Storm Damaged Your Roof? Do These 5 Things Before You Call Your Insurance Company
A bad storm rolls through Montgomery County, and suddenly you’re looking at missing shingles, a leak, or dented gutters. Before you panic or pick up the phone, here’s the order that actually protects you — homeowners who skip these steps often end up with lower payouts or denied claims.
1. Document Everything Before Any Cleanup
Take photos and video of all visible damage — roof, siding, gutters, and any interior water damage — before anything gets moved, tarped, or repaired. Insurance adjusters weigh photographic evidence heavily, and “before” photos are the single most useful thing you can have on hand.
2. Get a Professional Inspection First
Not all storm damage is visible from the ground. Hail bruising, lifted shingle edges, and granule loss often require someone on the roof to properly assess. A professional inspection also gives you a written record of the damage from a third party — which carries more weight with insurers than your own assessment.
3. Avoid “Storm Chaser” Contractors
After major storms, out-of-town contractors often go door-to-door pushing same-day contracts and upfront payment. Legitimate local contractors will give you a written estimate, a real business address, and references you can actually verify. If someone’s pressuring you to sign before an adjuster even sees the damage, that’s a red flag.
4. Understand What Your Policy Actually Covers
Most homeowner policies cover storm and wind damage, but the payout structure varies — some use Replacement Cost Value (RCV), others Actual Cash Value (ACV), which factors in depreciation. Knowing which one you have changes what you should expect from a claim before you’re negotiating one.
5. Get a Detailed Written Estimate Before the Adjuster Visits
Having a contractor’s estimate in hand when the adjuster arrives gives you a second, independent number to compare against the insurance company’s assessment. Adjusters work for the insurance company — your contractor works for you.
We’ve Walked Homeowners Through This Before
JCF Construction has helped Collegeville and Norristown homeowners navigate storm damage and insurance claims with honest assessments — not upsells. If a storm just came through your neighborhood, get your roof looked at before you file anything.
