The short answer
After a storm, stay off the roof, photograph what you can safely see from the ground, stop water from spreading inside, and contact your insurance company. A professional photo report of the roof itself gives your insurer clear documentation of what was damaged.
Every policy is different, and your insurance company decides what’s covered. This guide is general information, not insurance or legal advice.
Stay safe first
- Don’t climb on the roof. Wet, damaged roofs are slippery and can hide weak spots.
- Stay clear of downed power lines, and call your utility company if you see one.
- If water is dripping near light fixtures, turn off power to that area at the breaker.
Document what you can from the ground
Photos taken soon after the storm help show when the damage happened.
- Wide shots of each side of the house, then close-ups of anything visibly damaged
- Shingles, tiles, or pieces of flashing in the yard or gutters
- Branches or debris on the roof
- Inside the house: ceiling stains, drips, and wet drywall or insulation
Keep the photos, and write down what happened and when.
Limit further damage
Many policies expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to keep damage from getting worse.
- Put buckets and towels under drips, and move belongings out of the way
- If you pay for emergency help such as tarping, keep the receipts
- Don’t throw away damaged materials until your insurance company says it’s okay
Call your insurance company
Report the damage as soon as you can. Ask how they want photos submitted, whether they’ll send an adjuster, and what documentation they need from a roofer. Write down your claim number and the name of the person you spoke with.
Get a professional photo report
Photos from the ground only tell part of the story. We inspect the roof, document wind-lifted shingles, cracked flashing, and failed valleys, and give you a full photo report you can send straight to your insurance company. Storm damage repairs are completed same-week.
Leaking right now? Call or text (310) 312-8107, or read more about storm damage repair.
