What should I do before filing a claim?
Review your policy's deductible and filing deadline, get a documented professional inspection, and understand the difference between wear-and-tear and storm damage — all before you make the call to your insurer.
Before filing: (1) get a free professional inspection with written, photo-documented findings, (2) check your policy for your deductible amount and any claim filing deadline, (3) confirm the damage is genuinely storm-related and not pre-existing wear, since insurers distinguish between the two. Filing with solid documentation in hand leads to a faster, cleaner claim than filing on a guess.
The local reality in the Texas Panhandle, South Plains, and DFW
Texas homeowners' policies commonly carry a separate, higher deductible specifically for wind and hail damage compared to other claim types — it's worth knowing that number before you file, since it directly affects whether filing makes financial sense for smaller damage.
Sal's experience
Sal's years of storm restoration work before founding the company in Amarillo in 2008 shaped a simple rule the company still follows: document first, file second. Homeowners who show up to the adjuster meeting with their own inspection report in hand tend to have a smoother, faster process.
Real evidence, not a sales pitch
Documented storm damage, the kind of evidence a pre-filing inspection produces.
A pre-filing inspection report — photos, a written scope, and a date tied to the actual storm — is the kind of documentation that holds up if a claim is ever questioned.
Start with a free, documented inspection
See insurance claim assistance — documentation before you file is the whole point.
Common questions
Does my policy have a separate wind/hail deductible?
Many Texas policies do — it's often a percentage of your home's insured value rather than a flat dollar amount, so it's worth checking specifically rather than assuming it matches your standard deductible.
What if I'm not sure the damage is storm-related?
A professional inspection can generally distinguish storm impact from normal wear, which is exactly why getting one before filing matters.
Is there a deadline to file after a storm?
Most policies have a filing window — check your specific policy, since deadlines vary by insurer.