When a storm rolls off Monte Sano and across the county, the out-of-state trucks appear the next morning with door hangers. Some of them do fine work. Many of them will be gone by the time your roof has its first problem. This page is about how to handle a storm claim without getting burned.
Start with an honest inspection. Hail damage looks like round bruises where the granules have been knocked off and the black mat shows through; wind damage looks like creased, lifted or missing shingles. Damage to soft metals — vents, gutters, the AC condenser fins — tells the adjuster how big the hail was. We photograph all of it, mark the hits with chalk, and give you the photos whether or not you hire us. If it isn't a claim, we'll tell you that too; filing a claim that gets denied still counts against you.
What's included
Free storm inspection
On the roof with a camera, usually within 24 hours of your call after a storm.
Emergency tarping
Any hour, any night. We stop the water first and figure out the permanent fix in daylight.
Claim documentation
Photo report, test-square counts and a line-item estimate in the format carriers use.
Adjuster meeting
We meet the adjuster on the roof so nothing gets missed and nothing gets exaggerated.
Repair or replacement
Whatever the claim supports — from a slope repair to a full replacement — installed by licensed roofers.
No deductible games
We don't 'waive' or 'absorb' deductibles. That's insurance fraud in Alabama and the mark of a crew to avoid.
What storm damage work costs — and who pays
| Job | Typical installed price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency tarp | $250 – $600 | Often reimbursed by the carrier; credited to the job |
| Wind damage repair (one slope) | $450 – $1,800 | Depends on shingle match and area |
| Hail damage inspection & photo report | Free | Yours to keep either way |
| Insurance-approved full replacement | Your deductible | Carrier pays the rest per the adjusted scope |
| Tree-impact repair (decking + framing) | $1,500 – $6,000+ | Structural repairs priced after the tarp is on |
Storm work is usually paid by your insurance carrier under the adjusted scope, less your deductible. We give you a written estimate either way so you can compare it with the adjuster's numbers.
Huntsville's hail record, in plain numbers
Storm spotters have logged more than a hundred hail reports within ten miles of Huntsville since 2004, with April and May the peak months. The May 20, 2025 storm alone produced golf-ball to baseball-size hail from Redstone Arsenal through Bob Wallace Avenue to Jones Valley, and roofs in south Huntsville and Hampton Cove are still being replaced from it. If your roof is more than a few years old and you were under that storm, an inspection is worth an hour of your time.
How to spot a storm chaser
Out-of-state plates and a door hanger the morning after. Pressure to sign an "assignment of benefits" or a contract before the inspection. An offer to waive your deductible. No local address, no HBLB license number they can show you. A price that's exactly your insurance payout no matter what the roof needs. Any one of those is a reason to call someone local instead.
Recent work
Questions we get about storm & hail damage
What does hail damage look like on a shingle roof?
Round, random dents where the granules are gone and the black asphalt mat shows, often with a soft spot you can feel. It's different from blistering (which is manufacturing) and from wear (which is uniform). Hits on soft metal — vents, gutters, downspouts — confirm the hail size.
Should I file an insurance claim for my roof?
Only if there's enough damage for the carrier to pay for repairs or replacement above your deductible. That's what the free inspection is for. If the damage is minor we'll say so, because a denied claim stays on your record for years.
How long after a storm can I file a claim in Alabama?
Most Alabama homeowner policies allow one to two years to report storm damage, but every policy is different and carriers get skeptical fast. The May 2025 hail is still being claimed across Madison County; get the inspection done now rather than later.
Will my insurance pay for a full roof replacement?
If the hail or wind damage is spread across the roof and meets the carrier's threshold (typically a certain number of hits in a 10×10 test square on multiple slopes), the adjuster will scope a replacement. If it's confined to one slope, they may pay for a slope repair. We document either way.
Do I have to use the roofer my insurance company recommends?
No. In Alabama you choose your contractor. Carrier 'preferred' lists are a convenience for the carrier, not a requirement for you.
What about the 2011 tornado or ice storm damage — same process?
Yes: tarp, document, file, meet the adjuster, repair. Wind and falling-tree damage is usually clearer-cut than hail because the damage is obvious.