hail and high winds can loosen or damage shingles, crack siding, dent gutters, and create problems that may not be immediately visible from the ground.

If you suspect your home was damaged during a storm, you may also be wondering whether to file an insurance claim and what happens once you do.

Storm Damage Insurance Claim Process: Step by Step

While every insurance policy and claim is different, understanding the general storm damage insurance claim process can help you know what to expect. From documenting potential damage to completing repairs, here is a step by step look at the process.

1. Check Your Property After the Storm

Once it is safe to go outside, look around your property for visible signs of storm damage. From the ground, you may notice missing or damaged shingles, dented gutters, damaged siding, fallen debris, or signs of water damage inside your home.

Some hail and wind damage can be difficult to see without getting onto the roof. Even if your roof is not leaking, it may have sustained damage during a severe storm.

If hail is your primary concern, read our guide to 7 Signs Your Home Has Hail Damage in Southern Wisconsin. If wind is your primary concern, read What Wind Damage Looks Like on a Roof in Wisconsin.

2. Document What You Can See

Take photos or videos of visible damage around your property. It can also be helpful to record the date of the storm and any information you have about the weather event.

Avoid making permanent repairs before the property has been properly documented unless they are necessary to prevent additional damage.

If emergency work is required, such as covering an exposed section of the roof, keep photos and records of the work that was completed.

3. Schedule a Professional Storm Damage Inspection

The next step is to have your home inspected by an experienced local exterior contractor. A professional inspection can help determine whether your roof or other exterior components show signs of hail, wind, or storm damage.

An inspection does not automatically mean you need a new roof or that you should file an insurance claim. The purpose is to understand what damage exists and what may be needed to repair it.

For a closer look at the inspection and documentation process, read Hail Damage Roof Inspections in Southeastern Wisconsin.

4. Review Your Homeowners Insurance Policy

If storm damage is found, review your homeowners insurance policy before filing a claim.

Coverage varies by insurance company and policy. Important details may include:

• Your deductible

• What types of storm damage are covered

• How roof coverage is calculated

• Whether coverage is based on replacement cost or actual cash value

• Requirements and deadlines for reporting damage

Your insurance company or agent can answer questions about the specific coverage provided by your policy.

5. File the Storm Damage Insurance Claim

If you decide to move forward with a storm damage insurance claim, contact your insurance company to report the damage.

Be prepared to provide basic information such as the date of the storm, whether you experienced hail, wind, or other storm conditions, the type of damage you observed, and which areas of your home may have been affected.

Your insurance company will assign a claim number and explain its process for evaluating the damage. Keep your claim number, insurance contact information, photos, estimates, and other documentation together so they are easy to reference throughout the process.

6. Meet With the Insurance Adjuster

After the claim is filed, the insurance company will typically schedule an adjuster to inspect the property.

The adjuster evaluates the reported damage and documents what they believe is related to the storm. They may inspect the roof and other exterior components and prepare an estimate or scope of work based on their findings.

Your roofing contractor may also be able to meet with the adjuster to point out documented areas of damage and answer questions about the property.

It is important to remember that the contractor and insurance adjuster have different roles. The insurance company determines what is covered under your policy. Your contractor evaluates the physical condition of the home and determines what is needed to properly complete the repairs.

7. Review the Insurance Estimate

After the insurance company evaluates the claim, you may receive documentation outlining the approved scope of work and estimated repair costs.

Review this information carefully. The insurance estimate may include repairs or replacement for multiple parts of the exterior, such as:

• Roofing

• Siding

• Gutters and downspouts

• Flashing

• Vents and roof accessories

• Other storm damaged exterior components

An experienced storm damage contractor can review the scope of work alongside their own inspection findings and proposed repairs.

8. Address Differences or Additional Damage

The insurance estimate and contractor's assessment do not always match exactly.

Sometimes additional storm related damage is identified after the initial insurance inspection.

Other issues may not become apparent until existing materials are removed and work begins.

When appropriate, the contractor may provide additional documentation to the insurance company for review. This is often referred to as a supplement.

A supplement does not guarantee additional coverage. The insurance company reviews the information and determines whether the additional work is covered under the policy.

9. Select Materials and Schedule the Work

Once the scope of work is established, you can begin making decisions about your restoration project.

For a roof replacement, this may include selecting:

• Shingle style and color

• Roofing accessories

• Ventilation components

• Gutters

• Siding or other exterior materials when included in the project

This is also the time to discuss scheduling, project expectations, property preparation, and the anticipated timeline with your contractor.

If multiple areas of your exterior were damaged, coordinating the roof, siding, and gutter work through one contractor can help simplify the restoration process.

10. Complete the Storm Damage Repairs

Your contractor will complete the approved work according to the agreed upon project scope.

If your project includes a roof replacement, the existing roofing materials will be removed, the roof deck will be inspected, and the new roofing system will be installed. For a detailed look at the installation process, read What to Expect During the Roof Replacement Process.

If siding, gutters, or other exterior components are included, those portions of the project may be completed separately depending on scheduling and material availability.

11. Complete the Final Insurance Documentation

After the work is finished, additional documentation may need to be provided to your insurance company.

Depending on the policy and claim, this could include invoices, completion documentation, photos, or other information requested by the insurer.

Some policies also release claim payments in stages, so completing the final paperwork can be an important part of closing out the claim.

Should You Call Your Insurance Company or a Roofing Contractor First?

There is no single answer that applies to every situation.

If your home has obvious major damage or an active leak, contact your insurance company as needed and take reasonable steps to protect the property from additional damage.

When the damage is less obvious, having the property professionally inspected can help you understand whether there is storm damage before deciding whether to file a claim.

A qualified contractor can evaluate the condition of your roof and exterior, but your insurance company ultimately determines whether the damage is covered under your policy.

How Long Does a Storm Damage Insurance Claim Take?

There is no standard timeline for every storm damage claim.

The process can depend on the severity of the storm, the number of claims in the area, adjuster availability, the extent of the damage, insurance company review, material availability, and the scope of repairs.

A straightforward claim may move relatively quickly, while a large restoration involving roofing, siding, gutters, and other exterior components can take longer.

What If Your Insurance Claim Is Denied?

A denied claim does not necessarily mean your home has no damage. It means the insurance company determined that some or all of the reported damage was not covered under the terms of the policy.

If you have questions about a claim decision, start by reviewing the explanation provided by your insurance company. You can ask the insurer for clarification about its findings and what options may be available under your policy.

Your contractor can provide documentation about the physical condition of your roof or exterior, but cannot determine insurance coverage.

Local Storm Damage Repair in Wisconsin and Illinois

When a major storm moves through your community, dealing with property damage and an insurance claim can feel like a lot to manage at once.

PK Contractors helps homeowners throughout Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois inspect and restore homes damaged by hail, wind, and severe weather. Our team can evaluate your roof and exterior, document storm related damage, provide a clear scope of necessary repairs, and work with you throughout the restoration process.

From roofing and siding to gutters, windows, and other exterior repairs, we can help coordinate the work needed to restore your home.

Think your home may have storm damage? Contact PK Contractors to schedule an inspection.