Hail Hit Your Roof? What to Do in the First 48 Hours

After a big storm, two things show up in your neighborhood: damage and door knockers. Here’s how to handle both.

Hour 1: Look, don’t climb

From the ground, look for missing shingles, dented gutters and downspouts, and shingle granules piling up at the bottom of the downspouts. Check window screens and AC fins — hail that dents those hit your roof too. Stay off the ladder; that’s what the inspection is for.

Day 1: Document everything

Photos of everything, with dates. If water is coming in, get it tarped — your policy covers emergency tarping, and your insurer expects you to prevent further damage.

Day 2: Call your insurance company, then a local roofer

Open the claim first, then get a local, certified roofer to meet the adjuster on your roof. Adjusters miss things; a good roofer walks the roof with them and makes sure the claim covers everything the storm actually did.

About those door knockers

Storm chasers follow hail maps across three states. Some are fine. Many take your deductible, slap on the cheapest shingle, and are two states away when it leaks. Simple filter: ask where their office was last year — and ask to see this year’s local permits.

We’ve walked hundreds of storm claims with Omaha-area homeowners. If your neighborhood got hit, the inspection and the photo report are free.