Documenting Storm Damage: The Critical First Hours
The most important thing you can do after storm damage is document everything before anything is moved or repaired. Take hundreds of photos and video—roof, gutters, siding, windows, fencing, vehicles, outbuildings, interior ceilings, and anywhere water entered. Note the date and time of each photo. Check weather service records online and save screenshots showing the storm's time, wind speed, and hail size for your area. File a police report if the storm caused municipal declarations of emergency—these records support your claim's timeline.
The Adjuster's Estimate: Why It's Often Too Low
Insurance adjusters use software (primarily Xactimate) to estimate repair costs, but those estimates often lag current market labor and materials costs in your area. Adjusters may also miss hidden damage—rotted decking under storm-damaged shingles, structural damage behind exterior siding, soffit and fascia damage not visible from ground level. A roofing contractor or general contractor who inspects the property in person—climbing on the roof rather than assessing from the ground—often finds significantly more damage.
Getting Your Own Estimates
Obtain two to three written estimates from licensed local contractors before accepting any settlement. When contractor estimates significantly exceed the insurer's offer, submit them to the insurer with a written request for a revised estimate or supplemental payment. Most insurers will negotiate when presented with specific, documented evidence of undervaluation. If the insurer refuses to increase its offer despite compelling contractor estimates, the appraisal clause is your next tool.
Wind vs. Hail Claims: Separate Coverage Considerations
Wind and hail damage are covered perils under most homeowners policies, but many policies now have separate, higher deductibles specifically for wind and hail—particularly in tornado-prone and coastal areas. Review your declarations page for any "windstorm" or "named storm" deductible that differs from your standard deductible. These separate deductibles can be 1–5% of the dwelling coverage amount rather than a flat dollar amount, producing deductibles of $5,000–$25,000 or more on larger homes.
Review your storm damage claim →
Discuss your case with Yates Anderson
Yates Anderson represents clients in Alabama, Florida, and beyond. Our attorneys handle complex disputes with the rigor of a national firm and the agility of a boutique. Request a case evaluation and an attorney will respond within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
My insurer says my storm-damaged roof is "past its useful life" and will only pay actual cash value. Is that right?
If you have replacement cost coverage (RCV), the insurer must ultimately pay the full replacement cost. However, for roofs past a certain age, some policies limit payment to actual cash value (ACV—replacement cost minus depreciation). Review your policy: some policies explicitly state that roofs over a certain age are covered only on an ACV basis. If your policy promises RCV, depreciation should be paid as "recoverable depreciation" once repairs are completed.
Can I file a storm damage claim years after the storm?
Most policies require you to notify the insurer of a loss "as soon as practicable" and file a proof of loss within a specific period (often 60–180 days). Late claims can be denied on notice grounds if the insurer was prejudiced by the delay. However, latent storm damage that wasn't immediately visible—structural damage discovered during later renovation, for example—may support a later claim if you act promptly upon discovery.
My neighbor got a full roof replacement. Why is my insurer only covering partial repair?
Each claim is evaluated on its own facts and the specific insurer's coverage terms. Neighbors may have different policy terms, different damage documentation, or different adjusters. If you believe your claim was inconsistently evaluated compared to similar nearby properties, this disparity can be relevant evidence in an appeal or appraisal proceeding—particularly if all properties experienced the same storm event.