For homeowners dealing with hail, wind, or storm damage
Updated 2026-08-11Homeowners After a Storm
What to do in the first 48 hours, what your deductible means, ACV versus RCV, the adjuster meeting, and why you should not sign anything on the porch.
The first 48 hours after a storm decide most of what happens next. Here is what they should look like. Make sure everyone is safe. If water is coming in, get a bucket under it and call for a tarp. Take photos of everything you can see from the ground: the ceiling, shingles in the yard, dented gutters, the neighbor's tree. Do not get on the roof. Do not sign anything. By the next morning there will be trucks in the street and strangers on the porch saying the roof is totaled and they can get it replaced for free. That is where Austin homeowners get hurt, not by the hail. What happens after the 48 hours is a process with a few plain facts. Your deductible is your cost on an approved claim, and nobody can legally waive it. Your policy is either replacement cost or actual cash value, and the difference can be thousands of dollars. The adjuster will inspect, and what they see depends on how the damage was documented. A claim can be denied for paperwork reasons that have nothing to do with the roof. Kind Roofing is a Austin company that specializes in this. We tarp, we document, we meet the adjuster, and we explain every step in plain English. We never promise an outcome. We do make sure you are not the one who gets scammed.
Who this is for
This page is for anyone in the Austin metro whose house just went through hail, straight-line wind, a tornado-warned thunderstorm, or a heavy ice event. That includes the older houses around Rainey Street, in North Austin, and across South Austin, where carriers push back hardest on older roofs. It includes Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, and Hays County, where big hail is common. And it includes Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Cedar Park along the Williamson County hail corridor. It applies whether you have a hole in the roof, a ceiling stain that showed up overnight, or no visible damage and three contractors telling you otherwise. It also applies if you filed a claim, got denied, and want to understand why.
What usually goes wrong
The problems we keep seeing
Patterns we run into on almost every new account in this category — and how we think about solving them from day one.
The first 48 hours
In the first two days you need to do four things and avoid two. Do: keep everyone safe, stop active water with a bucket and a proper tarp, photograph what you can see from the ground, and write down the date and time of the storm. Do not: get on the roof, and do not sign anything a door-knocker hands you. Claim windows are usually measured in months, not hours. Check your policy, but you almost always have time to get a free inspection from a local company before deciding anything. A properly installed tarp, secured to the decking and photographed, protects the house and preserves the evidence.
Your deductible is your cost, and it is not negotiable
On an approved claim, the carrier pays the approved scope minus your deductible. That deductible is your cost. It is a flat amount on some policies and a percentage of the home's insured value on others, and a lot of homeowners do not know which until the storm. Anyone offering to waive it, absorb it, or rebate it is asking you to commit insurance fraud, which is illegal in Texas and can get the entire claim denied. The same goes for a contractor who inflates the scope to cover it. Know your deductible before you file. It tells you whether the claim is even worth making.
ACV, RCV, and the check that is smaller than the roof
Replacement cost value (RCV) policies pay to replace the roof, but usually hold back depreciation until the work is finished, then release it as a second check. Actual cash value (ACV) policies pay the depreciated value only. On a 20-year-old roof that gap can be most of the cost. Many carriers have moved older roofs to ACV at renewal without the homeowner noticing, and some have sent non-renewal letters instead. Check your declarations page or ask your agent before you file. We explain what the language means in plain terms. We are not your adjuster and cannot tell you what your carrier will pay.
Denied for the wrong reasons
Most denials we see come down to paperwork, not damage. The claim was filed as wear instead of storm damage. The photos did not show test squares. Nobody met the adjuster on the roof. The date of loss did not match a storm report. On older roofs, some adjusters spend ten minutes and call real hail damage cosmetic or pre-existing. We document the way adjusters expect, meet them on site, and walk the evidence. If you already got a denial, we can inspect and tell you honestly whether a re-inspection request is worth it. We cannot promise it will change the answer.
How we approach it
What working with us actually looks like
Stop the water, save the evidence
If water is coming in, that is the only thing that matters today. We offer emergency tarping across the metro to secure a damaged roof until repairs or a claim can proceed. The tarp is fastened to the decking, not weighed down with bricks, and we photograph the damage before and after so your carrier can see exactly what was there and what was done. Emergency work is documented for your claim as its own line, not hidden inside a replacement quote. After a big event, active leaks come first and we work through the list as fast as conditions allow.
Documentation the adjuster expects
Our storm inspection is free and it is thorough. Every slope gets a test square with chalk-marked hail hits. We photograph bruising, granule loss, creased or missing shingles, dented soft metals like vents and gutters, and collateral damage on siding, windows, and AC fins. We note the date of loss and cross-check it against storm reports. The result is a photo report that shows the damage clearly, separates storm damage from wear, and gives the carrier what it needs. If the damage is not enough to justify a claim against your deductible, we say so before you file.
The adjuster meeting
When the adjuster schedules the site visit, we are there. We walk the roof with them, show the test squares, point out the collateral damage, and answer questions. We are not public adjusters and we do not negotiate your claim. We make sure the evidence gets seen. If the adjuster's scope misses damage we documented, we tell you so you can request a re-inspection. Before the meeting, we walk you through what your policy says, what your deductible is, and how the depreciation holdback works, so the check is not a surprise.
Repair or replace based on the damage, not the payout
Sometimes a storm leaves a roof that needs a $500 repair and a claim that is not worth filing against the deductible. Sometimes it leaves a roof that is legitimately done. We quote what the roof needs. If a claim is approved for replacement, we do the work to the approved scope, and we recommend asking about a Class 4 impact-resistant upgrade so you are not doing this again in three years. If it is a repair, we do it at a fixed price and you move on. We do not talk anyone into a claim to sell a roof.
Services that fit this profile
The work we typically do for homeowners after a storm
After a storm, our services stack in a specific order. Storm damage restoration comes first: emergency tarping if needed, then a free inspection with slope-by-slope documentation and a clear read on whether you have a repair, a claim, or nothing to worry about. Insurance claims assistance runs alongside: we explain your deductible, ACV versus RCV, and depreciation in plain language, meet the adjuster on site, and provide the photos and scope your carrier needs. Roof repair handles storms that caused real but limited damage, typically $350 to $1,500. Roof replacement handles approved claims and roofs that were simply done, with Class 4 impact-resistant shingles from a leading shingle manufacturer as the standard recommendation in hail country. Gutters and siding damaged in the same storm get documented and included in the same claim scope so you are not chasing a second contractor.
Storm Damage & Insurance
Claims handled start to finish
Austin hail season runs March through June, and wind out of summer thunderstorms does the rest. Kind Roofing documents damage, assists with the adjuster, and handles the insurance claim start to finish. Emergency tarping stops the water, a photo-documented inspection captures every slope and every soft-metal hit, and Will meets your adjuster on the roof so the scope reflects what your policy actually covers. We communicate with your adjuster on your behalf and manage the paperwork; you pay your deductible and we handle the rest. What we will never do is offer to waive that deductible — Texas law prohibits it, and it is the fastest way to get a claim denied.
Typical scope
- Storm Damage Inspection
- Insurance Claim Assistance
- Hail Damage Assessment
- Emergency Tarping
Free Roof Inspections
Free · no obligation · no forms
Kind Roofing provides free roof inspections across Austin and Central Texas — for storm damage, general wear, pre-sale condition reports, and annual checkups. Will or Noah will inspect your roof personally, in person, not by drone alone: every slope, the flashing, the vents, the attic where it matters. You get photos of everything we find, a plain-English explanation of what it means, and a clear written assessment with options. If your roof does not need work, we tell you that too. No commitment, no sales pressure, no forms to fill out — text or call (512) 766-9755 to schedule yours.
Typical scope
- Free Roof Inspection
- Pre-Sale Inspection
- Hail Damage Inspection
- Annual Condition Report
Roof Repair
Flat-rate repair quotes, no hidden fees
Not every roof problem needs a full replacement. Kind Roofing diagnoses exactly what is wrong and repairs only what needs fixing, saving Austin homeowners thousands in unnecessary work. We find the actual source of the leak or damage before recommending any repair — no guesswork — then give you a flat-rate written quote with no hidden fees, so you know the cost before we start. Most repairs are completed in one visit, with same-week scheduling available across Austin, and every repair carries our written workmanship warranty.
Typical scope
- Roof Leak Repair
- Flashing Repair
- Hail Damage Repair
- Wind Damage Repair
Roof Replacement
Written quote before work starts
When a repair stops making sense, we replace the whole system: full tear-off to the deck, new underlayment, fresh flashing, proper ventilation, and shingles chosen for Central Texas heat and hail. Kind Roofing handles full roof replacements across Austin and Central Texas — from shingle selection to final cleanup, Will oversees every job personally, ensuring quality at every step. You approve the exact scope and price before a single shingle is touched, Noah confirms the start date before materials are ordered, and the crew leaves your property clean at the end of every day. All replacements come with material and workmanship warranties from a locally owned Texas contractor.
Typical scope
- Asphalt Shingle Replacement
- Residential Full Replacement
- Emergency Replacement
- Full Tear-Off & Cleanup
Local context
Why neighborhood matters for this kind of work
Austin's storm pattern is predictable in shape and unpredictable in timing. Hail season runs March through June, with the biggest cells often tracking northeast across Williamson County and into Hays County. Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Buda, and Buda see large hail regularly. On the Texas side, the I-35 and I-435 corridors through Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, and Cedar Park are the metro's most active hail zone. The same storms cross the urban core, and the claims there go differently. A 1990s roof in Round Rock with a replacement cost policy is usually a clean claim. A 1948 house in Windsor Park or North Austin with a second layer and an actual cash value policy is where carriers push back, where the depreciation gap is biggest, and where the door-knockers work hardest. Summer brings straight-line wind that peels shingles and drops limbs. Winter adds wind-driven rain and heat and UV that open up any weak flashing the spring left behind. Whatever the storm, the documentation standard is the same, and so is the scam pattern that follows it.
Round Rock
The county's biggest city. 1980s–2010s subdivisions reaching replacement together under HOA rules, an older core around the downtown square, and spring hail most years.
Leander
One of the fastest-growing cities in Texas: 2000s-and-newer subdivisions under HOA rules, larger lots and metal roofs toward the Hill Country, hail and wind most springs.
Pflugerville
Northeast of Austin along SH-130 and I-35. Mostly 1990s-and-newer subdivisions under HOA rules, reaching first replacement together. Hail and wind off open ground.
Cedar Park
1990s–2010s subdivisions along US-183 and RM 1431 reaching first replacement under HOA covenants, with Hill Country wind on the west side.
Georgetown
A historic downtown square under preservation review, Sun City and other 2000s-and-newer communities reaching first replacement, and open ground that gives wind a clear run.
Buda
Small-town core along Main Street, 2000s-and-newer subdivisions on the edges under HOA rules, and southwest storms that arrive early.
Kyle
Along I-35 south of Austin. Plum Creek and 2000s-and-newer subdivisions reaching first replacement under HOA rules; storms from the southwest often hit Kyle before Austin.
Cedar Park
1990s–2010s subdivisions along US-183 and RM 1431 reaching first replacement under HOA covenants, with Hill Country wind on the west side.
Georgetown
A historic downtown square under preservation review, Sun City and other 2000s-and-newer communities reaching first replacement, and open ground that gives wind a clear run.
Latest guides for this audience
Reading we send homeowners after a storm most often
City-specific pricing, process notes, and insurance references. Updated through 2026-08-11.
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Our process
How a project actually moves
- 1
The first 48 hours
Keep everyone safe, bucket the leak, photograph what you can see from the ground, and do not sign anything. Call or text and we tarp active leaks and photograph the damage before it is disturbed.
- 2
Free storm inspection
We inspect every slope with test squares and photos, check gutters, vents, siding, and windows, and tell you honestly whether this is a repair, a claim worth your deductible, or nothing.
- 3
File and meet the adjuster
If a claim makes sense, you file it and we meet the adjuster on site with the documentation. Before that meeting, we explain your deductible, ACV versus RCV, and depreciation in plain terms.
- 4
Repair or replace to the approved scope
Once the scope is set, we do the work, send completion photos, and provide the paperwork your carrier needs to release any held-back depreciation.
Case study
A typical hail-claim replacement in Round Rock
Round Rock, MO
Challenge
A late-April hail cell crosses Round Rock in the early evening. By Saturday morning, a homeowner in a 1990s subdivision has two door-knockers, a flyer offering a free roof with the deductible covered, and a neighbor who already signed a contingency agreement. The homeowner cannot see damage from the driveway. The roof is 16 years old and has never been inspected. They do not know their deductible or whether the policy is replacement cost, and they do not want to file a claim for nothing or miss real damage.
Solution
Kind Roofing performs a free inspection the following week. Test squares on all four slopes show consistent hail bruising above the threshold most carriers use, and the north-facing gutters and vent caps are dented. The photo report documents everything with the storm date. Before filing, the homeowner pulls the declarations page with Kind Roofing and confirms a replacement cost policy with a flat deductible. The homeowner files, and Kind Roofing meets the adjuster on the roof, walks the test squares, and points out the collateral damage.
Outcome
The claim is approved for a full replacement. The homeowner's cost is the deductible. They choose a Class 4 impact-resistant architectural shingle as an upgrade, and the gutters are included in the approved scope. The work is completed in two days with a magnet sweep and walkthrough. Completion photos and the final invoice go to the carrier, and the held-back depreciation is released after the work is done. No contingency agreement was ever signed.
Common questions
What homeowners after a storm usually ask us first
What should I do in the first 48 hours after a storm?
Make sure everyone is safe. Stop any active leak with a bucket and, if needed, a tarp. Take photos of anything you can see from the ground: ceiling stains, shingles in the yard, dented gutters, damaged siding. Write down the storm date. Do not get on the roof. Do not sign anything a door-knocker hands you. Then <a href="/contact">book a free inspection</a> with a local company. Claim windows are usually measured in months, so you have time to do this right.
What is my deductible and who pays it?
Your deductible is the part of an approved claim you pay. It is on your declarations page, either as a flat amount or as a percentage of your home's insured value, and wind and hail sometimes have their own deductible. On an approved claim your cost is usually your deductible, and the carrier pays the rest of the approved scope. Knowing the number before you file tells you whether a claim makes sense. A $600 repair is not worth a claim against a $2,500 deductible, and we will say so.
What is the difference between ACV and RCV?
Replacement cost value (RCV) policies pay to replace the roof, but usually hold back depreciation until the work is finished and then release it. Actual cash value (ACV) policies pay the depreciated value only, which on an older roof can leave a large gap you cover yourself. Some carriers have moved older roofs to ACV at renewal without homeowners noticing. Check your declarations page or ask your agent. We explain what the language means, but we are not your adjuster and cannot tell you what your carrier will pay. The <a href="/services/storm-damage">insurance claims page</a> covers the full process.
Why do roof claims get denied?
Most denials come down to documentation and framing rather than the damage: the claim was filed as wear instead of storm damage, the photos did not show test squares, no one met the adjuster, or the date of loss did not match a storm event. On older roofs, some adjusters call real hail damage cosmetic or pre-existing. We document to the standard carriers expect and meet the adjuster on site. We cannot promise approval. If you were denied, we can inspect and tell you honestly whether a re-inspection request is worth it.
A contractor offered to waive my deductible. Is that legal?
No. Offering to waive, absorb, or rebate an insurance deductible is insurance fraud in Texas, and it is a red flag for everything else that contractor is going to do. The same goes for inflating the claim to cover the deductible. You pay your deductible, the carrier pays the rest of the approved scope, and the contractor does the work for that amount. Anything else puts you and your claim at risk. Do not sign the contingency agreement either. Get a free inspection first.
How fast can you tarp a roof after a storm?
We offer emergency tarping across the metro, including <a href="/service-areas/round-rock">Round Rock</a>, <a href="/service-areas/leander">Leander</a>, <a href="/service-areas/pflugerville">Pflugerville</a>, <a href="/service-areas/cedar-park">Cedar Park</a>, <a href="/service-areas/georgetown">Georgetown</a>, and all of <a href="/service-areas/austin">Austin</a>. Call or text and we get someone out as quickly as conditions and demand allow; after a large event, active leaks come first. Tarps are secured to the decking and photographed for your claim. See the <a href="/services/storm-damage">storm damage page</a> for what emergency service includes.
What every engagement with us includes
The standards we hold to regardless of project size
Whether you're engaging us for a single leak repair or a multi-building re-roof across a portfolio of properties, the baseline operating standards are the same. These are the details that decide whether a roofer is worth calling back after the next storm.
Fully insured
Fully insured on across Central Texas, with general liability and workers compensation coverage. Certificates of insurance are provided before any crew is on the roof. This level of coverage is standard on every engagement — not an upsell.
Named point of contact, not a dispatch line
Every account has a named project lead who stays with you across the relationship. You are not routed through a call center, and you are not re-explaining your roof to a different person every time you reach out. Institutional memory accumulates in the property file, not in any one employee's head.
Written scope with explicit inclusions and exclusions
Our proposals list what's in scope, what's out of scope, what triggers a change order (rotten decking, extra layers, code upgrades), and what doesn't. Ambiguity in a roofing contract is where margin disappears and trust erodes. Clarity up front is how we keep the relationship clean over years.
Crews across the Austin metro
We run crews across Austin, the north suburbs, Hays County, Williamson County, and out to San Marcos and San Marcos. Being local means storm response is fast and follow-up visits don't get lost — our trucks are already nearby.
Photo-documented everything
We photograph the roof before work begins, the decking once the old shingles are off, and the finished result. For storm claims, that documentation is exactly what your adjuster needs to see. It protects both sides and gives you a clean record if the property changes hands or you need to justify spend to ownership.
Warranty that stays warrantable
Manufacturer and workmanship warranties are meaningful because we're still going to be around to honor them. Locally owned and Austin-based, we don't chase storms out of state and disappear. Warranty claims get responded to the same week they're flagged, and legitimate issues get fixed without argument.
Credentials
What we bring to the table
- Fully insured in Texas
- Locally owned — based in Austin, TX
- General liability and workers compensation coverage
- Certificates of insurance available on request
- 5.0 stars on Google across 16 reviews
- leading shingle manufacturers systems — including Class 4 impact-resistant shingles
Where we work
Service area
We serve residential, commercial, HOA, and multifamily accounts across the Austin metro, with active coverage in Austin, Pflugerville, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Blue Springs, Kyle, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Lakeway, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Austin KS, and out to San Marcos and San Marcos.
If your property is outside these routes but within roughly 40 miles of the metro, reach out anyway — we flex coverage for the right project. For properties farther afield, we're happy to point you to a contractor we trust.
Next step
Ready to talk specifics?
If a storm just came through, do the simple things first: stop the leak, take photos, write down the date, and do not sign anything on the porch. Then get a free inspection from a Austin company that will be here when the storm chasers are gone. We tell you honestly whether you have a repair, a claim worth your deductible, or nothing at all. If it is a claim, we explain ACV versus RCV before you file, document it properly, and meet your adjuster on the roof. We cannot promise what your carrier will decide. We can promise the evidence will be presented right. Call or text (512) 766-9755.
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Read moreFree Inspection · No Obligation
Not sure if it's a repair, a replacement, or a claim?
Free inspection, photos of what we found, and a straight answer. If it's a $300 fix, we'll say so. If it's a claim, we'll explain what your policy actually pays before you file.
- Free inspection with photos, no obligation
- Repair first: if it's a $300 fix, we'll say so
- On an approved claim your cost is usually your deductible
Who's this inspection for?
Takes about 60 seconds. Free inspection, no obligation.