A wind storm just damaged your roof. You see missing shingles from the ground, debris in the yard, maybe a leak in the ceiling. The next seven days will largely determine whether your insurance claim succeeds, partially succeeds, or gets denied.
This is not legal advice and your specific policy varies — but the pattern of mistakes that sink claims is consistent enough to be useful. Here is the playbook.
First 24 hours: document and protect
Before anything else, document the damage from the ground with date-stamped photos. Most smartphones embed timestamp metadata automatically — confirm the date is set correctly. Take photos of every visible angle of the roof, the yard debris, any interior water marks, and any damage to outbuildings or fences caused by the same storm. The volume and timing of these photos matter more than their quality.
Cover any active leak with a tarp if it is safe to do so. Insurance policies typically require "reasonable steps to prevent further damage" — failing to do this can reduce or void your claim. Photograph the damage before tarping, and keep receipts for any tarps, ropes, or temporary repairs.
Do not let any contractor onto the roof yet. The roof is part of the evidence. A contractor who walks the roof before the adjuster does can damage it inadvertently or create disputes about what was original storm damage versus contractor work.
First 72 hours: file the claim
Call your insurance company's claims line and file. Have your policy number, the date and time of the storm, a description of the damage, and the photos ready. Write down the claim number you receive, the name of the representative, and the date and time of the call. This is not paranoia — it is normal claims practice.
Do not assign benefits to anyone yet. "Assignment of benefits" (AOB) is a clause where you authorize a contractor to bill insurance directly. It is heavily marketed by some roofers and storm-chasers because it gives them control of the claim. It also creates disputes that leave the homeowner in the middle. File the claim yourself.
Schedule the adjuster visit. Adjusters typically come out 3-10 days after a claim is filed. The earlier the better — fresh damage is easier to evaluate.
Within 48 hours: ignore the door-knockers
Within 48 hours of any significant wind event, a wave of door-to-door roofers will start in your neighborhood. Some are local and reputable. Many are storm-chasers — out-of-state operators who follow weather events, sign up homeowners, and disappear before warranty claims arise.
The storm-chaser pitch is usually some version of: "We saw damage on your roof. We can come up and take pictures, give you a quote, handle the insurance claim for you." Decline politely. Reputable contractors don't cold-call after storms; they earn business through reputation and referrals.
Verify any contractor you are considering: state license, general liability insurance ($1M+), workers compensation, BBB record, and at least three local customer references whose roofs are 3+ years old. Storm-chasers cannot pass these checks; that is the point.
Day 3-10: the adjuster visit
The insurance adjuster will come out, walk the roof, document the damage, and write an estimate. You can be present (recommended) or not. If you are present, do not steer the inspection — let them do their work. If they ask questions, answer factually.
You can also have a contractor present at the inspection. This is your right and many adjusters welcome it. It also creates a real-time check on the adjuster's estimate. Choose a contractor you have already vetted, not one who showed up at your door.
After the inspection, the adjuster will issue a "Statement of Loss" with the approved scope and dollar amount. Read it carefully. Compare against your contractor's estimate. Disputes at this stage are common and usually resolvable through supplemental claims — adding line items the original estimate missed.
Within 30 days: the first payment
Most policies pay in two installments: an "actual cash value" (ACV) check first (the depreciated value of the damaged materials), and a "recoverable depreciation" check after work is complete and verified. Combined, these equal the full replacement cost minus your deductible.
You pay the deductible. Always. Any contractor offering to "waive your deductible" by inflating the bill is committing insurance fraud and exposing you to criminal liability. Walk away.
The depreciation check requires proof of completion — typically a final invoice from the contractor. Do not let work drag on; the recoverable depreciation has a time limit (often 12-24 months) after which it is forfeited.
The most common mistakes
Waiting too long to file. Most policies have a "prompt notice" requirement — typically 30-60 days. File within a week of the damage if possible.
Letting a contractor inspect before the adjuster does. They walk the roof, knock loose more shingles, and the adjuster blames recent damage on the contractor.
Signing an Assignment of Benefits at a contractor's urging. This is the single most common pattern that ruins claims — the contractor gets bill-direct rights and the homeowner loses control.
Accepting "deductible waiving" offers. Insurance fraud, period.
Throwing away damaged materials before the adjuster sees them. Bag the debris but keep it on the property until after the inspection.
Hiring a public adjuster only after the claim is denied. They can help, but they typically take 10-15% of the recovered amount, and getting them involved early is far more effective than late.