Before the storm, organize the information you already have
Keep roof installation records, prior repairs, photographs and insurance contact information in one accessible place. If the roof has recurring leaks, identify their locations before a new event complicates the history.
Use National Weather Service alerts and follow shelter guidance when severe weather threatens. Inspection and documentation can wait until conditions are safe; no roof photograph is worth exposure to hail, lightning or unstable materials.
After the storm, record safe observations
Note the approximate event time and observations such as fallen roofing pieces, damaged gutters or a new interior leak. Photograph from the ground or an accessible indoor location. Avoid climbing onto the roof or handling damaged electrical equipment.
Keep a list of interior locations where water appeared, and describe whether it occurred during the storm or later. Report active water entry promptly so temporary protection can be considered.
Ask for a roof-specific assessment
GAF’s hail guidance notes that shingle damage may not be immediately obvious. Have a qualified professional evaluate the covering and affected details rather than relying only on a neighborhood hail report or an isolated close-up.
Request a report that distinguishes observations, likely causes and recommended work. If the roof includes more than one material, ask how each was evaluated. Keep copies of the report even if no repair is recommended.
Make repair and insurance decisions from the record
Ask for the construction scope and any remaining uncertainty in writing. Contact the insurer directly about a potential claim, its deadlines and documentation. A roof’s age, a storm date or a sales promise alone should not decide the scope of permanent work.
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Construction planning after hail
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