When a hail or wind storm hits your Middle Tennessee roof, what you do in the first few days largely determines whether insurance covers the repair — or whether you end up paying out of pocket. Here’s the step-by-step.
Step 1: Get a professional inspection fast (within ~72 hours)
Don’t wait for a leak to show up on your ceiling. Get a licensed contractor on the roof within about 72 hours of the storm. Early inspection documents the damage before wind, rain, and time make it worse or ambiguous — which is exactly what insurers look for. A good contractor photographs everything and gives you an honest read on whether the damage is claim-worthy.
Step 2: Document everything
Build your own record alongside the contractor’s:
- Date and details of the storm (news reports of hail/wind in your area help).
- Photos of damaged shingles, dented metal, torn flashing, downed limbs, and any interior water spots.
- Receipts for any emergency work (tarping, water mitigation) — these are often reimbursable.
The more you document, the smoother the claim.
Step 3: Review your policy before you call
Know what you’re working with:
- Deductible — what you’ll pay before coverage kicks in.
- Replacement cost vs. actual cash value — replacement cost pays to replace; ACV subtracts depreciation and pays less.
- Roof age clauses — some policies reduce coverage on older roofs.
When damage is covered, you typically pay your deductible rather than the full cost of the roof — which is why filing correctly matters so much.
Step 4: File the claim and meet the adjuster
Call your insurer, file, and they’ll send an adjuster to inspect. Have your contractor there for that inspection when possible. Adjusters move fast and can miss damage; a contractor who knows what storm damage looks like makes sure everything legitimate is captured. This is the single biggest factor in a fair settlement.
Step 5: Get the work done right
Once the claim is approved, use a local, licensed contractor — not the crew that knocked on your door the day after the storm. Insist on:
- A written scope matching the approved claim.
- A proper tear-off and inspection of the decking, not an overlay.
- A real workmanship warranty.
The storm-chaser warning
After every major Tennessee storm, out-of-area crews swarm neighborhoods offering fast roof work and pressuring homeowners to sign and pay a deposit immediately. Some collect and disappear; others do quick, poor work that fails within a couple of winters — long after they’ve left the state.
Your protection is simple: work with a contractor you can find again. A local, licensed company whose reputation lives in your county has every reason to document your claim honestly and stand behind the repair.
Storm hit your roof? We inspect fast, document thoroughly for your claim, and repair it right. See our metal roofing service, learn when to repair vs. replace, or request a free inspection.