Hail storms hit the Coastal Bend hardest from March through May, with smaller pop-up systems through the rest of spring. If a storm drops anything bigger than dime-sized hail on your house, the next 48 hours matter.
Most insurance carriers expect you to report damage within a defined window after a storm. Texas policies vary, but a fast claim with documented evidence is almost always treated more favorably than one that lands weeks later. Here is what to do, in order.
1. Document before you do anything else
Walk the perimeter of the house with your phone. Photograph every side of the roof from the ground at a wide angle, then close-ups of any visible damage to siding, gutters, downspouts, window screens, and AC condenser fins. Save the original photos with their timestamps and location metadata intact.
If you can safely see the roof from a second-floor window or a deck, photograph the shingles, ridge cap, and any visible flashing. Do not climb on a wet roof. Adjusters and roofers expect ground-level photos as a starting point.
2. File the claim right away
Call your insurance carrier and open a claim. You are not obligated to commit to repair scope on this call. Get a claim number, the assigned adjuster's contact, and a confirmed date for the on-site inspection.
If you have a deductible-recoverable policy and the damage is widespread, the claim payout typically covers the bulk of the replacement scope minus your deductible. Your roofer can document supplemental items the adjuster misses, but the initial claim has to be opened first.
3. Get a real roofer to dry-in any active leaks
Active leaks are an emergency, claim or no claim. Wet decking and insulation feed mold growth within 48 to 72 hours, and most insurance policies require you to mitigate further damage. A reputable roofer will tarp the damaged area, document moisture readings inside the attic, and write up the dry-in scope as a separate line item the carrier will reimburse.
If your roof is dry but you suspect hail damage, you have a little more time. Schedule the inspection within a week and align it with the adjuster visit if possible.
4. Watch out for storm chasers
Within hours of a named storm, out-of-state roofers descend on Coastal Bend neighborhoods knocking doors. Some are legitimate. Many are not. Red flags:
- They show up uninvited within 24 hours of the storm.
- Refuse to provide a Texas business address you can verify.
- Push you to sign a contract before the insurance scope is finalized.
- Offer to "waive your deductible" — this is illegal in Texas under HB 2102 and a criminal offense.
- Quote a price without inspecting your decking and insulation in the attic.
- Have no general liability or workers comp insurance certificate on hand.
Local roofers with a real Coastal Bend address, manufacturer certification (GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Preferred), and standard insurance documentation are the safe baseline. Texas does not require a state roofing license, but a licensed installer carrying the right manufacturer credentials is the next-best signal.
5. What to expect on the inspection
A real inspection takes 45 minutes to two hours. The roofer chalks impact bruises on damaged shingles, photographs each side of the roof, examines the flashing around chimneys and vents, and checks the attic for moisture intrusion. They produce a written scope with specific square footage, damaged components, and replacement materials called out.
Costs vary by square footage, pitch, material, and decking condition. A standard architectural shingle replacement on a typical Coastal Bend single-family home runs in the mid five-figure range, with metal and tile higher. The exact number comes from the on-site assessment.
Get a Coastal Bend roofer on the phone right now
If you have hail damage and want a local roofer to inspect, NPCLocal routes calls and online requests to Texas roofers covering Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend. Tap the Call button on the roofing page or submit the form online and someone will follow up within the hour during business hours.