The Guide
In This Guide
Delaware gets hit. Nor'easters, summer thunderstorms, hail events, and the occasional tropical remnant, our state sees the full spectrum of severe weather. And every time a major storm rolls through, homeowners are left wondering the same thing: did my roof take a hit, and what do I do now?
This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, so you protect your home, your finances, and your insurance claim from the moment the storm passes.
Stay Safe First
Before you do anything else, make sure it's safe. Don't go on your roof immediately after a storm, wet surfaces, downed power lines, and unstable debris create real hazards.
Do a visual inspection from the ground and from inside your attic if accessible. Note anything obvious: missing shingles, visible holes, water stains on ceilings, or dented gutters.
Related service: Storm Damage Roof Repair in Middletown, DE
Document Everything Immediately
Time-stamped photos and videos are your strongest evidence in an insurance claim. Start documenting as soon as it's safe to do so:
- Photograph your entire roof from multiple ground angles
- Document dented gutters, damaged siding, broken windows
- Take photos inside your attic if you see daylight or moisture
- Note the date and any weather reports from that day
- Keep records of any emergency tarping or temporary repairs
The more documentation you have, the stronger your claim. Insurance companies love to see evidence gathered immediately after the event, it proves the damage is storm-related and not pre-existing.
Document before any cleanup. Once you remove debris or make repairs, you lose evidence. Take photos first, then address immediate safety issues.
Call a Trusted Roofing Contractor, Before Your Insurance Company
This is the step most homeowners get backwards. The instinct is to call insurance first, but we recommend calling a professional roofer first to get an honest, independent assessment of what's actually damaged.
Here's why that matters: your insurance adjuster works for the insurance company. Their job is to accurately, but efficiently, assess claims. Having a contractor who knows what legitimate storm damage looks like, who can identify issues the adjuster might miss, and who can document everything properly is a major advantage when it comes to getting a fair settlement.
At Home Fortress Roofing & Construction, we come out, inspect your roof thoroughly, and give you an honest report of what we find. If it's legitimate storm damage, we help you file and we meet the adjuster on-site. If it's wear and tear rather than storm damage, we'll tell you that too, because filing a claim for non-covered damage wastes time and can hurt your policy.
File Your Claim Promptly
Insurance policies set time limits on filing storm damage claims, and some are strict. Check your policy and don't wait.
Once you've had a contractor assess the damage, file your claim promptly. Have the following ready:
- Your insurance policy number
- Date of the storm event
- Photos and documentation you've gathered
- Your contractor's assessment and contact info
Don't Sign Anything, Yet
After a major storm, you'll often see contractors going door to door offering quick inspections and asking you to sign an Assignment of Benefits or similar documents. Be cautious.
Some of these are legitimate, many are not. Never sign over your insurance benefits to any contractor before you fully understand what you're agreeing to and before you've confirmed they're registered, can show proof of insurance, and are reputable.
A trustworthy contractor will never pressure you to sign immediately. They'll inspect the damage, give you a written report, answer your questions, and let you make an informed decision.
Storm Chaser Warning: After major Delaware storms, out-of-state contractors flood the area offering quick fixes and big promises. Many are unregistered, carry no insurance, and are gone before you realize the work was substandard. Always look a contractor up on the Delaware Department of Labor contractor registry and ask for proof of insurance before any work begins.
What Typical Storm Damage Looks Like
Not all storm damage is obvious. Here's what a professional inspection looks for:
- Hail damage: Random circular bruising or dents on shingles, dented gutters and downspouts, damaged window screens and AC units
- Wind damage: Lifted, creased, or missing shingles, particularly on ridge lines and edges where wind gets underneath
- Impact damage: Holes or cracks from fallen branches or debris
- Granule loss: Concentrated granule loss in impact patterns (as opposed to uniform age-related loss)
- Flashing damage: Bent or separated flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights
After the Storm
Storms are stressful. The aftermath shouldn't be. Having a trusted local contractor, someone who knows Delaware homes, knows how to document storm damage, and knows how to work with insurance companies, makes the entire process significantly easier and often results in a better outcome for you as the homeowner.
If your home was recently hit by a storm, call Home Fortress. We'll come out, assess the damage honestly, and walk you through your options, at no cost to you.