What to Do Immediately After a Hailstorm Hits Your Home
The storm passed. The hail stopped. Now what?
Most homeowners either panic or do nothing and both cost money. The first 48 hours after a hailstorm matter more than most people realize, especially when it comes to your insurance claim.
Here's exactly what to do, step by step. And if you suspect damage, we offer free roof inspections across Texas.
First, Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
Before anything else, check on your family and pets. Make sure everyone is accounted for and uninjured.
Stay away from windows and exterior walls until the storm has fully passed. Hailstorms often come with high winds and lightning, and the danger doesn't end just because the hail stops falling. If you smell gas or see sparking, evacuate immediately and call 911 from a safe location. Watch for downed power lines and fallen branches when you do go outside — they can still be live.
Safety first. Everything else comes after.
Document Everything You Can See From the Ground
Once it's safe, grab your phone and start taking photos. Dented gutters. Damaged siding. Fallen branches. Any visible damage to vehicles. Water stains on ceilings or walls inside. Walk the perimeter of your home and photograph everything that looks off.
This is the foundation of your insurance claim. Photos taken in the first few hours are often the most useful, because they capture the damage before anything shifts, gets cleaned up, or gets worse.
What you should not do is climb on the roof. It's dangerous, especially after a storm when surfaces may be wet or loose. And without training, you'll likely miss the damage that matters most: the bruising and granule loss that doesn't show up from a quick visual scan.
Don't move debris that might be covering damage, and don't throw anything away that could serve as evidence.
Check Inside for Leaks
Hail damage isn't always visible outside. Sometimes the first sign shows up indoors, days or even weeks later.
Walk through your home and look at your ceilings for water stains, discoloration, or bubbling paint. Check walls for streaks and damp spots. If you can safely access the attic, look for damp insulation, dark spots on the roof decking, or daylight coming through the boards.
If you find water, place buckets or towels to catch drips and move furniture away from the area. Turn off electricity to affected areas if it's safe to do so. And don't ignore it — small leaks spread fast, and what looks like a minor drip today can become a serious problem within weeks.
Interior leaks mean water has already penetrated your roof system. For a full assessment, see our free storm and hail damage innspection services.
Call Your Insurance Company
Call your insurer's claims line as soon as possible. Filing early puts you in line — after major storms, adjusters get backlogged fast, sometimes by weeks.
Before you call, have a few things ready: your policy number, the date of the storm, your photos, and a list of the areas you believe are affected. The call itself is usually straightforward — you'll report the damage, get a claim number, and receive instructions on next steps.
While you have them on the line, ask a few important questions. What's my wind/hail deductible? In Texas, it's usually a percentage of your home's insured value — often 1% to 2% — not a flat dollar amount. What's the deadline for filing? Most policies give you a year, but some are shorter. And how long until an adjuster is assigned?
If you're not sure what's covered, read our guide on whether homeowner's insurance covers hail damage in Texas.
Schedule Your Free Inspection Now
We'll document any damage with photos, provide an itemized estimate, and help you navigate the insurance process — no pressure, no obligation.
Book My Free Roof Inspection →Watch Out for Storm Chasers
Every major hail event brings a wave of out-of-state contractors. Some are legitimate. Many aren't.
Be wary of anyone knocking on your door the day after a storm, offering a "free inspection" with pressure to sign immediately. Check for a local address and license number. Be skeptical of requests for full payment upfront, out-of-state plates, and anyone promising to "waive your deductible" — that's illegal in Texas.
Ask for their Texas license number. Verify they're insured. Check Google reviews and their BBB rating. And never sign anything the same day.
A legitimate contractor will never pressure you to sign on the spot.
A Few Things Not to Do
Don't climb on the roof. Don't sign with the first door-knocker. Don't wait weeks to file a claim. Don't pay upfront in full. And don't assume your roof is fine just because it looks okay from the street.
Hail damage is often invisible — that's what makes it dangerous.
How Long Do You Have to File?
Most Texas policies have a 1-year deadline from the date of loss. Some have shorter windows. After major storms, insurance companies get backlogged — sometimes by weeks.
The sooner you file, the stronger your claim.
If you're in San Antonio or the surrounding area, we serve that market directly through our San Antonio roofing services.
What Happens Next
Once you file, you get a claim number. An adjuster is assigned and schedules an inspection. We attend that meeting to document damage. You receive a settlement offer. If approved, work begins.
From filing to settlement, the process usually takes 2–6 weeks depending on storm volume.
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
Hail damage gets worse over time. What starts as a bruised shingle becomes a leak. A leak becomes mold. Mold becomes structural damage.
The longer you wait, the more it costs.
Storm Just Hit? Get a Free Inspection Today
We'll document any damage with photos, provide an itemized estimate, and help you navigate the insurance process — no pressure, no obligation.
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