What should you do about windstorm roof damage before the insurance adjuster comes?
Short answer. Protect the house from more water with a tarp or temporary patch, but photograph the damage first and hold off on permanent repairs. Collect shingles that blew off, write down the storm date and reported gusts, have a roofer document every slope, and gather your policy details so the adjuster's visit confirms the full wind loss.
Protect without erasing evidence
- Photograph the roof and the interior before any tarp goes on.
- Tarp openings or missing sections to stop water; the reasonable cost is typically reimbursed. See your duty to mitigate.
- Do not have a full repair or reroof done before the inspection unless the insurer agrees, because the adjuster needs to see the damage.
- Keep receipts and photos of the temporary work.
Collect the evidence
- Shingles and ridge caps from the yard, bagged and labeled.
- Gust reports for your area on the storm date.
- A roofer's slope-by-slope photos of missing, creased and unsealed shingles.
- The shingle brand and roof age, if you know them.
Prepare for the visit
- Have your claim number, declarations page and photo set ready.
- Schedule the inspection for a time your roofer can be on the roof with the adjuster.
- List interior damage room by room.
- Ask the adjuster which slopes were inspected, and request the photo report and estimate.
If more wind comes before the inspection
Photograph any new damage with the date and tell the insurer. Two storms close together can raise questions about which one caused what. See date of loss and preparing for the adjuster.