Should I Call My Insurance Company or a Roofer First After Storm Damage?

After a severe storm damages your roof, you might be left asking yourself, “Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first after storm damage?” It’s a common dilemma for homeowners. On one hand, you want to get your roof and home fixed as soon as possible. On the other, you know that dealing with insurance claims can be complicated, and you don’t want to take a wrong step. In this post, we’ll break down exactly what to do after storm damage, from first calls to final repairs. As a storm restoration professional at 614 Exteriors, I’ve guided many homeowners through this process. Below, I’ll share expert insights on who to call first, how to navigate your insurance claim, and why having a qualified roofer on your side can make all the difference.

Do I call insurance or roofer first?

It’s natural to wonder who should hear the bad news first – your insurance company or a roofing contractor. Traditionally, many people’s first instinct is to call their homeowner’s insurance company to report the damage. In fact, most insurance experts advise contacting your insurer as soon as possible after a storm. Prompt reporting can get your claim in the system early and is often required by your policy. For example, the American Red Cross recommends calling your insurance agent or company immediately to report what happened. By notifying the insurer right away, you start the claim process and fulfill your duty to report the loss promptly.

However, there are also compelling reasons to call a roofer first. A professional roofing contractor experienced in storm damage can inspect your roof, document the damage, and advise you before you even pick up the phone to call the insurance company. Many reputable roofing companies (like ours) offer a free storm damage inspection, which can tell you how bad the damage is and whether it’s likely to warrant an insurance claim. This initial expert assessment can save you from filing a claim on your record if the damage turns out to be minor. Remember, if you file a claim and the damage is below your deductible, the insurance company may not pay a dime – but that claim can still count against you and potentially raise your premiums. In other words, you don’t want to open an insurance claim unnecessarily, because even a zero-payout claim is recorded in your history.

So who should you call first after storm damage? The answer can depend on your situation, but in many cases the best approach is to call a trusted roofer immediately for an inspection, then call your insurance company (with the roofer’s findings in hand). By doing so, you get the benefit of a professional opinion to validate the damage. If the roofer confirms significant storm damage (hail hits, missing shingles, leaks, etc.), you can feel confident contacting your insurer to start the claim. On the flip side, if the roofer finds only minor issues that are cheaper to fix out-of-pocket, you might decide to handle the repairs without filing an insurance claim. This balanced strategy protects you either way – you act quickly but also make an informed decision about filing a claim.

Who to call first after storm damage?

Let’s break it down into practical steps for who to call first after storm damage and why:

Ensure Safety and Mitigate Immediate Damage. Before worrying about phone calls, make sure everyone is safe and your property is secure. If a tree has fallen or there are downed power lines, call emergency services. If your roof has a major hole or active leak, your very first call might be to a roofer (or emergency tarping service) to prevent further interior damage. Most home insurance policies require you to mitigate damage – meaning you should take reasonable steps to stop things from getting worse (like putting a tarp over a hole in the roof). A roofing company can help with these emergency repairs, and insurance typically reimburses the cost of temporary fixes as part of the claim.

Call a Reputable Roofing Contractor for an Inspection. Once any immediate hazards are addressed, contact a local roofing company that specializes in storm damage. A qualified roofer will climb up safely to assess the condition of your roof (so you don’t have to risk injury by going up there yourself). The roofer’s inspection serves two important purposes: it documents all the damage (with photos, measurements, and a professional eye) and it provides an expert opinion on what needs to be repaired or replaced. This information is invaluable. In fact, industry experts often say that having a roofer inspect damage first can guarantee a more thorough and accurate evaluation, since insurance adjusters are not roofing experts and may miss deeper issues beneath the surface. For example, a roofing expert will check for hidden problems like lifted shingles, cracked underlayment, or hail-bruised shingles that might not be obvious at first glance. By contrast, an insurance adjuster rushing through many claims could potentially overlook subtle issues, which might lead to inadequate payouts or bigger problems down the line.

Contact Your Insurance Company to Report the Claim. After the roofer has inspected and confirmed that you indeed have substantial storm damage, call your insurance company to officially report the loss. You don’t need a full estimate in hand, but you should provide the date of the storm and a general description of the damage (e.g. “hail storm on June 10 damaged my roof and caused leaking”). Reporting the claim promptly is crucial – don’t delay once you have the facts. In most cases, insurance policies require prompt notice of any damage. We covered the importance of timely reporting in our article How Much Time Do I Have to Report Storm Damage to My Roof?. In short, notify your insurer as soon as you reasonably can. Many experts would put it this way: “Don’t wait – call your insurance company right after the storm.” The sooner you get in line for an adjuster to visit, the sooner you can get the damage officially evaluated and repairs approved.

Coordinate the Insurance Inspection (Adjuster Visit). Once you’ve filed the claim, your insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to come out and inspect the damage. When scheduling this visit, invite your roofer to be present as well. This is a pro-tip that can dramatically improve your claim outcome.

Should a roofer be present during the claims adjuster visit?

Absolutely – it’s often highly beneficial to have your roofing contractor on site when the adjuster arrives. Why? The roofer can point out all the damage to the adjuster, ensuring nothing is missed or overlooked. As the homeowner, you likely aren’t climbing on the roof with the adjuster – but your roofer will. They act as your advocate, making sure the adjuster sees every shingle dent, cracked flashing, and hidden leak that needs repair.

Having a roofer and adjuster agree on the scope of damage from the start helps prevent disputes. It also means the insurance adjuster is less likely to undervalue or omit necessary repairs, because a knowledgeable professional is there to discuss the findings. Many roofing and insurance experts alike recommend this team approach. In our experience, this leads to a fair, thorough assessment and fewer headaches later.

Get Repair Estimates and Complete the Work

After the adjuster’s visit, the insurance company will send you a claim summary outlining what they will cover. This typically includes the cost of storm damage roof repair or replacement, minus your deductible. Review this summary with your roofer – a good contractor will make sure the insurance estimate is sufficient to restore your roof fully. If anything was missed, your roofer can help submit additional documentation or supplements to the insurance company. Finally, you can proceed to schedule the actual repairs. Whether it’s a localized fix or a full Roof Replacement, be sure to hire a licensed, insured roofing company (your insurer may even give recommendations, but the choice of contractor is ultimately yours). The contractor will perform the work to get your home back to its pre-storm condition, and they should provide any necessary paperwork to the insurance for the final payout. At 614 Exteriors, for instance, our Storm Restoration team handles everything from initial inspection and claim prep to final repairs and cleanup, making the process as smooth as possible for the homeowner. The goal is to return your home to its pre-storm state quickly and with quality workmanship, so you can move on with peace of mind.

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