What is your process for storm damage and insurance claims?

Bay Area storm claims are usually wind-driven (atmospheric river events lifting shingles in valleys and at hip seams) or impact-driven (eucalyptus, redwood, and oak branches in winter storms). Real hail damage is rarer but does happen in foothill micro-events.

Our process, when you call us during or right after a storm:

1. Emergency tarp within 24 hours. We do not climb in active storm conditions, but we will install a tarp the moment it is safe — usually 1,000–2,000 sq ft of poly tarp anchored to sound shingles with sandbags or screwed battens, never nailed through good roof.
2. Documentation pass. Drone or pole-cam exterior photos, attic interior photos with moisture mapping, and a written estimate to insurance-scope standards (Xactimate line items). We hand you a damage-assessment PDF you can attach to your insurance claim.
3. File your claim. You file with your carrier; we provide the documentation. Most California policies require notice of loss within 30–60 days — call your carrier the day you notice damage, even before we visit.
4. Adjuster meeting. We meet your insurance adjuster on site, walk the roof together, and reconcile scope. This is the step that determines payout. Adjusters covering volume often miss code-required items (drip edge upgrade, ice-and-water shield in valleys, ventilation upgrades). Having a licensed roofer present means those items get into the approved scope, not negotiated later.
5. Supplement, if needed. When initial scope is short, we file a supplement with photos and code citations. Roughly 60% of the storm claims we work on require at least one supplement to reach a complete scope.
6. Repair or replace. Once the insurance settlement is final, we collect the deductible from you and bill the carrier directly for the rest. No surprise invoices.

What insurance does not pay for: the upgrade delta between current code and an old roof’s spec, if the policy lacks Ordinance & Law coverage. We tell you that delta in advance, in writing, so there are no surprises at closing.