Short answer: After a hail storm, stay safe first, then photograph the damage, cover anything that is leaking, keep your receipts, have a roofer inspect the roof, and call your insurance company if the damage is worth a claim. Avoid signing anything on the spot, and be careful with contractors who show up uninvited.
Hail can hit Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Owasso or Sand Springs in a few minutes and leave damage you’ll be dealing with for months. When it’s over, here is a simple checklist you can follow.
What should I do first after the storm passes?
Make sure everyone is safe. Check for downed power lines, broken glass and standing water before you go outside. Stay off the roof. A hail-damaged roof can be slippery and unsafe, and you don’t need to climb up to take pictures.
If there is major damage or anyone is hurt, call emergency services first. Everything else on this list can wait until it’s safe.
How do I document hail damage?
Take photos and video before you move or clean up anything. Walk the property and look for:
Loose granules on the roof, in gutters or on the ground are worth a close-up photo.
- Dented or cracked gutters, downspouts and vents
- Dings on siding, window screens, garage doors, and metal flashing
- Damaged fences, patio furniture, grills and outdoor items
- Hail marks on soft metals, which can be a clue about hail size
- Debris, torn shingle pieces or granules on the ground and in the gutters
- Water stains on ceilings, walls or in the attic
Take wide shots and close-ups. If you can see the roof safely from the ground, snap what you can. Note the date and time of the storm. The Oklahoma Insurance Department’s advice is to take numerous photos or videos and to not throw anything away unless your insurance company tells you to.
How do I protect my home from more damage?
If your roof is leaking or has exposed areas, cover them. The Oklahoma Insurance Department recommends making the repairs needed to prevent further damage, such as covering broken windows, holes and leaking roofs. A tarp or temporary patch is fine. Move belongings away from leaks
What the Oklahoma Insurance Department says to hold off on is permanent repairs. Wait until your insurance company has inspected the property and you have agreed on the cost of repairs.
Save every receipt, including temporary repair costs. Some policies may reimburse them, so ask your insurer.
Should I get on the roof to check for damage?
No. Climbing on a roof after hail is risky, and walking on damaged shingles can make things worse. A roofer can do it safely and tell you what they find. Many hail problems are also hard to see from the ground, such as bruised shingles or granule loss.
Who should inspect my roof?
Someone local you can look up, check references on, and reach again if there’s a problem. The Oklahoma Insurance Department suggests having your roof inspected by a trusted roofing contractor, and recommends checking references, getting more than one bid and confirming the contractor’s license and insurance with the Construction Industries Board.
A local crew looks over the home before any work starts, and a roofer climbs up to inspect the roof.
After a big storm, out-of-town crews often arrive and knock on doors. Some are fine, but the Oklahoma Insurance Department warns to be suspicious of anyone who rushes you, offers unsolicited repairs or says they are backed by the government. Don’t pay upfront, don’t sign a contract with blank spaces, and keep a copy of everything.
Will a roofer pay my insurance deductible?
No. Oklahoma law prohibits a roofing contractor from advertising or promising to pay all or part of your deductible, or offering to compensate you in exchange for the job. The Oklahoma Insurance Department calls it against the law. If someone makes that offer, say no thanks.
Do I need to file an insurance claim?
Not always. Look at your policy first, especially your wind and hail deductible, which is often different from your regular deductible. The Oklahoma Insurance Department says that if damage is below or slightly above your deductible, you may want to pay for repairs yourself, and if it substantially exceeds your deductible, turn the claim in.
If you do file, contact your insurance company or agent, ask what they need, and write down your claim number and who you talked to. You can read the full step-by-step process in our guide to how hail damage insurance claims work in Oklahoma.
How soon should I act?
Soon. Many policies have deadlines for reporting a loss, and storm season often keeps local roofers busy, so waiting can make it harder to get on a schedule. Check your policy or ask your agent about your time limits. Don’t rush into signing with the first person who shows up, though. Acting soon and acting carefully go together.
The after-hail checklist
- Stay safe and stay off the roof.
- Photograph and video all damage, inside and out.
- Note the date and time of the storm.
- Cover leaks or openings with temporary protection.
- Keep every receipt.
- Hold off on permanent repairs until your insurer has inspected.
- Get a local roofer to inspect the roof and give you a written estimate.
- Compare your deductible to the damage.
- Call your insurance company if a claim makes sense.
- Don’t pay upfront or sign anything with blank spaces.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if hail damaged my roof?
You often can’t tell from the ground. Signs include dents in gutters or vents, bruised or cracked shingles, and lots of granules in the gutters. A roofer’s inspection is the best way to know.
How big does hail have to be to damage a roof?
It depends on the roof’s age and condition, the hail’s size and the wind. We don’t use a single rule, which is why we inspect the roof instead of guessing.
Can I wait until spring or summer to deal with it?
We wouldn’t. Damaged roofs can leak after the next rain, and your policy may have time limits for reporting damage. Get it looked at soon.
Is a free roof inspection really free?
Our inspections are. We look at your roof, take photos and tell you honestly what we see. If your roof is fine, we’ll tell you that.
What if my shingles are worn but not storm damaged?
Then a claim may not apply. Depending on the roof, options can include repair, replacement or shingle rejuvenation for shingles that are aging but structurally sound.
Need someone to check your roof after the storm?
Shingle RX of Oklahoma is based at 1920 W Albany St in Broken Arrow and serves Tulsa, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Glenpool, Coweta, Skiatook, Collinsville and nearby communities. We have a 4.8 rating on Google from about 177 reviews. Call us at (844) 777-2979 or book a free roof inspection.