If a storm has hit your property, here’s how to make sure you walk away with every dollar you’re entitled to.
## Texas Storm Season: What to Expect
**Spring (March-June):** Peak hail season across North Texas. DFW, Collin County, Denton County, and Tarrant County all see frequent severe weather events.
**Fall (September-November):** Secondary storm season with additional hail risk as temperatures drop.
**What makes Texas hail different:** The jet stream over Texas produces fast-moving, severe storms capable of generating baseball-sized hail. These events are not just a nuisance — they cause billions of dollars in property damage annually.
## Before the Storm: Be Prepared
**Know your policy:**
– Is your policy **RCV (Replacement Cost Value)** or **ACV (Actual Cash Value)**?
– What is your wind and hail deductible? (Typically 1-2% of your home’s insured value)
– Are there any exclusions that apply?
**Document your property’s pre-storm condition:**
– Take a video walkthrough of your home every year before storm season
– Photograph your roof, gutters, AC unit, and fencing
– Keep records of any previous repairs or replacements
This baseline documentation is extremely valuable if you need to prove damage occurred during a specific storm.
## During and Immediately After a Storm
**Stay safe first** — don’t go outside during active severe weather.
**Once it’s safe:**
1. Walk your property and look for obvious damage
2. Take photos and videos immediately — before any cleanup
3. Make note of the date and time
4. Check the storm on weather apps or Storm Check Pro to confirm hail size at your address
**Make emergency repairs if needed** — temporary fixes like tarping a damaged roof are covered by most policies. Keep all receipts.
## Documenting Your Damage: The Complete Checklist
Thorough documentation is the single most important factor in maximizing your claim. Here’s what to capture:
### Exterior
– [ ] All four elevations of your home
– [ ] Close-ups of gutters and downspouts (look for bowl-shaped dents)
– [ ] Window screens (small tears and dents)
– [ ] AC condenser unit (bent fins, spatter marks on housing)
– [ ] Fencing (spotted staining, gouges in wood)
– [ ] Garage door (dents in panels)
– [ ] Roof vents and turbines (dents, spatter marks)
– [ ] Siding (dents in aluminum or vinyl)
– [ ] Mailbox and utility boxes near the street (great hail size indicators)
### Roof (from ground or with drone)
– [ ] Missing or displaced shingles
– [ ] Dark spots on shingles (exposed asphalt mat from granule loss)
– [ ] Granules in gutters and downspouts
### Interior
– [ ] Ceiling stains or water marks
– [ ] Attic moisture or water intrusion
– [ ] Any interior damage caused by water entry
## Filing Your Claim: Do It Right
**Call your insurance company promptly** — most policies require timely notification of damage.
When you call:
– Provide the date of loss (the storm date, not the day you noticed damage)
– Describe what was damaged
– Request a claim number
– Ask about your timeline for the adjuster visit
**Don’t sign anything** from a contractor that includes an “Assignment of Benefits” — this can complicate your claim.
## The Adjuster Visit: What to Know
The insurance company’s adjuster will schedule an inspection. Here’s how to prepare:
– **Be present** — never let the adjuster inspect alone
– **Have your documentation ready** — photos, videos, contractor estimates
– **Walk them through every damage item** — don’t assume they’ll find everything
– **Ask questions** — what are they noting? What is and isn’t being included?
Having a public adjuster present at this appointment is one of the highest-value things you can do. We know what adjusters look for — and what they often miss.
## After the Adjuster Visit
Once you receive the insurance company’s estimate:
– **Compare it to independent contractor estimates**
– **Look for missing line items** — common omissions include window screens, fencing, AC unit replacement, and code upgrade items
– **Check the pricing** — Xactimate prices update monthly and vary by zip code
If the estimate seems low, don’t accept it as final. You have options.
## Maximizing Your Settlement
Here’s what separates homeowners who get a fair settlement from those who don’t:
**Documentation** — The more thorough your documentation, the harder it is for the insurance company to dispute your claim.
**Professional representation** — Public adjusters consistently achieve higher settlements because they know the policy language, the damage assessment methodology, and the negotiation process.
**Not accepting the first offer** — Insurance companies expect negotiation. The first offer is rarely the final offer.
**Understanding your RCV policy** — If you have RCV coverage, you’re entitled to full replacement cost — not just the depreciated value. Make sure you receive both the initial ACV payment AND the depreciation recovery check after repairs are complete.
## When to Call First Call Public Adjusters
Call us if:
– A storm has hit your property and you want professional documentation from the start
– The insurance company’s estimate seems too low
– Your claim was denied as “cosmetic damage only”
– You’re not sure what you’re entitled to under your policy
We serve all of DFW and North Texas including Southlake, Keller, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Colleyville, Flower Mound, Argyle, Denton, McKinney, and surrounding communities.
**Free claim review. No upfront fees. No obligation.**
**(817) 618-9884**
FirstCallPublicAdjusters@
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*First Call Public Adjusters | Licensed Public Adjuster TX #1921679 | Southlake, TX*