Austin hail-damage checklist: what to inspect, document, and repair

After an Austin hailstorm, do three things in order: protect people, document the condition, and prevent additional damage without destroying evidence. Then read the policy and coordinate permanent repairs with the insurer and qualified contractors.

1. Make the property safe

Stay away from downed lines, unstable trees, damaged ceilings, broken glass, and standing water near electrical systems. Use emergency services or the utility when needed. Do not climb onto a wet, steep, or damaged roof.

If water is entering, move belongings when safe and use temporary measures to limit further damage. Texas Department of Insurance guidance says to make only temporary repairs before the insurer sees the damage and to keep receipts.

2. Create a dated evidence record

Photograph and video:

• each exterior elevation;
• roof edges and visible damage from the ground;
• gutters, downspouts, vents, screens, siding, windows, doors, fences, and outdoor equipment;
• interior leaks, stains, flooring, ceilings, and belongings;
• hail size next to a common object, if it can be done safely.

Capture wide context and close detail. Record the storm date, approximate time, and when each symptom appeared. Do not throw damaged items away until the insurer says they are no longer needed.

3. Review the policy and notify the insurer

Check deductibles, wind/hail provisions, replacement-cost versus actual-cash-value treatment, exclusions, reporting duties, repair deadlines, and whether recoverable depreciation applies. Coverage is policy-specific.

Give factual information and preserve the claim number and communications. An insurer does not owe a roof replacement merely because the roof is old; the covered damage and policy terms control.

4. Get a qualified inspection

Ask the inspector to separate storm damage from age, wear, installation defects, maintenance, or prior damage. The report should identify components, photos, quantities, repairability, and any immediate safety or water-intrusion issue.

Interior staining does not prove the exact roof cause. Conversely, no active leak does not prove the roof escaped damage.

5. Compare written scopes

Obtain multiple bids when practical. Compare roof area, tear-off layers, decking allowance, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, penetrations, edge metal, materials, code requirements, permits, disposal, interior restoration, warranty, and schedule.

The contractor's scope and the adjuster's estimate serve different roles. Resolve missing or disputed items through documented evidence rather than an unexplained lump-sum promise.

6. Protect yourself from storm fraud

Verify the company, applicable credentials, insurance, references, and permit responsibility. Do not sign a document you do not understand, leave blanks, or pay the full project price up front.

Texas law prohibits a contractor from waiving or rebating a residential property-insurance deductible. A “free roof” promise based on hiding the deductible is a serious warning sign.

7. Track temporary and permanent repairs separately

Keep temporary-protection receipts, permanent-work invoices, change orders, inspection results, warranties, and proof of payment. If concealed damage appears, pause and document it before authorizing a revised scope.

8. Close the claim and the home record

Before final payment, confirm the contracted scope is complete, required inspections are closed, property is cleaned, warranties are delivered, and claim supplements or recoverable depreciation documents are submitted as required. Save the full file with the property.

Where Completa fits

Completa can organize the damage photos, contractor scopes, starting estimate, review, milestones, changes, and closeout record. It does not determine insurance coverage or replace the adjuster, insurer, engineer, attorney, or licensed professional.