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Storm Damage & Insurance Restoration

Document the damage
before you decide.

On-site hail and wind review and construction-scope coordination that keeps carrier decisions with the homeowner and insurer. Tessera does not absorb deductibles.

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  • Visible conditions reviewed
  • Construction scope kept in writing
  • § 407.725 compliant — no deductible absorption

Fresh hail or wind?

Your first three steps.

Separate immediate property protection from the contractor decision. These steps preserve the facts without rushing you into a roofing contract.

01

Document from the ground

Photograph anything obvious — dented gutters, shingle debris, missing pieces. Note the storm date. Do not climb the roof.

02

Call your carrier

You open the claim, not a contractor. It costs nothing to ask whether you have coverage and what your deductible is.

03

Get an on-site assessment

An on-site review considers visible conditions and supporting photos where useful before construction work is authorized.

Signs your roof has storm damage

Most storm damage is not obvious from the driveway. Here is what we actually consider during an on-site assessment:

  • Hail bruising — dark, soft, circular spots where hail impacted the shingle mat, often only visible up close or from the roof itself.
  • Granule loss — bare or shiny patches on shingles, and unusual grit buildup in gutters and at downspout outlets.
  • Wind damage — lifted, creased, or missing shingles, especially along ridges, hips, and roof edges.
  • Soft or spongy decking — usually only found during tear-off, but sometimes visible as sagging from inside the attic.
  • Damaged flashing or vents — dented pipe boots, chimney flashing, and vent caps, which fail quietly and cause leaks well after the storm.

If you are not sure, that is exactly what the assessment is for. The next step should follow what can actually be observed — not what sells a job.

The process

Eight steps, with the owner of each decision made clear.

The carrier decides coverage, you approve the contract, and the contractor documents the construction scope. The sequence below keeps those roles separate.

  1. 01

    You file the claim

    You open the claim with your carrier. We point you at common carrier contacts — we do not file on your behalf, and no honest contractor should.

  2. 02

    We review visible conditions

    An on-site assessment considers visible conditions and supporting photos where useful. The carrier decides what it needs for coverage review.

  3. 03

    The adjuster inspects

    You schedule your insurer's site inspection. We can be on-site to flag visible damage and code items — we do not negotiate the scope.

  4. 04

    Your insurer issues a scope

    The carrier writes a scope of loss and cuts an Actual Cash Value (ACV) check. That scope is what the roof gets built to.

  5. 05

    You sign, deductible included

    The contract ties to that scope and lists your deductible as a real line item you pay. We never absorb it, waive it, or hide it as a discount.

  6. 06

    Supplements, in writing

    If tear-off uncovers hidden damage or code-required upgrades, we file a documented supplement. Nothing extra goes on the roof without your written sign-off.

  7. 07

    Depreciation released

    On substantial completion your insurer releases the withheld depreciation (RCV minus ACV minus deductible). You pay per the contract draw schedule.

  8. 08

    Required closeout follows

    Applicable municipal inspection, completion documentation, and product paperwork close out the construction scope.

We attach our standard Hailstorm / Insurance-Claim Addendum to every insurance-funded roofing contract — no deductible absorption, no claim negotiation on your behalf, your right to cancel if your insurer denies the claim, and the supplement-handling protocol, all in plain language.

Know the difference

Compare the contract, not the doorstep pitch.

A contractor's location, documentation, deductible language, and supplement process tell you more than the urgency of the sales pitch. Use the comparison below as a contract checklist.

  Tessera Storm-chaser
Documents damage before you sign anything
Waits for your adjuster before starting work
Lists your deductible as a real line item
Offers to "absorb" or "eat" your deductible
Pressures a same-day signature at the door
Separates carrier coverage from construction scope
Documents scope changes before the affected work

A terracotta check under “Storm-chaser” marks the tactics to walk away from — deductible absorption is illegal in Missouri (§ 407.725 RSMo), and anyone offering it is asking you to commit insurance fraud.

Not sure whether the roof needs a claim or a repair?

Start with the roof condition and a clear explanation of the proposed construction scope. Coverage remains a decision between you and your carrier.

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Contract red flags after a storm

A fast doorstep pitch is not evidence of roof damage, coverage, or contractor quality. Before signing, verify the written scope, deductible language, local contact information, and what happens when hidden damage or scope questions arise:

  • Visible conditions and supporting photos should be documented before work is authorized.
  • The contract should leave room for review rather than demand a same-day signature.
  • Contact information, change documentation, and closeout responsibilities should be written into the agreement.
  • A Missouri insurance-funded roofing contract should never offer to pay, waive, rebate, or absorb the homeowner deductible.

For a deeper walkthrough of the claim math and timelines, see the Hailstorm & Insurance Guide on the journal, and the full roofing service page for tear-off, decking, and shingle-install details.

Storm damage FAQ

Questions to answer before the contract.

I had hail or wind damage. How does the insurance claim process work?

You file the claim with your insurance carrier. We do the on-site assessment, photograph and document damage, and meet your insurance adjuster on-site if you want us there. Once your insurer issues a scope of work and Actual Cash Value (ACV) check, we build to that scope. If we find code-required upgrades or hidden damage during tear-off, we file supplements with documentation and photos. We do not negotiate the claim on your behalf — that is a regulated activity in Missouri (§ 407.725) and we leave it to you and your carrier.

Will you "eat" or "absorb" my deductible?

No. Offering to absorb a homeowner's deductible on insurance-claim residential roofing work is illegal in Missouri (§ 407.725 RSMo) and creates insurance-fraud exposure for both contractor and homeowner. Anyone offering to do this is asking you to commit fraud. We will not do it, and we recommend against working with anyone who will.

How do I know if my roof actually has storm damage?

Hail bruising can appear as dark, soft, circular spots on shingles — often not visible from the ground. Wind damage can show as lifted, creased, or missing shingles, especially along ridges and edges. Granule loss can appear as bare patches and unusual grit buildup in gutters. An on-site assessment records what is visible and what still cannot be confirmed.

A contractor knocked on my door after the storm. Should I sign anything on the spot?

No. Storm-chasers — out-of-state crews who knock after a hailstorm, promise to absorb your deductible, and pressure a same-day signature on a contingency contract — are a known pattern in KC after every hail season. Absorbing a deductible is illegal in Missouri. A legitimate contractor will give you time to review the contract, will not need you to sign before your insurance adjuster has even been out, and will still be reachable months later when supplement or warranty work comes up.

What does Missouri § 407.725 actually require?

It prohibits a roofing contractor from advertising or promising to pay, waive, or rebate a homeowner's insurance deductible on a residential roofing job funded by an insurance claim. It exists because deductible absorption is a form of insurance fraud — it misrepresents the true cost of the loss to the insurer. We build every insurance-claim contract to include your deductible as a real line item you pay, and we attach a Hailstorm / Insurance-Claim Addendum that spells this out in plain language.

What happens if you find more damage once tear-off starts?

Tear-off is when the truth about decking, flashing, and hidden damage comes out. If we find code-required upgrades (ice-and-water shield, drip edge, ventilation) or storm damage that was not visible from the ground, we document it with photos and file a supplement with your insurer. Your insurer either approves it or does not — that is between you and your carrier. We do not install extra material and bill you for it without your sign-off in writing first.

Next useful step

Start with the storm date and the roof condition.

Send the address, storm date if known, visible damage, and any carrier paperwork you already have.

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