Immediate Steps After a Hail Storm
The moments right after a hail storm passes are critical. Here is the right sequence — and what not to do.
Stay off the roof. Wet or hail-damaged shingles are slippery, and falls from roofs cause serious injuries every year. You cannot safely or accurately assess hail damage without training, and you do not need to. Keep your feet on the ground.
Do a ground-level survey. Walk around your home and photograph anything that shows hail impact. You are not looking for roof damage specifically — you are documenting evidence of hail size and event severity. Key items to photograph: dented aluminum gutters (hail leaves distinct circular dents), dented air conditioner condenser fins on your outdoor HVAC unit, cracked or pocked window screens, and any shingle granules that have washed down into the gutters or pooled at downspout exits. These items tell the story of what hit your home even before anyone gets on the roof.
Note the date and time. Write down or record exactly when the storm occurred. Your insurance claim will require a date of loss, and the specific date matters for establishing that damage was caused by a storm event rather than pre-existing wear.
Call SMI for a free inspection before calling your insurance company. This sequence matters. Having a contractor's documented damage assessment in hand before your adjuster visit puts you in a significantly stronger claim position. An adjuster who arrives at a property where damage has already been professionally documented is less likely to minimize findings. Schedule your free inspection here.
How to Document Hail Damage
Good documentation is the difference between a fully covered claim and a disputed one. Here is what to capture before the adjuster arrives.
Gutters and downspouts are the easiest hail evidence to photograph. Aluminum gutters dent clearly from hail impact — even quarter-size hail leaves visible circular impressions. Photograph these with a tape measure or coin for size reference.
AC condenser fins are made of thin aluminum and show hail impacts distinctly. Walk to your outdoor HVAC unit and photograph the fins on all sides. Multiple dents across the fin surface confirm hail size and coverage density. This evidence is particularly valuable because it cannot be attributed to normal wear.
Window screens show hail impact as small circular punctures or tears. Photograph any damaged screens with the frame in view for context.
Granule accumulation in gutters or at downspout exits indicates shingle granule loss from impact. Granules are the small mineral particles embedded in asphalt shingles — they look like coarse sand or very fine gravel in a variety of colors matching your shingle color. Fresh granule loss after a storm is a strong indicator of shingle damage.
Save all photos with their original timestamps intact. Do not edit or filter the images — original metadata supports your documentation. Text or email them to yourself immediately so they are date-stamped in your records.
The Insurance Claim Process After Hail
Once you have your documentation and SMI's inspection report, filing the claim is straightforward. Call your carrier's claims line or file online — have your policy number, the storm date, and your address ready. The carrier will assign an adjuster who will contact you to schedule a visit, typically within 5–14 days.
Have your contractor present at the adjuster meeting. This is one of the most valuable things SMI does for our customers. When your contractor is on the roof alongside the adjuster, damage gets noted thoroughly. Items that adjusters sometimes miss or minimize — drip edge damage, pipe boot cracks, ridge cap impacts — are caught and documented in real time. Studies consistently show that contractor-assisted adjuster meetings produce higher settlement values than homeowner-only meetings.
After the adjuster visit, you will receive a written estimate — typically generated using Xactimate software, the industry standard. Review this estimate carefully. If line items are missing or material prices are below current market rates, SMI will file a supplement on your behalf with supporting documentation. Most of our insurance claim customers in Arkansas receive full replacement value coverage, paying only their deductible out of pocket.
Avoiding Scams After Major Hail Events
Every significant hail event in Arkansas is followed within days by door-to-door solicitation from out-of-state roofing companies. These storm chasers operate a predictable playbook: high-urgency approach, attractive pricing, fast start, and then they are gone before any warranty issues surface. Arkansas has seen hundreds of homeowners left with failed roofs and no recourse because the company that installed them no longer exists in the state.
The clearest warning signs: a contractor who cannot provide a physical Arkansas address, who pressures you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (which transfers your insurance rights to them), who offers to waive your deductible (this is insurance fraud in Arkansas and voids your policy), or who cannot show you a current Arkansas contractor license number.
The safest approach is to have a contractor relationship before the storm. If you do not, choose based on verifiable local reviews, confirmed physical presence, and manufacturer certifications. SMI Roofing has 231+ five-star Google reviews, is headquartered in Russellville, and has been serving Arkansas for 35 years. That is a track record storm chasers simply cannot match. Schedule your free post-storm inspection today.