Dark storm clouds over a Texas residential neighborhood
Guide 05

What to do about your roof after a Texas storm

Texas gets hit hard. The state averages over 400 reported hailstorms per year — more than any other state — and central Texas sits squarely in what meteorologists call Hail Alley. The question after a major storm is not just whether the roof looks damaged from the ground. It is whether the damage meets the threshold for an insurance claim, and what the homeowner should do before time and weather make things worse.

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Snapshot
Focus
Storm response and claims
Reading time
12 min
Key risk
Waiting too long to act

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Why urgency matters

Storm damage does not always look obvious — but it gets worse with every season you wait. Hail bruises shingles in ways that are hard to see from the ground. A 1-inch hailstone — roughly quarter-sized — striking an asphalt shingle at terminal velocity can crack the mat, knock protective granules loose, and compromise the waterproofing layer without leaving an obvious mark visible from 30 feet below. Hailstones 1.5 inches and larger almost always cause functional damage to standard roofing materials, and Texas storms regularly produce hail in the 1 to 3 inch range. Once that damage exists, the clock starts. Granule loss accelerates UV degradation of the exposed asphalt. Cracked or lifted shingles let moisture reach the underlayment and eventually the decking. What starts as cosmetic damage can become a leak, mold issue, or structural problem if it sits through another Texas summer — where sustained 100-degree heat, thermal cycling, and afternoon storms put additional stress on already-compromised materials. Texas insurance policies also have filing deadlines. Most homeowner policies require claims to be filed within one to two years of the storm date, though some carriers have tightened that window. Waiting too long can mean losing coverage for damage that was absolutely claimable. And here is the part most homeowners miss: the filing deadline starts with the storm, not with the day you notice a problem inside the house. By the time you see a water stain on the ceiling, the claim window may already be closing. Start with the issue in front of you. Get clear on the next step.

What to do after a major storm hits your area

1
Do a safe ground-level check within the first 24 hours

Walk the perimeter of your home. Look for downed shingles or roofing debris in the yard, dented gutters and downspouts, cracked or pitted siding, damaged window screens, and dented outdoor HVAC units. If hail was large enough to dent aluminum gutters or outdoor furniture, it was almost certainly large enough to damage asphalt shingles. Do not climb onto the roof — a professional inspection is safer and far more thorough.

2
Document everything you can see — photos, video, and dates

Take photos and video of all visible damage from the ground, including wide shots of the roofline and close-ups of any debris, dents, or missing material. Note the date of the storm and save local weather reports or National Weather Service hail size data for your area. This documentation becomes part of your claim file and establishes the storm date if there is ever a question about timing.

3
Schedule a professional roof inspection within 72 hours

A qualified roofer can identify hail hits, wind lift, bruising, granule loss, cracked flashing, and compromised sealant that you cannot see from the ground. Most reputable roofing companies offer free storm-damage inspections and provide a written report with photos. Get this done quickly — within 72 hours if possible — because early documentation strengthens the insurance claim and helps establish the timeline.

4
File the insurance claim promptly if damage is confirmed

Contact your insurance company to open a claim as soon as professional inspection confirms damage. Provide the storm date, your documentation, and the roofer's inspection report. Request a claim number and your adjuster's contact information. Most insurers prefer notification within 30 days of the storm — even though the legal deadline may be longer — and immediate reporting demonstrates good faith effort to protect the property.

5
Have your roofer present during the adjuster inspection

The insurance adjuster works for the insurance company. A qualified roofer at the inspection advocates for complete damage identification. They can point out damage the adjuster might overlook, provide context about how specific damage affects the roof system, and ensure the plan of the claim reflects the actual repair needs — not just the most obvious surface issues.

6
Do not sign a roofing contract before the claim is settled

You need to know what insurance will cover before committing to a plan and price. A reputable roofer will not pressure you to sign before the claim process is complete. Be especially cautious of contractors who show up uninvited after a storm and push for an immediate signature — legitimate local companies do not need to chase storms door to door.

Common storm-claim friction points and how to avoid delays

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01

Treating interior leaks as the first signal

Most hail damage is not visible from inside the house until months later when compromised shingles start failing under UV exposure and thermal cycling. Granule loss, hairline cracks, and bruised mat material can all exist without a single interior leak — until the next heavy rain finds the weakened spots. By then, the claim window may be closing or closed.

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02

Waiting too long to file

Texas insurers generally require claims within one to two years of the storm date, but some carriers and policies have shorter windows. Beyond the legal deadline, waiting reduces your leverage — the insurer can argue that subsequent weather, wear, or neglect contributed to the current condition. Filing promptly, even if you are not sure the damage is severe, protects your options.

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03

Limited documentation at inspection time

Adjusters are trained to assess damage, but they are also trained to manage claim costs. A qualified roofer at the inspection ensures all damage is identified, documented with photos, and included in the claim estimate. Homeowners who skip this step frequently receive initial claim estimates that undervalue the repair — sometimes by thousands of dollars — and then face a longer supplemental claim process to close the gap.

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04

Choosing a contractor before vetting credentials

After a major hail event, storm-chasing contractors flood affected neighborhoods — sometimes within hours. Not all of them will be around in six months to honor a warranty. Before signing with any roofer, verify their Texas contractor license, confirm current liability and workers' compensation insurance, check their physical business address, and ask for local references. A company that has been serving central Texas for years has a very different accountability profile than one that arrived last Tuesday.

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05

Stopping after the first scope disagreement

If the adjuster says there is no damage but your professional roofer disagrees, you have options. You can request a re-inspection with a different adjuster, provide your roofer's detailed report and photos as supplemental evidence, or hire a public adjuster for an independent evaluation. Claim denials are not always final — they are sometimes a starting point for negotiation, especially when the homeowner has strong documentation.

Storm damage and insurance questions

Recent storm in your area?

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If a storm recently came through your neighborhood, a free inspection can tell you whether there is claimable damage — before the filing window closes or the next storm compounds the problem.

Storm season

When Austin gets hit hardest by hail

Central Texas hail season peaks from March through June. Most insurance policies require claims within one year of the damage event. If you suspect damage from a spring storm, do not wait until winter to get an inspection.

Austin metro annual average (10-year data)