What to Do After a Hailstorm: A 48-Hour Checklist

The hours after a hailstorm are hectic. Phones light up, neighbors compare dents, and roofers start knocking. A little order goes a long way. Here's what to do, in order, over the first two days.

First few hours: stay safe

• Stay off the roof. Wet, damaged shingles are slippery and easy to damage further
• Watch for downed power lines and report them to your utility
• If water is coming in, move valuables and electronics away and catch drips with buckets
• If a ceiling is sagging with water, keep people out from under it

Same day: document everything

Write down the date and approximate time of the storm. Take photos of anything you can safely see from the ground: dented gutters and downspouts, damaged siding, broken window screens, dented cars and patio furniture. If you can, photograph hailstones next to a coin or ruler for scale. Time-stamped phone photos are a simple, useful record.

Day one: prevent more damage

If there's an active leak or an opening in the roof, get it covered. Most homeowner policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, so keep receipts for tarps or emergency repairs.

Day one or two: get an inspection

A professional inspection tells you whether the roof was actually damaged, which matters before you decide anything else. Choose a local roofer you've checked out, not whoever knocks first. Our inspections are free and include a drone and photo report you keep.

Day two: review your policy

Pull up your declarations page to see your coverage and your wind and hail deductible. Many policies have deadlines for reporting storm damage. If there's real damage, you can file a claim directly with your insurance company, and the decisions about the claim are yours to make.

Watch out for pressure

Don't sign anything on the spot, don't pay in full up front, and walk away from anyone who offers to cover your deductible. That's illegal in Texas.