Hail and Wind Damage, and the Insurance Claim

Storm Damage Around Conroe

Montgomery County sits in one of the busiest hail regions in the country, and spring and early summer thunderstorms bring both hail and strong straight-line wind. The damage they leave on a roof is different, and so is what an insurance adjuster looks for. Hail bruises and cracks shingles and dents metal. Wind lifts and tears shingles, usually along edges and ridges. Many storms do both. A roofer can tell you which kind of damage your roof has, how widespread it is, and whether it's likely worth a claim.

Hail or Wind? What Each Leaves Behind

The Claim, Step by Step

1. Photograph from the ground. Every side of the house, gutters, vents you can see, the yard, the date. If you saved hailstones, photograph them next to a coin.
2. Have a roofer look. Ask them to document what they find with photos. If the damage is minor, this can save you from filing a claim that isn't worth your deductible.
3. Report it to your insurer. Policies set time limits. Ask whether you have a separate wind and hail deductible, which is common in Texas.
4. The adjuster's visit. You can ask your roofer to be there to point out damage. The adjuster writes up what the policy covers.
5. Read the settlement. Check whether you're paid replacement cost or actual cash value, which subtracts depreciation for the roof's age. Some policies pay the rest after the work is done.
6. Sign with your roofer. The scope should match the approved claim plus any code items. Your deductible is still yours to pay.

Questions about how claims should be handled go to the Texas Department of Insurance.

Storm Chasers and Door Knockers: What to Ask

After a big storm, people knock on doors offering to look at the roof and promising insurance will cover a new roof. Before signing anything, ask:

• Where is your company based, and how long have you worked in Montgomery County?
• Will you send your insurance certificate from the insurer?
• What happens if a leak shows up a year from now and you've left the area?
• Does anything in this paper give you control of my insurance claim?

And remember: in Texas, a contractor can't pay or waive your deductible, or promise to. A roofer who offers to is breaking the law.

Do I Need a Roofer at the Adjuster Visit?

You don't have to have one, but it often helps. A roofer can point out bruised shingles, damaged flashing and dented vents the adjuster might not check closely, and can explain what a full repair would involve. Your roofer works for you, not for the insurance company.

What if the Adjuster Says There's No Damage?

You can ask for a second inspection, provide your roofer's photos and notes, or ask about the policy's appraisal process. Some owners hire a licensed public adjuster for large disputes. If you believe a claim was handled unfairly, the Texas Department of Insurance takes complaints.

Right After a Storm

• Stay off the roof and away from downed lines.
• If water is coming in, call for a temporary cover first; the claim can wait a day.
• Don't throw away damaged shingles or pieces of flashing from the yard. Keep them for the adjuster.
• Keep receipts for anything you spend to prevent more damage, such as tarps. Policies often cover reasonable steps.

Storm Repairs Around Conroe

Inside Conroe

• Downtown ConroeConroe
• Grand Central ParkConroe
• ArtaviaConroe
• East ConroeConroe
• WoodforestConroe area
• Lake Conroe ShoreLake Conroe

Lake side and west

• MontgomeryLake side
• Panorama VillageLake side
• WillisNorth on I-45

South along the interstate

• The WoodlandsSouth on I-45
• ShenandoahSouth on I-45
• Oak Ridge NorthSouth on I-45
• SpringHarris County
• MagnoliaFM 1488

East toward the San Jacinto

• Cut and ShootSH 105 east
• PorterUS-59
• New CaneyUS-59
• SplendoraUS-59