Storm rolled through your neighborhood? Before you panic or get played by a door knocker, learn what real damage looks like, what your insurance actually covers, and what to do right now.
Not every dent is a claim and not every shingle flip needs a full replacement. Here is what to look for after a storm, broken down by area of your home.
Hail hits shingles and knocks off the protective granule coating. This exposes the asphalt layer underneath, which deteriorates fast in UV and rain.
Vinyl and aluminum siding both show hail impact differently. Vinyl cracks or chips. Aluminum dents. Both compromise your home's weather barrier.
Metal gutters are your early warning system. If gutters are dented, the roof above them almost certainly took hits too.
Window damage is often the most visible sign of a significant hail event. Check every window on the storm-facing side of your home.
Your roof is not the only target. Hail hits everything, and the collateral damage can help you prove the severity of the storm.
Wind lifts shingles at the edges and creases them. Even if they lay back down, the seal is broken and they will fail sooner.
The size of the hailstone determines the type and severity of damage to your property. Here is what each size typically causes.
Follow these steps in order. Doing them right protects your home and your insurance claim.
Do not climb on your roof. Do not walk through standing water. If you see downed power lines, stay inside and call your utility provider. Safety comes before property assessment.
Never walk a wet or damaged roofGrab your phone. Walk the perimeter of your home and photograph every piece of visible damage: dented gutters, cracked siding, damaged screens, debris on the ground. Time-stamped photos are your most powerful tool for the insurance claim.
Photos = Proof = PaymentIf you have active leaks, place buckets and tarps where you can. Your insurance policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. Save your receipts for any emergency supplies you purchase.
Get a professional inspection before you call your insurance company. A licensed contractor can identify damage you might miss and document it properly. This gives you stronger footing when you file your claim.
Raplor offers free storm inspectionsContact your homeowner's insurance to open a claim. Provide your documentation and contractor's inspection report. Your adjuster will schedule their own inspection. Having a contractor present during the adjuster visit is strongly recommended.
If someone knocks on your door the day after a storm offering a "free roof," proceed with extreme caution. Legitimate contractors do not pressure you to sign on the spot. Check for a Minnesota license, physical office address, and references before signing anything.
If they pressure you, they are not for youInsurance claims can be confusing. Here is how the process typically works for storm damage in Minnesota.
Call your insurance company and open a claim. Most policies have a 1-year window from the date of the storm event. Do not wait. Provide your photos, the date of the storm, and your contractor's inspection report.
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. They will document what they find and compare it against your policy. Having your contractor present ensures nothing gets overlooked or undervalued.
You are responsible for your deductible (typically $1,000 to $2,500 for homeowners). The insurance company pays the rest, up to your coverage limits. Any contractor who offers to "cover your deductible" is committing insurance fraud.
Often the initial insurance payout does not cover the full scope. Your contractor can file a "supplement" with additional documentation to get the claim adjusted to the correct amount. This is standard practice and completely legitimate.
Minnesota's statute of limitations on storm damage claims is typically one year from the event. Some policies have shorter windows. Damage that goes unrepaired worsens over time and can void your coverage. Act quickly.
We work with your insurance company directly. We document, photograph, submit, and supplement. You do not need to navigate the process alone. Our team has handled hundreds of storm damage claims across Minnesota.
Look for dark spots on shingles, granules in your gutters, and dents on metal components like vents and flashing. From the ground, check your gutters, downspouts, and AC unit for dings. The safest option is to schedule a free professional inspection.
Storm damage claims are categorized as "acts of nature" and in most cases do not increase your premiums in Minnesota. Your rate is more affected by the area you live in than by filing a legitimate weather-related claim.
Most policies allow up to one year from the storm event. However, some policies have shorter windows, and waiting too long allows damage to worsen, which can complicate your claim. We recommend getting an inspection within 30 days.
For insurance claims, your only out-of-pocket cost is typically your deductible. Raplor does not require upfront payment on insurance restoration projects. We work directly with your insurance company on billing.
Cosmetic damage affects appearance but not performance (a small dent in aluminum siding). Functional damage compromises the material's ability to protect your home (cracked shingles, broken seals). Insurance typically covers functional damage. A professional inspection determines which category your damage falls into.
Red flags include: knocking on your door unsolicited after a storm, pressuring you to sign a contract immediately, offering to cover your deductible (this is illegal), no local office address, out-of-state license plates, and asking for large upfront payments. Always verify a contractor's Minnesota license.
You always have the right to choose your own contractor. Your insurance company cannot force you to use a specific contractor. Choose a licensed, insured, local company with storm damage experience and a physical office you can visit.
You have the knowledge. Now get a licensed professional on your roof to confirm what you are dealing with. Every Raplor inspection is free, thorough, and comes with full documentation you can use for your insurance claim.
Storm rolled through? Drop your info — a licensed pro will be on your roof with full documentation for your insurance claim.