Short answer
Start with safety. Take photos from the ground. Move items away from active leaks. Keep receipts for any short-term work. Tell your insurer about the loss soon, then book a roof check. Do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof. Wait to approve lasting repairs until the damage is on record and your insurer explains the claim steps.
1. Check for immediate hazards
Stay away from fallen power lines and damaged trees. Avoid standing water near wires or power tools. Do not enter a part of the home that may be unsafe. If a ceiling sags or water is near wires, clear the room. Call emergency services or the power company when needed.
A storm-damaged roof can be slick or weak. It may look safe from the yard. Check it only from the ground. Leave roof access to a trained worker with fall protection.
2. Photograph what you can see
Take wide photos of each side of the house. Then take close photos of what you can see. This may include missing shingles, tree contact, bent gutters, loose flashing, broken windows, or stains indoors. Save the first files. Note the storm date and time.
Photos show what was there after the storm. They do not prove that each mark came from the storm. They also do not prove that the policy covers it. Keep that line clear when you speak with a roofer or insurer.
Inspection photo3. Limit additional water damage
Move your things away from active drips. Use pans or buckets to catch water. If the home needs a short-term cover, ask what can be done safely. The Georgia insurance office tells owners to prevent more damage and keep receipts. It also warns against lasting repairs before the insurer checks or approves them.
Keep damaged parts until the insurer says they are not needed. If urgent work cannot wait, take photos before and after it.
4. Notify your insurer and review your policy
Report the loss soon through the phone number, site, or app in your policy. Ask for a claim number and contact name. Ask how the inspection works and which dates apply to you. Plans vary in what they cover and how they pay. A neighbor’s claim is not a guide to yours.
Write down each call. Keep bids, photos, receipts, emails, and claim papers in one place. Ask the insurer to explain any new term in writing.
5. Arrange a documented roof inspection
A roof check can record the roof, vents, flashing, gutters, and parts of the attic. Many of these areas cannot be seen from the yard. The roofer should state what was seen and what it may mean. You should get photos to keep.
A roofer can explain repair choices and write a work scope. The insurer reads the policy and decides what it covers. A roofer does not. Be wary of anyone who promises a claim result. Do not sign before you know the scope and price.
6. Compare the insurer scope with the contractor scope
Compare the insurer’s list with the roofer’s report. Check the roof areas and amounts. If an item seems to be missing, ask how to send photos or a new scope. A gap between two bids is a question to solve. It does not prove that either side did something wrong.
Before work starts, confirm the materials and tear-off plan. Check the deck allowance, vents, flashing, cleanup, warranty, and payment plan. The contract should also explain later scope changes.
- Keep your policy, claim number, photos, estimates, and receipts in one folder.
- Do not rely on verbal promises about coverage or price.
- Do not pay the full project amount before the agreed work is complete.
- Ask for the contractor’s insurance information and a written contract.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to report roof storm damage in Georgia?
Use the notice rule and due date in your own policy. Report the loss soon. Policy terms vary, so do not assume one deadline fits every claim.
Should I call a roofer or my insurance company first?
Safety and short-term protection come first. Tell your insurer soon and book a roof check. You can do both at the same time. A roofer records roof conditions and repair choices. The insurer decides what the policy covers.
Can I tarp a leaking roof before the adjuster arrives?
A safe, short-term cover may help prevent more damage. Take photos and keep receipts. Ask the insurer what it needs. Avoid lasting repairs before the damage is checked or approved.
Sources and review notes
Reviewed by Denali Roofing inspection team for roof-condition and storm-documentation review. Product, policy, and program terms can change; verify current documents before making a decision.