After the Storm: What Austin Homeowners Should Do About Hail and Wind Damage

Austin's Storm Reality

Central Texas sits in the southern end of Tornado Alley and along a corridor that produces significant hailstorms every year. Between March and June, cold fronts collide with warm, moist Gulf air and generate severe thunderstorms that can drop damaging hail, produce straight-line winds exceeding 60 mph, and occasionally spawn tornadoes.

Austin averages two to three significant hail events per year. Some years are worse. The spring of 2024 brought multiple rounds of golf ball-sized hail across the metro. Neighborhoods from Pflugerville and Round Rock to Dripping Springs and Buda were affected. Homes in Avery Ranch, Steiner Ranch, and Cedar Park took heavy hits.

When a storm hits your property, the steps you take in the first 24 to 48 hours determine whether you get a fair insurance settlement and a quality repair, or end up with an underpaid claim and shoddy work. Here is what to do.

Step 1: Ensure Safety First

Before you inspect anything, make sure your home is safe to enter and walk around.

• Stay away from downed power lines (call 911 and Austin Energy to report them)
• Do not go on the roof. You can assess a lot from the ground and a ladder at the gutterline.
• If you see structural damage like a partially collapsed wall, a tree through the roof, or significant water intrusion, call your insurance company immediately and do not enter the damaged area
• If gas lines are damaged (you smell gas), leave the house immediately, call 911, and call Texas Gas Service
• Watch for broken glass from windows, skylights, or outdoor light fixtures

Once immediate safety concerns are addressed, the documentation process begins.

Step 2: Document Everything With Photos and Video

What to Photograph

Your insurance claim lives and dies on documentation. Adjusters work from photos, and the more thorough your documentation, the stronger your claim. Grab your phone and capture:

• Wide shots of each side of your home showing overall condition
• Close-ups of every visible damage point: dented gutters, cracked siding, broken shingles, damaged window screens
• Hail stones if they are still on the ground (place a coin or ruler next to them for scale)
• Damaged outdoor property: fencing, patio furniture, outdoor lighting, AC condenser unit, vehicles
• Interior damage: water stains on ceilings, wet carpet, cracked windows, water intrusion paths
• Damaged landscaping and trees that may have hit structures

Video Walkthrough

In addition to photos, do a slow video walkthrough of your property narrating what you see. Walk the exterior, pointing out damage. Then walk the interior, especially rooms directly below the roof and any areas where you see water intrusion. This video becomes valuable evidence if there is a dispute with your insurance company about the extent of damage.

Date and Time Stamp

Make sure your phone's date and time stamp feature is enabled on photos. If your camera does not embed this data visibly, write the date on a piece of paper and include it in your first photo of the documentation set.

Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company Within 24 Hours

Filing the Claim

Most homeowner's insurance policies require prompt notification of damage. Call your insurance company within 24 hours of the storm event. When you call:

• Have your policy number ready
• Describe the damage you have observed in general terms (roof damage from hail, siding damage from wind, window breakage, etc.)
• Ask about your deductible and any coverage specifics for wind and hail
• Request a claim number and the name of the adjuster who will be assigned
• Ask about the timeline for the adjuster's visit

Some policies have separate wind and hail deductibles that differ from your standard deductible. Know what yours is before the adjuster visits.

What to Expect From the Adjuster

The insurance adjuster will visit your property to assess the damage. They may inspect the roof, siding, windows, and any interior damage. Their assessment determines the initial settlement offer.

• Be present during the adjuster's visit if at all possible
• Share your photos and video documentation
• Point out every area of damage you have identified
• If you have already had a contractor assessment (see Step 5), share that report with the adjuster

Step 4: Do Not Sign With Storm Chasers

Who They Are

Within hours of a significant hail event in Austin, trucks with out-of-state plates start rolling through affected neighborhoods. Crews go door to door offering free inspections and pushing homeowners to sign contracts on the spot. These are storm chasers, and they are the single biggest risk to your repair quality and financial outcome.

Red Flags to Watch For

• They knock on your door unsolicited within days of the storm
• They pressure you to sign a contract before your insurance adjuster has visited
• The contract includes an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) clause that transfers your insurance claim rights to the contractor
• They offer to waive your deductible (this is insurance fraud in Texas)
• They cannot provide a local physical address, just a PO box or out-of-state headquarters
• Their truck has a magnetic sign rather than a permanent company logo
• They have no established Google reviews from Austin-area customers

Why They Are Dangerous

Storm chasers make money by inflating insurance claims, doing the cheapest possible work, and moving on to the next disaster zone. If there is a problem with your roof six months later, they are three states away working another hailstorm. You have no warranty, no recourse, and a roof that may fail at the next storm.

We have repaired storm chaser work on homes throughout Austin, and the quality issues are consistent: mismatched shingles, missing starter courses, improper flashing, no drip edge replacement, and nails that miss the rafter tails. These are not minor cosmetic issues. They compromise the structural integrity of your roof.

Step 5: Get a Local Contractor Assessment

Finding a Trustworthy Contractor

After documenting damage and filing your claim, get an independent assessment from a local roofing contractor. A reputable contractor will:

• Inspect the roof, siding, gutters, and any other damaged areas
• Provide a detailed written estimate itemizing all damage and repairs
• Explain the difference between what they found and what the adjuster found (if the adjuster has already visited)
• Not pressure you to sign anything before the insurance process is complete
• Be willing to meet with your adjuster for a re-inspection if their assessment differs significantly

Supplement Claims

Often the insurance adjuster's initial assessment misses damage or underestimates the scope of repair. A good local contractor knows how to file a supplement claim with your insurance company. This is a formal request to revisit the claim amount based on additional documented damage.

Supplement claims are normal and common. They are not adversarial. They simply ensure that the insurance payout reflects the actual repair needs. An experienced roofing contractor in Austin has filed hundreds of supplements and knows exactly what documentation the insurance company needs.

Understanding Cosmetic vs. Functional Damage

What Is the Difference?

After a hailstorm, your roof may have damage that falls into two categories:

• Functional damage: shingle fractures that compromise waterproofing, broken seals that allow wind uplift, cracked flashing, or punctured roof membranes. This damage reduces the roof's ability to protect your home and will lead to leaks if not repaired.
• Cosmetic damage: hail dents on shingles that do not break the seal or fracture the material, minor dings on gutters that do not affect water flow, small dents on siding that do not breach the surface.

Most insurance policies cover functional damage. Coverage for cosmetic damage varies by policy. Some policies have cosmetic damage exclusions, particularly newer policies written after the industry experienced high claims in hail-prone areas.

How This Affects Your Repair

If your roof has functional damage, insurance should cover a full replacement (minus your deductible) if the damage is widespread enough. If the damage is purely cosmetic, your coverage may be limited. A knowledgeable contractor can help you understand the distinction and advocate for appropriate coverage.

Beyond the Roof: Other Storm Damage to Address

Siding and Gutters

Hail damages siding and gutters just as readily as roofing. Vinyl siding cracks. Fiber cement siding chips. Aluminum gutters dent. Wood siding splinters. All of these reduce your home's weather protection and should be included in your insurance claim.

Windows

High winds drive debris into windows, and large hail can crack or break glass. Even if a window did not break, check for damaged screens, cracked frames, and broken seals (you will see fogging between double-pane glass). Window replacement for storm-damaged units is a covered repair under most policies.

Fencing

Wind and fallen trees are the primary causes of fence damage during storms. Document damaged sections with photos and include them in your claim. Fence repairs are frequently covered under homeowner's insurance when caused by a covered weather event.

AC Condenser Unit

Your outdoor AC unit sits exposed to hail. Large hailstones can dent the condenser fins (reducing efficiency), damage the fan blade, or crack the refrigerant lines. Have your HVAC contractor inspect the unit after any significant hail event.

The Timeline From Storm to Repair

• Day 1: Safety check, documentation, insurance call
• Day 2-7: Insurance adjuster schedules and visits
• Day 7-14: Get local contractor assessment, compare with adjuster findings
• Day 14-30: File supplements if needed, negotiate final settlement
• Day 30-60: Schedule and complete repairs with your chosen local contractor

This timeline assumes a moderate claim without major disputes. Complex claims or situations requiring public adjuster involvement can extend the process. The key is not to rush the decision on who does the work just because you want the damage fixed quickly.

If a storm has hit your area and you need an honest assessment of the damage, we are here to help. We serve homeowners throughout Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Leander, Kyle, Buda, and the surrounding communities. Call us for a thorough inspection and a straight answer about what your home needs.