Storm Damage Insurance Claim Checklist (Use This Before You Call Your Insurer)

Before you call your insurance company after a storm, stop. The first conversation you have with your adjuster sets the tone for your entire claim — and if you haven’t documented the damage thoroughly, you may leave money on the table or face a disputed settlement. This checklist walks you through exactly what to gather, photograph, and write down before you dial. Most homeowners in the DFW area skip two or three of these steps and regret it.

Step 1 — Make It Safe First, Then Start Documenting

Don’t walk into a damaged structure until you’ve done a quick safety check. After a severe storm in North Texas — whether it’s a hail event, a tornado-adjacent wind event, or a flash flood — the hazards you can’t see are often worse than the ones you can.

• Check for gas odors. If you smell anything sulfur-like near your meter or appliances, leave immediately and call Atmos Energy before re-entering.
• Look up before you step in. Sagging ceilings hold water weight. A ceiling that looks intact can drop without warning.
• Check the electrical panel. If water reached your breaker box or any outlets, don’t restore power yourself.
• Watch for standing water. Even two inches of floodwater can hide broken glass, nails, or compromised flooring.

Once you’ve confirmed it’s safe to enter, your phone becomes your most important tool.

Step 2 — Document Everything Before You Touch Anything

This is the step most homeowners rush past, and it’s the one that matters most when an adjuster reviews your claim.

Photograph in this order:

1. Wide exterior shots of the whole structure — all four sides if possible.
2. Close-ups of every visible impact point: missing shingles, dented gutters, cracked fascia, broken windows, damaged siding.
3. Interior rooms affected — shoot from the doorway first (establishes context), then move in for close-ups of water stains, damaged drywall, buckled flooring, or ceiling damage.
4. Any personal property damaged — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing.
5. Your HVAC unit, if it’s exterior-mounted. Hail damage to condenser fins is common in DFW storms and frequently overlooked.

Write down or voice-memo the following while you’re still on-site:

• The date and approximate time the storm hit.
• Which direction the wind was coming from, if you observed it.
• Whether there was hail, and roughly what size (golf ball, quarter, marble — insurers use these comparisons).
• Any prior damage that existed before the storm, so you can clearly separate it from new damage.

If you have a home inventory document or photos from before the storm, pull those up now. They’re gold for separating pre-existing conditions from storm-caused loss.

Step 3 — Gather Your Policy Documents Before You Call

When you call your insurer, they will ask you for your policy number immediately. Have these items ready:

1. Your declarations page — this shows your dwelling coverage limit (Coverage A), personal property limit (Coverage C), and your deductible amount.
2. Your deductible type — Texas homeowners policies often carry a percentage-based wind/hail deductible (commonly 1–2% of your dwelling value) rather than a flat dollar deductible. Know which applies to you before you call, because it affects whether filing even makes financial sense.
3. Your loss of use coverage (Coverage D) — if the damage forces you out of the home, this covers hotel and meal costs up to a limit.
4. Any prior claims in the last 3–5 years — adjusters will ask, and consistency matters.

If you can’t find your declarations page, log into your insurer’s online portal or call your agent’s direct line (not the claims line) to get a copy emailed before you file.

Step 4 — Make Emergency Repairs to Prevent Further Damage — But Document First

Your policy almost certainly requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage after a loss. That means if a section of your roof is open to the sky, you need to tarp it. If a window is broken, board it.

What to do:

• Take photos before any tarping, boarding, or debris removal.
• Keep every receipt for emergency materials — tarps, plywood, tape, temporary fencing.
• If you hire anyone to do emergency work, get a written receipt with their name, contact info, and a description of the work.

What not to do:

• Don’t make permanent repairs before the adjuster has inspected. Replacing a roof section before the adjuster sees it can complicate or void that portion of your claim.
• Don’t throw away damaged materials. Stack debris in one area of the yard. Adjusters want to see it.
• Don’t sign any repair authorization with a contractor that includes an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) clause — this transfers your claim rights to the contractor and removes you from the process.

Step 5 — File the Claim and Know What Happens Next

Once you’ve documented everything and pulled your policy, call your insurer’s claims line. Here’s what to expect:

1. You’ll get a claim number. Write it down immediately. Every future call should reference it.
2. An adjuster will be assigned. In the wake of a large North Texas storm system, adjusters are often backlogged. Don’t be surprised if the inspection is scheduled 5–10 days out.
3. The adjuster will inspect and produce a scope of loss. This is their estimate of the damage. You are allowed to dispute it.
4. You’ll receive an Actual Cash Value (ACV) payment first if your policy has a recoverable depreciation clause. The remaining Replacement Cost Value (RCV) is released after repairs are completed and you submit documentation.
5. You can hire a public adjuster or an attorney if you believe the settlement is unfair. This is your right under Texas law.

If the damage is significant — roof replacement, interior water intrusion, structural issues — a professional restoration contractor can provide an independent damage assessment that you can submit alongside the insurer’s scope. That documentation often closes the gap between what the adjuster offers and what the actual repair costs.

If you’ve worked through this checklist and the damage is more than cosmetic — if there’s water inside the structure, compromised roofing, or anything that looks like it’s getting worse — it’s worth getting eyes on it from a restoration professional before you accept a settlement. MCC Restoration and Contracting Services works with homeowners in Duncanville and across the DFW area on storm damage restoration and can help you understand the full scope of what needs to be repaired. Call (682) 772-9123 to schedule an assessment.