The storm has passed, the roof is torn open, the yard is full of debris. At times like this, two hours can win or lose you more than the following weeks: prompt protective measures and thorough photography are the two pillars of storm-damage claims.
- First, photograph everything – then comes sheeting, temporary covering, debris removal.
- Preventing further water ingress is a loss-mitigation obligation – its cost is typically part of the claim.
- After major storms, claim volumes surge: an accurate report backed by photos moves you faster through the queue.
The right order of steps
First: safety – no one should work near a torn-open roof, swinging sheet metal, or downed cables. Second: photograph and film everything just as the storm left it – overall shots and close-ups alike. Third: secure the site – sheeting, temporary fixing, moving stock out of the path of water ingress; keep the invoices and work sheets, they are your proof of loss mitigation. Fourth: report the loss via the insurer's claims line or online portal, with photos. The point of this order is simple: always document before you intervene.
Mass-loss events: what to expect
After a major storm, insurers receive many thousands of reports at once – site visits queue up, and the waiting time is longer. At times like this, a good report is worth even more: an accurate description, well-organised photo documentation, a reachable contact person. Remote inspections (photo- and video-based loss adjustment) are common during stormy periods – prepare well-organised material for it. And an honest point: even the broker can't get you around the queue – what I can do is make sure the case is complete, and get it moving if it stalls: help in a disputed case.
Hail and hidden damage
After a hailstorm, the damage is not always obvious: cracked corrugated sheeting, damaged insulation, micro-cracks in solar panels – these can turn into water ingress weeks later. That's why it's worth carrying out a roof inspection after a storm with hail, and reporting any damage you find afterwards too, referencing the date of the storm. Documenting the roof's condition in advance (one set of photos a year) is worth a lot: it proves the damage came from the storm, not from wear and tear – the details of storm cover.
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