Storm Damage Insurance Claim Guide

The claim process, step by step

• Ensure safety first. Don't attempt repairs or cleanup that puts you at risk — downed power lines, structural instability, or storm-damaged trees are hazards to leave to professionals.
• Document everything before touching anything. Photos and video of all visible damage, from multiple angles, before any cleanup or repair begins.
• Make emergency repairs only to prevent further damage (like a tarp over a damaged roof section), and keep receipts — many policies reimburse reasonable emergency mitigation costs.
• Review your policy for what's actually covered. Standard homeowners policies typically cover wind and hail damage; flood damage is generally excluded and requires separate flood insurance (often through the NFIP) — a critical, commonly misunderstood distinction.
• File the claim promptly, noting the specific storm event and date.
• Get an independent contractor assessment alongside or before the adjuster's visit, so you have your own documentation of the damage's full scope.
• Review the adjuster's scope of work carefully before accepting a settlement — ask about anything that seems undercounted or missing compared to your own contractor's assessment.

Pro tip from our network contractors

Know the difference between an ACV (actual cash value) and RCV (replacement cost value) policy before you're in a claim situation, not during one — ACV policies factor in depreciation, meaning your payout for an older roof or siding may be significantly less than replacement cost, while RCV policies pay the full replacement cost (sometimes with an initial ACV payment, then the remainder after repairs are completed). Check which type your policy is well before you ever need it.

A note on public adjusters and attorneys

After a major storm, you'll likely be approached by public adjusters or attorneys offering to handle your claim for a percentage of the payout. This can be a legitimate option for a complex or disputed claim, but it's worth understanding upfront that it comes with a real cost (typically a percentage of your settlement) and isn't necessary for most straightforward claims. Get your own independent contractor's damage assessment regardless of which path you choose — it's useful information either way and doesn't carry the same cost structure.

Vertical-specific claim guides

For roof-specific hail damage claims, see our dedicated roof hail-damage insurance claim guide, and for siding-specific storm claims, see filing a siding insurance claim after storm damage. This guide covers the general whole-home claim process that applies across any storm-damaged component.