Back to Blog Storm Damage The San Antonio Homeowner's Guide to Roof Storm Damage After Hail
Mark WhiteSeptember 22, 20258 min read I'll be honest with you: the roof storm damage process is designed by people who've never had hail punch holes in their roof at 10pm on a Tuesday. It's confusing, it's slow, and if you don't know the steps, you can leave thousands of dollars on the table.
After 25+ years and thousands of roofing storm damage restoration in San Antonio, I've seen every scenario. Here's the playbook that actually works.
Step 1: Document Everything (Before You Panic)
As soon as it's safe after a storm, grab your phone and become a documentarian. Walk your property and photograph everything, damaged shingles on the ground, dented gutter installation, cracked siding, water stains inside. Wide shots. Close-ups. Video if you can.
Don't climb on your roof. I cannot stress this enough. Wet, damaged roofs are how people end up in emergency rooms. We'll handle the roof, you handle the ground-level evidence.
Step 2: Call Your Roofer BEFORE Your Insurance Company
This is the step 90% of homeowners get wrong. They call State Farm or Allstate first, which starts the claim clock before they even know what they're dealing with.
A professional roofer can perform a thorough inspection and give you documentation that supports your claim. When your adjuster shows up, having a professional assessment in hand changes the entire dynamic. It's the difference between "I think my roof is damaged" and "Here's the detailed inspection report showing exactly what's damaged and what it costs to fix."
Step 3: The Inspection That Actually Matters
A qualified roofer will inspect your entire roof for hail impacts, cracked shingles, dented flashing, damaged vents, and compromised underlayment. Hail damage is sneaky, most of it is invisible from the ground. That's not an accident; it's just how physics works with asphalt and ice.
At Legacy, our inspections include drone photography, detailed measurements, and a written report. Free. No strings. If there's no damage, we'll tell you. We don't manufacture problems to sell solutions.
Step 4: File Your Claim (Now You're Ready)
Contact your insurance company with your documentation and the roofer's inspection report. They'll assign an adjuster.
Important Texas detail: you generally have one year from the date of the storm to file. Some policies have shorter windows. Don't sit on it. I've seen homeowners miss their deadline by a week because they "meant to call." That's an expensive week.
Schedule a Free Roof Inspection
Not sure about the condition of your roof? We will send a certified inspector to your home at no cost. Same day or next business day availability.
Book Your Free Inspection →Step 5: The Adjuster Visit (Bring Your Roofer)
When the insurance adjuster comes, have your roofing contractor there too. A good roofer can point out damage the adjuster might miss and provide professional context. This isn't adversarial, most adjusters actually appreciate working with experienced contractors because it makes their assessment more accurate.
A note to insurance agents and adjusters reading this: we work with adjusters as partners, not adversaries. Accurate claims benefit everyone. If you're an adjuster or agent looking for a reliable roofer to reference for your clients, reach out, we've been the go-to for several San Antonio agencies.
Step 6: The Texas Deductible Law (This Is Important)
Texas Insurance Code Section 707.002 (HB 2102) makes it a criminal offense for any contractor to pay, absorb, or waive your insurance deductible. If a roofer knocks on your door after a storm and says "Don't worry about the deductible, we'll take care of it", that's not generous, it's illegal. And it usually means they're inflating the claim to cover the discount.
We play it straight. Always have. Your deductible is your responsibility, and any contractor who says otherwise should be shown the door.
The Bottom Line
Storm damage claims aren't fun, but they don't have to be a nightmare either. The key is preparation, documentation, and having a local roofer who knows the process inside and out.
Legacy Home Improvements has guided thousands of San Antonio families through this process since 1999. Call (210) 272-7272 for a free storm damage inspection, we typically respond within 24 hours of a storm. Or check your risk at legacytx.com/storm-damage-check.
Got a roofing question? Something keeping you up at night? (Besides that mysterious dripping sound?) Email me personally at mwhite@legacytx.com. I read and answer every single one.
Have Questions? Call Us Directly
Talk to a real person, not a call center. Mark and the Legacy team answer roofing questions all day, every day.
Call (210) 272-7272 → MW Mark White
Owner, Legacy Home Improvements · San Antonio since 1999
Mark has been in the roofing business for over 25 years. He personally inspects homes, works with insurance adjusters, and answers every email at mwhite@legacytx.com.
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