Valley storms don't make national news, but a February wind event can strip a row of shingles as effectively as anything, and tule-fog season makes sure the opening gets found. If a storm just got your roof, here's the claim process in plain English, including the part most contractors won't say: sometimes you shouldn't file at all.
First 48 hours: stop the bleeding, start the record
- Document before touching anything. Phone photos of fallen shingles in the yard, interior stains, and the date. Your claim is built on evidence with timestamps.
- Prevent further damage. Policies require reasonable steps to protect the home. That's what emergency tarping is, and insurers generally reimburse it. Keep the receipt.
- Get a professional inspection. A roofer's photo report documents damage you can't see from the ground, wind-creased shingles, lifted flashing, opened seams, in the format an adjuster needs.
What insurers actually pay for
Storm claims cover sudden damage from a specific event: wind-torn shingles, impact damage, water intrusion from the opening. They don't cover wear and age, and Valley adjusters can tell a 22-year-old roof's granule loss from fresh wind damage. An honest inspection report separates the two before the adjuster ever climbs a ladder, which is exactly what you want.
If the repair estimate doesn't clearly exceed your deductible, filing usually isn't worth it. A claim sits on your record either way. We'll tell you which side of that line your damage lands on, for free, before you call your insurer.
How we fit into your claim
We're roofers, not public adjusters, and we stay in our lane: a documented inspection with photos, a straight answer on whether the damage justifies a claim, an itemized repair or replacement quote your insurer can work from, and the actual fix once you decide. No claim-chasing, no door-knocking after storms, no inflated scope. Just the paperwork your claim needs and a roof that's watertight again.
Storm damage is stressful enough without wondering whether your roofer's advice serves you or their sales number. Start with the free inspection; the photos are yours either way.
