What to do when a storm may have damaged your roof

Wind, hail, falling limbs, and wind-driven rain can damage a roofing system without creating an obvious indoor leak immediately. The right first steps are to protect people, document what you can see safely, prevent additional damage where practical, and get qualified help before authorizing permanent work.

1. Check for urgent safety problems

Move people and pets away from rooms with sagging ceilings, active water near electrical fixtures, broken glass, or visible structural movement. Contact emergency services or the appropriate utility when there is an immediate hazard. Place a container under an interior drip only when the area is safe to enter.

2. Document the condition from a safe location

Take clear photographs or video of the exterior from the ground and of affected interior areas. Note the date and approximate time of the storm, when you first noticed damage, and any temporary steps taken. Save receipts connected to emergency protection or cleanup.

3. Prevent additional damage—without creating a new hazard

Homeowners policies commonly require reasonable steps to protect property from further damage, but that does not mean taking unsafe action. Use a qualified professional for temporary roof covering or emergency repairs. Keep damaged materials when practical and photograph conditions before work begins.

4. Request a roof inspection

A roofing professional can evaluate shingles or other roof covering, flashing, vents, penetrations, gutters, and visible decking conditions. An inspection can help distinguish a limited repair from broader damage, but it does not determine insurance coverage.

Ask for findings and proposed work in writing. Before hiring, verify the provider using our Maryland roofing contractor checklist.

5. Review your policy before assuming what is covered

Coverage depends on the cause of loss and the terms of your policy. Wind or hail deductibles may differ from the general deductible, and the roof may be settled using replacement-cost or actual-cash-value terms. Contact your insurer or licensed insurance professional for policy and claim questions.

Read the Maryland Insurance Administration roof guide

6. Avoid storm-chaser warning signs

• A promise that the roof will be “free” before the policy is reviewed
• An offer to waive, rebate, or absorb your deductible
• Pressure to sign immediately or transfer insurance benefits
• Refusal to provide an MHIC license number or insurance certificate
• A request for cash or more than one-third down
• Encouragement to exaggerate or create damage

Maryland’s insurance regulator warns consumers to be cautious of “free roof” offers and says deductible waivers or rebates by contractors are illegal under state law.

Review Maryland’s “free roof” warning

Storm-damage checklist

• Keep people away from unsafe areas
• Photograph visible damage from a safe location
• Record the storm date and when damage was discovered
• Use qualified help for temporary roof protection
• Review the policy and contact the insurer directly
• Verify the contractor’s MHIC license and insurance
• Get the inspection findings and repair scope in writing
• Keep contracts, photographs, receipts, and correspondence

Common questions

Should I climb onto my roof after a storm?

No. Check from the ground and arrange a qualified inspection. A roof can be slippery or structurally unsafe even when damage is not obvious.

Does storm damage guarantee insurance will replace the roof?

No. Coverage and settlement depend on the policy, cause and extent of damage, deductible, exclusions, and other facts. A contractor can estimate repairs but should not promise coverage.

Can a Maryland roofer waive my deductible?

Maryland Insurance Administration guidance says contractors and roofers may not offer to waive a deductible or promise a deductible rebate. Keep proof that you paid any required deductible.

This guide provides general safety and consumer information, not legal, insurance, engineering, or claims-adjusting advice. Conditions and policies vary. Contact your insurer for coverage questions and the appropriate authority for emergencies.