Step One: Don’t Climb on the Roof Yourself
Wet shingles, broken decking, and electrical hazards make a storm-damaged roof one of the most dangerous places in your home. Take pictures from the ground, walk your yard for fallen branches and gutter debris, and check your attic for daylight or wet insulation. That is it. The roof inspection itself is our job. We use drones (Skydio + DJI) to capture insurance-grade aerial imagery without anyone setting foot on a compromised surface — and the photos are the same format your adjuster will accept.
Step Two: Schedule a Professional Inspection in the First 7 Days
Hail can bruise asphalt shingles in ways that are invisible from the ground. A “good-looking” roof from your driveway can have 40+ hail strikes per square that will leak in 6-18 months.
- Inspects within 24-48 hours of your call (post-storm we run 7-day-a-week schedules)
- Documents every strike with high-resolution drone photos
- Walks the roof on foot to check soft spots, flashing, and pipe boots
- Inspects the attic for daylight, water staining, or insulation damage
- Delivers a written report with photo evidence within 24 hours of inspection
Step Three: File Your Insurance Claim — But Wait for the Inspection First
Texas homeowner policies require you to report damage “promptly,” but there is a critical sequence:
- Get the inspection first. A 5-minute phone call to your insurer without evidence often locks you into a smaller scope than you deserve.
- Then file the claim with our written report and photos as your evidence package.
- Schedule the adjuster meeting for a date our team can attend with you.
Our crews meet your adjuster on the roof. We compare notes, point out missed damage, and document the scope agreed to in real time. This single step is the biggest reason JRH-handled claims pay out 20-40% more than homeowner-only claims, on average.
Step Four: Repair or Replace — The Honest Math
Repair (Best When)
- Damage is localized to one slope
- Roof is under 8 years old
- Insurance scope is for partial replacement only
- Total damaged area is under one square (100 sq ft)
Replace (Best When)
- Multiple slopes have hail damage
- Roof is over 12 years old
- Insurance carrier classifies as “total loss” or approves full RCV
- You would be patching shingles in three different shade-fades
If your Flower Mound roof can be saved, we will save it. If it cannot, we will show you exactly why it cannot and what the replacement looks like.
Step Five: Class 4 Impact-Resistant Upgrade — Worth It?
If you are replacing the roof anyway, this is the conversation to have. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles (GAF Timberline AS II, Malarkey Vista, etc.) cost roughly 8-12% more than standard architectural shingles, but:
- Most Texas insurance carriers offer a 10-30% premium discount for Class 4 roofs
- The premium discount typically pays back the upgrade cost in 3-5 years
- Hail damage in future storms is dramatically reduced
For a Flower Mound homeowner whose roof will face 5+ hailstorms over its life, Class 4 is almost always the right call.
Step Six: Pick a Master Elite Contractor — Not Just “GAF Certified”
There are three GAF tiers and only Master Elite contractors can write the Golden Pledge Limited Warranty (50 years material, 25 years workmanship). After a storm, the city floods with out-of-state “storm chasers” knocking doors with $500 deductible promises and questionable insurance. If you are going through the disruption of a roof replacement, get the warranty that actually means something. JRH Construction is one of the small handful of GAF Master Elite contractors operating in Denton County year-round.
What JRH Brings to a Flower Mound Storm Claim
- Same-week emergency tarp if your roof is leaking right now
- Drone-based damage documentation that adjusters trust
- Adjuster meeting attendance — we do not make you fight alone
- Supplement filing when initial scope is short
- Sarah, our 24/7 AI receptionist — call us at 3 AM after the storm and you will get a real conversation, not a voicemail
- GAF Master Elite installation with Golden Pledge warranty option
- Family-owned, locally operated in Denton County since 2019
FAQ
How long do I have to file an insurance claim after a hailstorm in Texas?
Most Texas homeowner policies require notification within one year of the date of loss, but the practical window is much shorter. Adjuster availability and the ability to clearly attribute damage to a specific storm both degrade fast. File within 30 days when you can.
Will filing a roof claim raise my insurance premium?
A single weather-related claim usually does not raise individual premiums in Texas, but it can affect your eligibility for certain discounts and at renewal. Multiple claims within 3-5 years can. We will talk through the math with you before you file.
What if my insurance denies my claim?
Do not take "no" as final. Many denied claims are reversed via supplements with proper documentation, second-opinion engineer reports, or appraisal. JRH has resolved hundreds of denied DFW claims successfully.
How fast can you tarp my roof?
Same-day in most cases when you call (469) 888-6903. Sarah triages and dispatches a crew. Emergency tarp service is free if we end up doing the repair or replacement.
Should I sign a contract with a storm chaser at my door?
No. Texas law requires roofing contracts to include a 3-day right of rescission, but storm chasers often pressure homeowners to sign before they understand what they are agreeing to. Get at least two local quotes before signing anything.
Get a Free Flower Mound Storm Damage Inspection
If your roof was hit by a recent storm, do not wait for leaks to appear.