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Hail damaged my roof. What do I do first?
Source: Texas Roofing Help (texasroofinghelp.com), part of the Local Help Stations network (localhelpstations.com). Last updated November 1, 2026.
File an insurance claim as soon as you can. If you have wind and hail coverage, your insurance company should pay for hail damage. (source: Texas Department of Insurance)
- Take pictures and video of the damage and make a list.
- Do not throw damaged items away until your insurer tells you.
- Prevent more damage, for example by covering holes, and save all receipts. Your policy may pay for temporary repairs.
- Be available for the adjuster visit and keep a list of everyone you talk to.
(source: Texas Department of Insurance)
Make only temporary repairs, such as a tarp over a damaged roof. The insurance company might deny your claim if you make permanent repairs before it sees the damage. (source: Texas Department of Insurance)
Dallas, for example, says no permit is required for temporary measures such as tarps. (source: City of Dallas Development Services)
Stay off the roof
Do not climb on a wet or damaged roof; have a professional tarp it. OSHA's roof tarping safety sheet, written for workers, says no one should work on top of a damaged roof until its strength and structural integrity have been determined, never to install a tarp while it is windy or raining, and that a tarped roof is very slippery, especially when wet. (source: U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
On this site: Do roofers need a license in Texas? · Can a roofer waive or pay my insurance deductible in Texas? · Texas roof insurance claim deadlines · Coastal roofs: TWIA coverage and the WPI-8 · Storm chaser roofers: how to spot a Texas roofing scam · How to hire a roofer in Texas · Hail damaged my roof. What do I do first? · Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Texas? · Texas roofing fees, penalties and numbers · Where to complain about a roofer in Texas · Cities · FAQ · Sources
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance (TDI): Hail damage to your home or car? What to do next. (checked November 1, 2026)
- Texas Department of Insurance (TDI): Home Insurance Guide (checked November 1, 2026)
- City of Dallas Development Services: Storm Damage Repair Information (checked November 1, 2026)
- U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Roof Tarping (Blue Roof) Safety (OSHA 3926, PDF) (checked November 1, 2026)
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