Wind damaged shingles: the 72-hour checklist for insurance

What to do, in order

1. Safety: no roof walks on steep or wet roofs. Drone, ladder at the eave, or binoculars from the yard.
2. Photograph everything before any repair: wide shots of the roof, close-ups of lifted/creased/missing shingles, plus date-stamped hail or debris context.
3. Tarps anything exposing wood: stretch past the damage, anchor with 2x4 battens — nail through the tarp never into good shingles alone.
4. Contain interior damage: photos of water stains, move valuables, buckets.
5. Call your insurer within 72 hours for a claim number, THEN get a reputable roofer's damage report to cross-check the adjuster.
6. Beware storm-chasers knocking door-to-door: verify license + insurance, never sign 'assignment of benefits' paperwork sight unseen.

Red flags — stop and call a pro

• Exposed roof deck or felt flapping — tarp immediately
• Water actively entering the living space
• Tree limbs on the roof — structural inspection before anyone walks it
• Contractor demanding full payment or deductible 'waivers' upfront — walk away

Prevention

Before storm season: replace any already-lifted shingles (they're the first to fly), trim branches within 10 feet of the roof, and check that ridge caps are properly nailed — inadequate nailing causes most wind failures.

This guide is maintained by the ee.ltd editorial team — reviewed for 2026. Browse all home repair guides or compare roofing costs.

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What this repair typically costs

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