After a Texas hailstorm: a roofer's inspection checklist for homeowners
Texas leads the U.S. in hail-damage insurance claims most years. By the time the storm passes, contractors are already knocking. Knowing who to listen to — and what to do in what order — is the difference between a covered claim and a denied one.
The first 24 hours after the storm
- Stay off the roof. Wet shingles, displaced granules, and unseen hail bruises make it dangerous and you can damage the evidence. Inspect from the ground.
- Photograph everything from the yard. Take wide shots of each side of the house, close-ups of any visible shingle dings, dented gutters, dented HVAC condenser fins, cracked window screens, and damaged outdoor furniture. These corroborate the storm.
- Save weather data. Screenshot the NWS storm report or a service like HailTrace for your address. Insurers will use the same data, and so should you.
- Cover any active leaks. A tarp from the inside (held down with sand bags or 2x4s) buys time without putting you on a wet roof.
Then call your insurer — before you sign with anyone
File the claim with your homeowner's insurance first. Texas policies generally cover hail damage to the roof, and many include dented HVAC condensers and gutters. The adjuster will want:
- Date, time, and location of the storm
- Your photos (cloud upload, not just texts to the agent)
- A claim number — write it down before you forget
- Their preferred timeline for the inspection (usually 1–3 weeks)
Do not sign anything assigning your claim to a contractor (sometimes called an "Assignment of Benefits") before the adjuster has been out. Texas restricts these in some cases, but even where legal they take the negotiating power away from you.
Spotting a storm chaser vs. a real Texas roofer
Within 48 hours of any major hailstorm in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, or San Antonio, dozens of trucks roll into affected neighborhoods. Some are local roofers reaching out to past customers. Others are out-of-state crews that follow storms across the country. The second group is the problem.
Storm chasers tend to:
- Have out-of-state plates or rental trucks
- Use a cell number, not a local landline, on the door hanger
- Offer to "cover your deductible" — which is technically insurance fraud in Texas
- Push you to sign that day so they can "lock in pricing"
- Refuse to provide a Texas business address you can drive to
What a real roof inspection looks like
A reputable Texas roofer's inspection takes 30–60 minutes and produces:
- An attic check from inside the house — the only way to see decking damage and active leaks
- An on-roof inspection of every slope, ridge, valley, and penetration (vents, chimneys)
- Photos of hail strikes per slope, with the slope number marked
- Check of soft metals (vents, flashing) for hail dents — these are objective evidence
- A written estimate with line-item materials
- Recommendation: full replacement, partial slope replacement, or repair
What you should know about insurance "preferred" contractors
The adjuster may give you a list. You are not required to use it. Insurance preferred-vendor programs are convenient but can cap materials and labor at the insurer's rate, which sometimes means shortcuts on underlayment, drip edge, or starter strips. A well-priced independent roofer often delivers better materials at the same out-of-pocket cost.
Materials that matter in Texas
- Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. A real upgrade in hail country, and most Texas insurers offer a discount of 10–35% on the wind/hail portion of the premium.
- Synthetic underlayment. Replaces the old felt; more tear-resistant and water-resistant.
- Ice & water shield in valleys and around penetrations. Code in many Texas jurisdictions, and worth doing even where it isn't.
- Proper ventilation. Texas attics hit 140°F+ in summer. Adequate intake plus ridge vents extend shingle life measurably.
Reasonable Texas roof replacement prices (2026)
- Architectural asphalt, single-story 2,000 sq ft home: $9,500 – $16,500
- Class 4 impact-resistant upgrade: add ~$1,500 – $3,500
- Two-story or steep-slope premium: add 10–25%
- Standing-seam metal roof (40-year): $25,000 – $55,000+
- Repair only (storm-localized damage): $400 – $2,500
Timeline you should expect
- Day 0–2: photos, file claim, get claim number.
- Day 5–21: insurance adjuster inspection.
- Day 7–30: get 2–3 written quotes from licensed Texas roofers — schedule them before the adjuster if you can, so you have independent documentation.
- Day 14–45: receive insurance settlement; review line items vs. roofer's scope.
- Day 30–90: roof installed (depends on storm volume — major storms push wait times to 3+ months).
Documents to keep on file forever
- The claim number and adjuster's contact info
- Your roofer's contract and material list
- Manufacturer shingle warranty certificate
- Roofer's workmanship warranty (5–10 years is standard)
- Final paid invoice — required if you ever sell the home
- City permit and final inspection card