Storm Damage and Your Insurance Claim
A plain-English guide for Kentucky and Ohio homeowners, from the first storm photo to the final walkthrough. Free, no sign-up.
Before you call anyone
A hailstorm or a wind storm leaves a lot of people knocking on doors and a lot of homeowners unsure what to do first. This guide walks through it in order: stay safe, write it down, get an honest inspection, and then decide about a claim. It's written for homeowners in Kentucky and Ohio, because the two states' rules are different in ways that matter.
If water is coming in
- Move what you can away from the leak and put down a bucket or towels.
- Take photos and a short video of the water, the ceiling and the date.
- Call or text a roofer for an emergency tarp. Don't climb on a wet roof yourself.
- Tell your insurance company promptly. Most policies expect you to protect the home from further damage.
An emergency tarp from us is billed on its own invoice, separate from any repair or replacement.
Write it down while it's fresh
- The date and rough time of the storm
- Photos from the ground of every side of the house, the gutters, the downspouts and the AC unit
- Anything dented, cracked or torn: siding, window screens, vents, fences, cars
- Shingle pieces or granules in the yard or at the downspouts
- Any new water stains inside, especially on top-floor ceilings and in the attic
Our free 5-Year Storm Report shows the hail and wind reports the National Weather Service logged near your address, which helps you pin down the date.
How a claim actually works
Get an inspection before you file
You don't have to file a claim to find out whether you have damage. A free inspection first tells you whether there's storm damage at all, and roughly how much. Some roofs have wear, not storm damage, and filing on wear can count against you without paying anything.
My inspection is free and takes 45 to 60 minutes. I get on the roof myself and photograph every hit, and you get the photos. If you want a formal written report with photos, a condition rating and repair recommendations (for your records, a real-estate deal or your insurer), that's $150.
You file and you own the claim
If there's real storm damage and you decide to file, you call your insurance company or file online. The claim is yours. You decide whether to file, you talk to your insurer, and you decide what to do with the result.
The adjuster visit
Your insurer sends an adjuster to look at the damage. A typical roof visit takes 30 to 90 minutes. The adjuster usually:
- marks off test squares on each slope and counts hits
- checks soft metals (gutters, vents, downspouts, the AC unit) for dents
- looks at siding, windows and screens on the side the storm came from
- measures the roof and takes photos
You can be there, and you can ask your contractor to be there too. I'm glad to meet the adjuster on the roof so the damage I photographed gets seen. The adjuster writes up the insurer's estimate, and it usually arrives days to a few weeks later.
Reading the insurer's estimate
The estimate can look like a wall of line items. Four numbers matter most:
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Replacement cost value (RCV) | What the insurer figures it costs to repair or replace the damaged items today. |
| Depreciation | An amount taken off for the age and wear of what was damaged. |
| Actual cash value (ACV) | RCV minus depreciation. On many policies this is the first check you receive. |
| Deductible | Your share of the loss, set by your policy. It comes out of what the insurer pays, and you pay it. |
On many replacement-cost policies, the insurer holds back the depreciation and releases it after the work is done and they get proof, such as the final invoice. Some policies pay actual cash value only, and some use a separate wind or hail deductible, often a percentage of your home's coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. Your declarations page says which you have. If you're not sure, ask your agent before you sign anything.
If the estimate missed something
Adjusters miss things, especially on steep roofs or after big storms. If the insurer's scope left out damage I documented, I can give you an updated estimate with photos of what was missed. You decide whether to send it to your insurer. If the claim is denied, you can ask your insurer about a re-inspection, check your policy's appraisal clause, or hire a licensed public adjuster to represent you. I'll tell you honestly whether the damage supports going further.
Your rights when you sign
The two states treat storm contracts differently. Here's what applies in each, as of October 2026.
Red flags after a storm
Most contractors are honest. The ones who aren't tend to show up right after a storm. Walk away from anyone who:
- Offers to waive, cover, rebate or "work with you on" your deductible. In Kentucky it's against the law, and in Ohio it can be insurance fraud.
- Offers you cash, gift cards or other rewards tied to your claim.
- Wants you to sign over your claim or your insurance check to them, or to let them take over your claim.
- Calls themselves an insurance or claims "specialist" who will speak to your insurer for you.
- Wants a large payment before any work is done, or a contract signed on the spot.
- Has no local address, can't show a certificate of insurance, or won't put their warranty in writing.
- Promises how your claim will turn out before your insurer has even looked at it.
From the claim to a finished roof
- Inspection: free, with photos, so you know what you're dealing with.
- You decide and you file, if it's worth it.
- Adjuster visit: I meet the adjuster on the roof if you want me there.
- Read the estimate together: RCV, depreciation, ACV, deductible and what's included.
- Pick your package and get a written, itemized contract with your cancellation rights and payment schedule.
- The work: most roofs are done in a day, with a magnetic nail sweep and full cleanup.
- Final walkthrough with me, then the final payment.
- Paperwork for your insurer, such as the final invoice and completion photos, if your policy releases depreciation after the work.
For impact protection on the new roof, the GAF Timberline UHDZ shingle we install on our Elite package is UL 2218 Class 4 impact-rated. Some insurers offer a discount for Class 4 roofs; ask your agent.
Questions homeowners ask
Do I have to use the contractor my insurance company recommends?
No. You can choose your own contractor. Your insurer pays for the covered damage under your policy, whoever does the work.
How long do I have to file?
It depends on your policy. Many set a deadline for reporting a loss, and some are short. Check your policy or ask your agent, and don't wait: damage is easier to document while it's fresh.
Will filing raise my rates?
It can, depending on your insurer and your claim history. That's a question for your agent. It's one reason an honest inspection before you file is worth it.
Can I keep the insurance money and not fix the roof?
Talk to your insurer and your mortgage company first. If there's a mortgage, the check is often made out to the lender too, and leaving storm damage unrepaired can affect future claims.
What does the free inspection include?
I check the whole roof, the flashing, the vents and pipe boots, the gutters and the siding, take photos of every concern and show or text them to you. It takes 45 to 60 minutes. I reply to every request within 24 hours, usually the same day.
Next step
If you've had hail or high wind, book a free inspection at nobigdealwithjoedeal.com/inspect, or call or text me at (859) 420-7382. I'll tell you straight whether it's storm damage, and whether it's worth a claim.
Joe Deal, No Big Deal Home Solutions
Had hail or high wind?
I'll get on the roof, photograph what I find and tell you straight whether it's storm damage and whether it's worth a claim. The inspection is free.