Storm damage
Central Texas storms are getting stronger. Here’s how to respond calmly and correctly.
What real hail damage looks like, when to file a claim, and how insurance actually decides.
Four kinds of storm damage
Hail damage
Bruising in the shingle mat, granule loss exposing asphalt, and dents on soft metals (gutters, vents, AC fins).
Wind damage
Lifted or torn shingles, missing ridge caps, and displaced flashings. Central Texas straight-line winds regularly exceed 60 mph.
Tree damage
Impact from limbs, punctures in decking, and rubbed granule loss on branches touching the roof.
Wind-driven rain
Water pushed sideways under shingles at edges and around penetrations — often no visible external damage.
Insurance timeline
What to do — and when
- First 24 hoursDocument everything with dated photos. Cover active leaks with a tarp. Do not sign any contractor’s paperwork yet.
- First weekCall an independent, licensed roofer for an inspection. Get a written damage report before calling insurance.
- First 30 daysFile your claim if damage is functional (not cosmetic). Most Texas policies require notice within a reasonable time.
- 1 year deadlineUnder Texas law, most homeowners have one year from the date of loss to file. Don’t wait — evidence disappears fast.
The hail science, quickly
Insurance adjusters look for round bruises the size of a nickel or larger, where granules are knocked off and the asphalt mat is soft or fractured. In Central Texas, we typically see damage begin around 1" hail and become severe at 1.75" and above.
The reason Class 4 impact-resistant shingles matter isn’t marketing — it’s that they absorb the same energy without fracturing the mat, meaning your roof survives storms that would otherwise total it.
Storm & insurance FAQs
Just had a storm?
We’ll inspect, document, and give you a straight answer on whether a claim makes sense.