How to File a Storm Damage Roof Claim in Evansville, IN

Severe weather is a fact of life in the Tri-State area. Evansville and the surrounding counties sit squarely in a corridor that sees hailstorms, straight-line winds, and the occasional tornado every spring and summer. When a storm rolls through and you suspect your roof took a hit, the next 48 hours matter more than most homeowners realize.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do — from the moment the storm passes to the day your new roof is installed — so you get the full payout you're entitled to and avoid the mistakes that cost homeowners thousands.

Before you climb anything, walk the perimeter of your home and look for obvious signs of damage from the ground:

• Missing or displaced shingles — bare patches or shingles in your yard
• Granule loss — dark streaks on shingles or a pile of granules in your gutters or downspout splash blocks
• Dented gutters and downspouts — hail that dents metal gutters almost certainly hit your shingles too
• Damaged fascia or soffit — wind-driven debris leaves marks on trim boards
• Broken skylights or damaged flashing — check around chimneys and vents

If you see any of these, do not wait. Indiana and Kentucky storms can produce hail large enough to crack shingles in a single pass, and the damage isn't always visible until water starts coming in.

Your insurance company will send an adjuster, and the more documentation you have, the stronger your claim. Here is what to capture:

1. Date and time of the storm — pull the National Weather Service storm report for Vanderburgh County or your county. This is public record and confirms the event.
2. Photos from the ground — shoot every side of the house, close-ups of gutters, downspouts, window screens, and any outdoor AC units (hail dents on AC fins are one of the strongest corroborating pieces of evidence adjusters look for).
3. Interior photos — if you have any ceiling stains, water intrusion, or attic damage, photograph those too.
4. Video walkthrough — a slow, steady video of the exterior is often more useful than still photos alone.

Do not make permanent repairs before the adjuster visits. Temporary tarping to prevent further water intrusion is fine — and your policy typically covers it — but replacing shingles before the adjuster sees the damage can complicate your claim.

Most homeowner policies require you to report damage "promptly." In practice, that means within a day or two of the storm. Call your insurer's claims line, give them the storm date, and ask for a claim number. Write it down.

What to tell them:

• Date and approximate time of the storm
• Type of damage (hail, wind, or both)
• Whether you have any active water intrusion

They will assign an adjuster and schedule an inspection, typically within 5–10 business days.

This is the step most Evansville homeowners skip — and it costs them.

A licensed roofing contractor who specializes in storm damage can identify damage that untrained eyes miss: bruised shingles that look fine from the ground but have lost their granule coating, cracked ridge caps, compromised flashing seals, and hail strikes on pipe boots. When you have a detailed written inspection report in hand before the adjuster shows up, you walk into that conversation with documentation rather than just a complaint. Our guide to the 7 signs of hail damage explains exactly what professionals look for on the roof.

At Rock's Roofs, our storm damage inspections are always free. We will give you a written report with photos you can hand directly to your adjuster.

Do not let the adjuster inspect alone. Walk the roof with them — or have your roofing contractor do it on your behalf. Adjusters are not always roofing experts, and damage can be missed, especially on low-slope sections or in valleys where hail strikes are harder to spot.

Key things to point out:

• Every area of granule loss you documented
• Any soft-metal damage (gutters, vents, flashing) that confirms hail size and impact
• Interior water staining that correlates with roof penetrations

If the adjuster's estimate comes in lower than your contractor's assessment, you have the right to request a re-inspection or invoke the appraisal clause in your policy.

Your insurance estimate will reference one of two valuation methods:

• ACV (Actual Cash Value) — pays the depreciated value of your old roof. If your roof was 15 years old, you may only receive a fraction of replacement cost.
• RCV (Replacement Cost Value) — pays the full cost to replace your roof with like materials. Most standard homeowner policies in Indiana are RCV policies.

If your policy is RCV, you typically receive an initial ACV payment, then a "recoverable depreciation" check after the work is completed and you submit the final invoice. Make sure you understand this two-payment structure so you are not caught short.

After every major storm in the Evansville area, out-of-state roofing crews flood the market. They offer fast turnarounds and low prices, but they are gone before the first leak shows up. Always verify:

• Indiana contractor's license (or Kentucky license for KY properties)
• Proof of general liability and workers' compensation insurance
• A local physical address and verifiable reviews
• Manufacturer certifications (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed)

Rock's Roofs is locally owned and operated in Evansville. We have been in the Tri-State area for years, and we will be here long after the storm chasers have moved on to the next disaster zone.

• Waiting too long to file — most policies have a 1-year window from the date of loss, but the sooner you file, the easier it is to document.
• Accepting the first estimate without review — adjusters can miss items. Always have a contractor review the scope of work.
• Signing an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) without reading it — some contractors ask you to sign over your insurance rights. Understand what you are signing.
• Making permanent repairs before the adjuster visits — document first, repair second.

If your Evansville home was hit by a recent storm, call Rock's Roofs at (812) 459-2139 for a free storm damage inspection. We will document the damage, walk you through the insurance process, and work directly with your adjuster to make sure nothing gets missed.

If the adjuster approves a full replacement, our roof replacement service page explains what the installation process looks like. And if you want to be better prepared for the next storm, our storm damage prevention guide covers the steps you can take now to reduce your risk.

Rock Solid Roofing Solutions — right here in Evansville, IN.