A practical hailstorm checklist: stay safe, document visible damage, arrange a roof inspection and understand the next steps with your insurer.
After hail passes, start with safety and documentation. A storm in your neighborhood does not establish that your roof needs replacement. The next step is to identify the actual condition of your property and the work, if any, that is needed.
Stay on the ground
Wait until conditions are safe. Keep away from downed power lines, unstable trees and damaged structures. Do not climb onto the roof to look for hail marks. If there is an immediate danger, leave the affected area and contact the appropriate emergency service.
Record what you can safely see
Note the storm date and when you first noticed a leak or other change.
Photograph visible damage from a safe location.
Save earlier roof records and photographs if you have them.
Keep receipts for reasonable temporary protection or emergency work.
Arrange an inspection before assuming the scope
Tell the roofer about leaks, earlier repairs and any changes you noticed after the storm. Ask for photographs and an explanation of the findings. The covering, flashing, vents and surrounding details may need different work. A repair may be appropriate in some cases; broader damage may justify a replacement discussion.
Ask your insurer about your policy
If you believe you have an insured loss, contact your insurer about reporting requirements, coverage, deductible and documentation. The insurer determines claim coverage under your policy. A roofing estimate describes proposed construction work; it is not a guarantee that a claim will be approved or paid in full.
Texas law does not allow contractors to waive or absorb a property insurance deductible. A roofer doing the repair work also cannot act as your public insurance adjuster on that claim. Use the Texas Department of Insurance resources below for guidance.
Compare written repair proposals
Look for an identified business, a clear scope, payment terms and an explanation of how additional work will be handled. Avoid making a rushed decision based only on someone’s claim that every roof on the street is damaged. Keep copies of the documents you sign.
Repair or replace? How we assess a roof
Talk to Barnes N’ Roofs about your roof
Official Texas resources
Texas Department of Insurance: after hail or windstorms
Texas Department of Insurance: roofing and insurance law
Use a simple storm-response checklist
| Step | Useful action |
|---|---|
| 1. Stay safe | Make observations from safe ground-level or indoor locations. |
| 2. Record changes | Save dates, photos, leak locations and earlier roof records. |
| 3. Inspect | Request documented findings before assuming replacement is necessary. |
| 4. Define the work | Compare the affected areas and repair or replacement scope. |
| 5. Check coverage | Ask the insurer and warranty provider about their separate terms. |
Impact rating does not settle a damage claim
Class 3 and Class 4 describe laboratory impact classifications. They do not prove that a particular roof is undamaged, guarantee an insurance discount or automatically provide hail coverage. A qualifying HailGuard warranty is a separate, conditional manufacturer option.
Read the HailGuard rating and coverage guide
Source: TAMKO impact-rating limitations
An IKO example: rating versus coverage
Dynasty is IKO’s Class 3 option and Nordic is its Class 4 option. Those classifications do not establish whether your particular roof was damaged. IKO excludes hail damage from its limited warranty. Keep the rating, inspection findings and applicable coverage separate when deciding your next step.
Compare IKO Dynasty and Nordic
IKO impact-rating and warranty limitations
Close inspection photo of shingle surfaces from our project files. Visible marks alone do not establish hail damage or insurance coverage.
Prepared by Barnes N’ Roofs, New Braunfels, Texas. Updated September 17, 2026.
Visual guide additions reviewed September 18, 2026.