Good records after a hailstorm are simple: dated photos taken from the ground, a sense of scale in each one, saved receipts, and written notes of what you saw and when. This page is general education about record keeping. It is not a guide to starting a claim, and it does not tell you whether you should make one. To learn how to start, ask your agent, and read your policy.
Why does documentation matter?
Storm damage is easy to remember and hard to reconstruct. A week later the ice has melted, the leaves have moved and the details blur. A few clear photos and a short note taken soon after a storm give you, your agent, and any roofer you call the same set of facts to look at. Photos also help separate new damage from older wear, which matters on roofs that have been through more than one storm.
What is the safe way to take photos?
Stay on the ground. Do not climb a ladder or walk on the roof, and do not lean out windows to reach anything. Wet shingles, steep slopes and loose granules are a bad combination, and a phone zoom does a fine job from the yard. You can also look at the underside of the roof from the attic if it is safe to enter.
The checklist
| Item | What to capture | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Whole house, each side | One wide shot per elevation | Stand back far enough to see roofline and gutters |
| Gutters and downspouts | Dents, dings, loose pieces | Add a coin or ruler next to a ding for scale |
| Vents and metal on the roof | What you can see from the ground | Zoom in, do not climb |
| Windows, screens, siding | Cracks, dents, torn screens | Photograph the area, then a close-up |
| Outdoor items | Patio furniture, grill cover, car, fence | Soft metals often show dings clearly |
| Debris in the yard | Granules in downspout outlets, shingle pieces, hail on the ground | Place a common object beside hail for size |
| Interior | Ceiling or wall stains, attic wet spots | Include a wide shot and a close-up |
| Date and time | Phone timestamp turned on | Keep original files, do not edit |
What should I write down?
A short note is enough. Use your phone or paper.
- Date and approximate time of the storm, and what you noticed (sound, hail size by comparison to an object, wind).
- Where you saw damage, listed by area of the house.
- Anything you did right away, such as moving items or covering a window, with the time.
- Names and dates of anyone who looked at the property, and what they told you.
What about receipts?
If you spend money to keep the house safe after a storm, keep the receipts. Temporary covers, board-up supplies and similar items are examples. Whether any of them is reimbursable is a policy question, so ask your agent. Keep invoices and written estimates from any roofer in the same folder.
How does this connect to a roof inspection?
A roofer's inspection looks at the roof itself, including areas you cannot safely see. If you want to know what an inspection involves, read what happens at a roof inspection. To get a first sense of whether hail may have reached your roof, see how to tell if hail damaged my roof. If you want to check whether your area has had reported hail, our Oklahoma County hail history page shows preliminary public storm reports. Those reports are not a measurement of your own roof.
For planning before storm season, see our hail prep checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a step-by-step guide to filing a claim? No. This is about gathering records. How and whether to start a claim is between you and your agent, and policies differ.
Should I take photos from the roof? No. Ground-level and attic observation only. Never climb on a roof to document damage.
Do I need to keep damaged items? Ask your agent before you throw anything away. Photograph items first either way.
How soon after the storm should I take photos? The sooner the better, because conditions change fast. There is no value in guessing about deadlines here; your policy and agent are the source for any time limits.
What if I am not sure I see damage? That is common. Hail damage to shingles is often hard to read from the ground. Document what you see, and consider having a roofer inspect.
Can a roofer take the photos for me? A roofer can document the roof during an inspection and give you their own photos. Your own record from the day is still worth having.
Talk to us about your roof
If you would like a closer look at your roof after a storm, Total Roof Protection OKC can inspect it and explain what we find. Call 405-415-5841 to set a time. We report on the roof; we do not speak for your insurer or predict its decision.