General information only. This site is an information and referral service, not a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster, and not an insurer. No one can promise an outcome for a claim before an inspection, and any contractor or adjuster who promises one is not someone to trust.
After a storm, homeowners face two separate problems at once: protecting the home, and documenting what happened. Doing them in that order, and refusing pressure at each step, is what protects you.
Step 1: Make the Home Safe and Limit Further Damage
If water is actively coming in, contain it inside with buckets and towels, and move belongings away from the leak. If a roof section is open, a tarp or emergency cover over the opening can prevent far worse interior damage. If you can see structural damage, a hanging limb, or a downed wire, stay clear and call the relevant utility or emergency service first — a roof can wait; a live wire cannot. Do not climb on a wet, wind-damaged, or steep roof yourself. Most insurers expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, so keep receipts and notes for anything you spend or do.
Step 2: Document Before Anything Is Disturbed
- Take dated photos and short videos from the ground and from inside the attic, if safe: the roof surface, missing or displaced pieces, damage to gutters, siding, and yard items, and any interior stains or drips.
- Note the storm’s date and time as best you can, and keep any weather alerts or news reports you received.
- Photograph any debris — branches, hail-damaged items, displaced shingles — before it is moved.
- Keep a simple written timeline: when you first noticed damage, who you called, and what each person said.
- Do not sign anything or agree to any scope of work before you have documented and had an inspection.
Step 3: Get a Roofing Inspection
An independent inspection establishes what is actually damaged and what is not, before any claim is filed or any repair is promised. The inspector should walk the roof and the attic (when accessible), photograph their own findings, and give you a written summary you can keep — the same discipline described on our Roof Inspection page. A claim filed with a clear inspection summary is easier for everyone, including your insurer, to evaluate fairly.
Step 4: Understand the Claim Process, in General Terms
Generally, you report the loss to your insurer, an adjuster inspects and determines coverage under your specific policy, and payment follows the policy’s terms (including any deductible and depreciation rules). Policies differ widely, and the exact coverage, exclusions, and timelines depend on your policy and your insurer — this page cannot and does not interpret your policy. Keep copies of everything: the claim number, adjuster notes, photos, and any written communications. If a claim is denied or underpaid, you can seek a second opinion, including from a licensed public adjuster or an attorney, but that decision is yours to make with professional advice, not a contractor’s sales pitch.
Pressure Tactics to Refuse, Calmly
- “We can get your whole roof replaced for free” — no one can promise that before an inspection and an insurer’s determination.
- “Sign this now or you will lose your claim” — claims have filing deadlines, but they are not measured in hours at your door.
- “Let us handle your claim and you never have to talk to your insurer” — assigning your claim to a contractor limits your control and can create disputes.
- “We need a deposit today to hold your spot” — legitimate companies provide written proposals you can compare.
Roofing work in Virginia should be performed by a company holding a Virginia DPOR contractor license (Class A, B, or C) and carrying insurance. You can verify a license through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation before work begins, and any company that resists that check is not one to hire.
Call for roofing help: Request roofing service — tell us whether the damage is active (leaking or open to weather) or already contained, and note whether a tarp or other emergency cover is needed.