What to Do After a Hail Storm in Texas | First Call Public Adjusters 📞 (817) 618-9884

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What to Do After a Hail Storm in Texas

A practical, step-by-step checklist for Texas homeowners after hail or severe storm damage — what to document, what to avoid, and how to protect your insurance claim from day one.

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1,262+ Claims Handled · 6+ Years Experience · TX License #1921679 · No Recovery, No Fee

Step 1 — Immediately After the Storm

First 24 Hours

Do This First

Check on family members and pets — safety comes first, always.

Photograph and video any visible exterior damage — roof (from the ground is fine), siding, windows, fencing, vehicles, and landscaping.

Check your attic for any signs of new light penetration, water stains, or daylight that wasn't there before — a sign of roof penetration.

Take temporary measures to prevent further damage (tarping an active leak, for example) — but keep receipts, as reasonable mitigation costs are often reimbursable.

Note the date, approximate time, and hail size if you can safely observe it (compare to a coin or ball for reference in photos).

Step 2 — Before You Sign Anything

Watch Out For This

Storm-chasing contractors: After major Texas hail events, out-of-state contractors often canvass affected neighborhoods door-to-door. Some are legitimate; many are not licensed in Texas, disappear after collecting a deposit, or push you to sign an "assignment of benefits" that hands your entire claim over to them — removing your control of the process. Never sign anything immediately on your doorstep. Take time to verify any contractor's Texas license and local reputation first.

Before Signing Any Contract

Verify the contractor is licensed and insured in Texas, with a local address and verifiable references.

Never sign an "assignment of benefits" (AOB) without understanding exactly what rights you're giving up.

Get a free public adjuster inspection before committing to any contractor — knowing your full damage scope first protects your negotiating position.

Be especially cautious of any contractor who guarantees your insurance company will "approve everything" — no one can promise that.

Step 3 — Filing Your Claim

Filing the Claim Correctly

Claim Filing Checklist

Review your policy's reporting deadline — most Texas policies require "prompt" notice, generally within a reasonable time of the loss.

File your claim with your insurance company, providing the date and basic description of the storm event.

Request a copy of your full policy if you don't already have one — you'll want to review every coverage section.

Get a professional inspection from a licensed public adjuster before — or immediately after — the insurance company's adjuster visits.

Do not sign any release or accept a settlement check without reviewing it carefully first — signing a release often waives your right to dispute the amount later.

Texas insurers have response deadlines too: Under Texas Insurance Code, your insurer generally must acknowledge your claim within 15 days and accept or deny within 15 business days of receiving all required information (with some exceptions). If your insurer is taking far longer than this, that delay itself may be worth raising with a public adjuster.

Step 4 — Maximizing Your Claim

Don't Leave Money on the Table

Commonly Missed Items

Gutters, downspouts, and fascia — frequently damaged alongside the roof but sometimes left off initial estimates.

AC condenser units and fins — hail commonly dents and damages outdoor HVAC equipment.

Window and door screens — easily overlooked but covered storm damage.

Fencing, sheds, and detached structures — covered under "other structures" in most policies.

Code upgrade coverage — if your repair must meet current building codes, this is often a separate covered cost.

Additional Living Expense (ALE) — if your home becomes temporarily uninhabitable, this covers your interim housing costs.

FAQ

Common Questions After a Storm

Should I get a public adjuster before or after filing my claim?

Either works, but earlier is generally better. A public adjuster can help ensure your initial claim filing and documentation are complete from the start, which often produces a smoother and faster path to a fair settlement than fixing an incomplete claim later.

How do I know if my roof actually has hail damage if I can't see anything from the ground?

Most functional hail damage isn't visible from the ground — it requires a roof-level inspection by someone trained to identify impact signatures, bruising, and granule displacement. This is exactly what a Haag-certified inspection identifies that a visual ground-level look will miss.

Is it free to get a public adjuster inspection?

Yes, with First Call Public Adjusters — there's no cost for the initial inspection and claim review, and no obligation to hire us afterward.

Free Storm Damage Inspection

Don't navigate a storm claim alone. Get a free, no-obligation inspection from a Haag-certified, licensed Texas public adjuster.

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Ryan Lancon · TX License #1921679 · Licensed Public Adjuster & Insurance Appraiser · Serving all of Texas