When hail or high wind rolls through Fort Worth, the damage to your roof often can’t be seen from the ground, and out-of-town door-knockers show up within a day. Before you sign anything, get the roof looked at by someone local and get the findings in writing.
How DFW Roofing Pros works: we don’t do roofing work ourselves. Call (817) 646-0070 or send the form with your address and the storm date to request a quote, and we’ll help match you with a local roofer for your area.
Right After the Storm: What to Do First
- Stay safe. Don’t climb onto a wet or damaged roof. Stay clear of downed lines and hanging limbs.
- Limit water damage. Put buckets under drips, move valuables, and cover furniture. Any emergency tarping should be done by a roofer, not from a ladder in the rain.
- Photograph what you can from the ground. Dented gutters, downspouts, AC fins, window screens, fence caps, and cars all help show the storm hit your property. Note the date and time of the storm.
- Get an inspection before you file. A documented inspection tells you whether you likely have a real claim. Filing a claim that gets denied helps nobody.
- Don’t sign anything on the spot. A legitimate contractor’s quote is good for weeks. Be cautious with anyone asking for an assignment of benefits or an open-ended contract before a written scope exists.
Why Hiring Local Matters After a Storm
After every big North Texas hailstorm, out-of-state crews flood Tarrant County neighborhoods. Some do fine work. Others install the cheapest shingles they can find and are gone before the first leak. Workmanship problems aren’t storm damage, so insurance won’t pay to fix them later. Before you sign with anyone, check for a local address you can visit, a working local phone number, proof of insurance, and written warranty terms. Our guide to choosing a DFW roofing contractor has the full checklist. Use it on any roofer, including any roofer you find through this site.
Signs of Hail and Wind Damage
Hail: bruised or cracked shingles, dark spots where granules were knocked loose, granule piles at the bottom of downspouts, dented metal vents and flashing, and split wood shakes. Hail bruises weaken the shingle mat, and the leaks may not show up until months later.
Wind: missing shingles, creased or lifted tabs, exposed nail heads, and peeled-back ridge caps or flashing. Once a tab has been lifted, its seal is broken, and the next storm can finish the job.
Inside the house: fresh ceiling stains, damp attic insulation, or daylight showing through the decking.
What a Good Storm Inspection Includes
Ask for an inspection that covers every slope, the flashing, vents, and ridge, plus collateral damage around the property (gutters, AC units, screens). You should get dated photos and a written condition report. That’s the evidence your insurer will want to see, and it’s yours to keep whether or not you hire that roofer.
The Insurance Claim, Step by Step
This is a short version. The full walkthrough is in our Texas hail damage insurance claim guide.
- You file the claim. Texas policies require prompt notice, and many set a deadline, often one year from the storm date. Check your policy.
- The adjuster’s inspection. Your insurer sends an adjuster to look at the roof. You can share the roofer’s photos and report, and you can ask the roofer to be there to point out what they documented.
- Review the estimate. Insurer estimates sometimes leave out items like drip edge, starter strip, ridge cap, ventilation, or steep-roof charges. If something is missing, ask your insurer how to request a review, and send them the documentation.
- Understand the checks. The first payment is usually actual cash value, which is replacement cost minus depreciation and your deductible. With a replacement-cost policy, the recoverable depreciation is released after the work is complete.
- Your deductible. You always pay it. In Texas it’s typically 1–2% of your dwelling coverage.
Two Texas rules worth knowing: – A contractor who offers to “cover,” waive, or rebate your deductible is breaking Texas law (HB 2102, 2019; Tex. Ins. Code ch. 707). – A roofer may not act as your public adjuster or negotiate your claim on a home they’ll work on (Tex. Ins. Code §4102.163).
A roofer who promises to “handle your claim” or “get it approved” is a red flag.
Repair or Replace After Hail?
Localized wind damage, or a few hail hits on an otherwise healthy roof, can often be repaired. See roof repair in Fort Worth. Widespread bruising across multiple slopes usually means replacement, which is often covered by insurance. See roof replacement in Fort Worth. If you’re replacing anyway, ask about Class 4 impact-rated shingles. They hold up better in the next storm and may qualify for an insurance discount.
Permits: in Fort Worth, shingle-only work on a home doesn’t require a building permit. Replacing storm-damaged decking, sheathing, rafters, or ridge boards does.
Fort Worth Storm & Hail Damage FAQs
How do I know if hail damaged my roof?
Look for dented gutters, downspouts, and AC fins, plus granule piles at the downspouts. Most roof hail damage can’t be seen from the ground, so have a roofer document every slope with photos.
Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?
Get an inspection first. It tells you whether you likely have real, claimable damage. Then file promptly with the photos in hand.
Can a roofer handle my insurance claim for me?
No. In Texas, a contractor can’t act as your adjuster or negotiate your claim on a property they’ll work on. A roofer can document damage and be present at the adjuster’s inspection. You and your insurance company handle the claim.
Can a roofer pay my deductible?
No. Contractors who waive, absorb, or rebate a deductible are violating Texas law (HB 2102, 2019). You’re responsible for your deductible on every claim.
What if the insurance estimate leaves things out?
That’s common. Ask your insurer how to request a review, and send the roofer’s photos and documentation of the missing items. Your policy explains what review options you have.
Does DFW Roofing Pros do the repairs?
No. DFW Roofing Pros doesn’t do roofing work. Request a quote and we’ll help match you with a local roofer for your area. If you hire one, your contract, price, and warranty are with that roofer.
Storm Hit? Request a Roof Quote.
Call (817) 646-0070 or send the form below with your address and the storm date. We’ll help match you with a local roofer for your area. Check any roofer with the tips above before you sign, and go into your claim with evidence, not guesswork.
City pages: Arlington, Benbrook, Burleson, Keller, Southlake and Weatherford.