Assess the Situation Safely
When a severe storm rolls through your area, the last thing you want is to panic — but quick, smart action can save you thousands in further damage. Before you even step outside, make sure the storm has fully passed and conditions are safe. Never climb onto your roof yourself after a storm; leave that to the professionals.
Start by doing a ground-level visual check. Walk around your property and look for obvious signs of damage: missing shingles on the ground, dented gutters, broken tree limbs on the roof, or water stains appearing on your ceilings inside. Take photos of everything you see — this documentation will be critical for your insurance claim later.
Prevent Further Damage
If you notice an active leak, place buckets to catch water and move furniture or valuables away from the affected area. If there’s significant damage, you may need emergency tarping to prevent water from causing additional interior damage. At Best Roofing Pros, we offer same-day emergency tarping services across the Midwest to protect your home while permanent repairs are scheduled.
Do not attempt temporary repairs yourself — improper patches can void your insurance coverage and create bigger problems down the road. Your insurance company expects you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, but they want those steps done by licensed professionals.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your homeowners insurance provider as soon as possible to report the damage and open a claim. Most policies require you to report damage within a specific window — typically 30 to 60 days, though sooner is always better. When you call, have your policy number ready and a general description of the damage you’ve observed.
Ask your adjuster about the timeline for their inspection and what documentation they’ll need. Keep a record of every conversation including the date, time, and name of the representative you spoke with.
Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
Before your insurance adjuster visits, schedule a professional roof inspection with a licensed roofing contractor. A trained inspector will catch damage that’s invisible from the ground — cracked flashing, loosened underlayment, compromised ridge caps, and subtle hail impacts that can lead to leaks months later if left unrepaired.
At Best Roofing Pros, we provide free storm damage inspections across all our Midwest service areas. Our inspectors document every detail with photos and a written report that you can share directly with your insurance adjuster to support your claim.
Work With Your Roofer During the Claims Process
A good roofing contractor will be your advocate throughout the insurance claims process. They’ll meet with your adjuster on-site, walk the roof together, and make sure nothing is missed in the damage assessment. This is one of the most important steps — insurance adjusters handle hundreds of claims and may not catch every issue without a roofing expert pointing it out.
At Best Roofing Pros, we handle the entire claims process from inspection to final repair. We’ve helped thousands of Midwest homeowners get their roofs replaced at little to no out-of-pocket cost through proper insurance claim management. Call us at 877-513-4946 for a free storm damage assessment.
Get Your Roof Repaired or Replaced
Once your claim is approved, it’s time to schedule the repair or replacement. Choose a contractor who uses quality materials, provides manufacturer warranties, and has experience working with insurance companies. Avoid storm chasers who show up at your door making big promises — they often disappear after collecting payment, leaving you without recourse if problems arise.
Best Roofing Pros uses premium materials from trusted manufacturers and backs every job with both workmanship and manufacturer warranties. We’ve completed over 20,000 roofing projects across the Midwest and we’ll be here long after the storm passes.