A step-by-step guide from Wynne Roofing — your local Shreveport & Bossier City roofing experts
Shreveport and Bossier City get hit hard every spring and summer. Strong thunderstorms roll through Northwest Louisiana with little warning, carrying hail, high winds, and heavy rain that can do serious damage to your roof in a matter of minutes. If your home just went through one of those storms, this guide is for you.
We’ll walk you through exactly what to do after a hail or wind storm — from checking for immediate dangers to filing your insurance claim the right way. Acting fast and following the right steps can save you thousands of dollars and prevent small damage from turning into a major problem.
Step 1: Stay Safe & Don’t Go on the Roof Yourself
Right after a storm, your first instinct might be to climb up and check the damage. Don’t. Even a quick trip onto a wet or storm-damaged roof is dangerous, and you could make existing damage worse. Instead, do a safe ground-level check:
- Walk around the perimeter of your home and look up at all roof faces
- Look for missing, curled, or visibly torn shingles
- Check your gutters. Large amounts of granules (tiny sand-like particles) washing out are a sign of hail impact
- Look for dents on metal vents, flashing, or gutters. These are often the clearest signs of hail
- Check for debris like broken branches sitting on the roof surface
If you can see a tarp is needed to stop active leaking, call a professional immediately. Don’t attempt emergency tarping on your own.
Step 2: Check Inside Your Home for Leaks and Water Damage
Before you call a roofer, do a quick walkthrough of your home’s interior. Storm damage often shows up inside first, especially if you have an attic.
- Check ceilings in every room for new water stains or soft spots
- Look for wet spots on walls near the roofline
- If you have attic access, shine a flashlight up and look for wet insulation or daylight showing through
- Move furniture, valuables, or electronics away from areas showing signs of moisture
If water is actively coming in, place buckets and use towels to minimize damage to floors and walls. This “mitigating further damage” step is important for your insurance claim — your policy typically requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional loss.
Step 3: Document Everything Before Any Repairs Are Made
This is one of the most important steps homeowners skip — and it can make or break your insurance claim. Before anyone touches your roof, document the damage thoroughly.
- Take photos and videos of your roof from the ground on all sides
- Photograph any interior damage: ceiling stains, wet insulation, water on floors
- Note the date and time of the storm
- If hailstones are still on the ground or in gutters, photograph them next to a ruler or coin for size reference
- Save any damaged shingles or materials that have fallen to the ground — your adjuster may want to see them
Name your photo files with the date and damage type (for example: 2026-05-14_roof-north-face_missing-shingles.jpg). A well-organized file of photos makes the claims process significantly faster and reduces the chance of disputes.
Step 4: Call a Local Roofing Contractor for a Professional Inspection
Once it’s safe and you’ve documented the visible damage, your next call should be to a licensed local roofer — not your insurance company. Here’s why that order matters:
A professional roof inspection gives you an independent, expert assessment of all damage. This is especially important because hail damage is not always visible from the ground. Hail impacts can fracture shingles and loosen protective granules in ways that won’t cause a leak immediately but will significantly shorten your roof’s lifespan and lead to bigger problems within months.
Why get a roofer’s inspection BEFORE calling insurance?
Insurance adjusters represent the insurance company. A roofing contractor represents you. Having an independent inspection report in hand before your adjuster arrives means you have documentation of all damage — not just what the adjuster chooses to note.
At Wynne Roofing, we provide free storm damage inspections for Shreveport and Bossier City homeowners. We’ll give you a full written report you can use to support your claim.
Pro Tip: When choosing a contractor, make sure they are licensed in Louisiana and carry liability insurance. Be cautious of out-of-state storm chasers who flood the area after major weather events — they often disappear before warranty issues arise.
Step 5: File Your Homeowners Insurance Claim
Once you have your inspection report and documentation ready, contact your insurance company to open a claim. Here’s what to expect:
- Call your insurer’s claims line or log in to their online portal to start the process. Have your policy number, the storm date, and your documentation ready.
- Your insurer will assign an adjuster who will schedule a time to come inspect your roof. Request that your roofing contractor be present at this inspection — a reputable contractor will attend at no extra charge.
- The adjuster will assess the damage and determine what your policy covers. If you believe their assessment misses damage, you have the right to request a re-inspection.
- Once the claim is approved, you’ll receive a settlement offer. Review it alongside your contractor’s estimate before accepting.
- Work with your contractor to schedule repairs. In most cases, repairs should begin promptly — delays can lead to additional damage and may complicate your claim.
Louisiana homeowners should be aware that state insurance law requires your insurer to acknowledge your claim quickly and make a decision within a reasonable timeframe. If you feel your claim is being unfairly delayed or denied, you can contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance for guidance.
What Does Hail Damage Actually Look Like on a Roof?
Many homeowners assume their roof is fine because there are no active leaks after a storm. Unfortunately, hail damage often doesn’t cause immediate leaking — it causes gradual deterioration that leads to expensive problems months later.
Here’s what professional inspectors look for after a hail event:
On asphalt shingles:
- Dark circular impact marks or “bruising” where the granule surface has been knocked away
- Soft spots that feel spongy when pressed (the fiberglass mat beneath the granules has been fractured)
- Exposed black substrate where granules have been stripped in a circular pattern
- Shiny or balding patches that catch light differently than the rest of the shingle
On gutters and metal components:
- Circular dents or dings on gutters, downspouts, and metal flashing
- Dents on metal ridge caps or drip edge
- Damage on HVAC units, satellite dishes, or vents near the roofline is often a reliable indicator that hail was large enough to damage shingles
Wind damage signs:
- Missing shingles or sections where shingles have lifted or peeled back
- Creased or folded shingles along the leading edge
- Lifted or separated flashing at chimneys, valleys, or vents
- Debris impact damage: branches, limbs, or other materials that have punctured or scraped the surface
How Quickly Should You Act After Storm Damage?
Time matters more than most homeowners realize. Here’s why you should move quickly:
- Insurance policies typically require you to report damage “promptly” — waiting too long can give your insurer grounds to reduce or deny your claim
- Minor damage left unaddressed tends to compound rapidly, especially during Shreveport’s rainy season
- Roofing contractors get booked fast after large storm events — the sooner you call, the sooner you get on the schedule
- If temporary tarping is needed to prevent water intrusion, delays can lead to interior mold and structural damage that may not be covered under your roof policy
Our general recommendation: do your safe ground-level check and interior walkthrough the same day as the storm. Call for a professional inspection within 48 to 72 hours. Don’t wait to see if a leak develops.
Get a Free Storm Damage Roof Inspection in Shreveport or Bossier City
Wynne Roofing has been serving homeowners across Shreveport, Bossier City, and Northwest Louisiana with honest, professional roofing service. We handle everything from free post-storm inspections to full roof replacements.
If your home was in the path of a recent hail or wind storm, don’t wait to find out if there’s damage. A free inspection costs you nothing and gives you the information you need to make smart decisions about your home. Contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover hail and wind damage in Louisiana?
In most cases, yes — standard homeowners insurance policies in Louisiana cover sudden storm damage including hail and wind. However, coverage can vary depending on your policy type (replacement cost value vs. actual cash value), your deductible, and your roof’s age and condition. Review your policy carefully and ask your roofing contractor to review the adjuster’s estimate with you before you accept a settlement.
My roof isn’t leaking. Do I still need an inspection?
Yes. Hail damage in particular rarely causes immediate leaks. The damage to the granule layer and fiberglass mat causes gradual deterioration — shingles that look fine from the ground may be compromised and will fail much sooner than expected. A professional inspection after any significant hail event is worth the time even if everything looks okay from the outside.
How do I know if the damage is worth filing a claim?
Get the inspection first, then decide. A reputable contractor will give you an honest assessment of the scope of damage and whether it’s likely to meet your deductible. Filing a claim is generally worth it for storm damage that would cost $2,000 or more to repair — but the math depends on your specific deductible and policy terms.
Can I get temporary repairs done before the adjuster comes?
Yes, and your policy likely requires you to take steps to prevent additional damage. Emergency tarping or board-up work is typically covered under your claim. Just make sure you document the original damage thoroughly with photos and videos before any temporary repairs are made, and save any damaged materials for the adjuster to inspect.
How do I find a trustworthy roofing contractor after a storm?
Stick with licensed, local contractors who have established roots in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Be cautious of door-to-door solicitors who appear immediately after storms — these “storm chasers” often lack local licensing, carry minimal insurance, and move on after taking deposits. Ask to see a Louisiana contractor’s license number, verify their insurance, and check Google reviews and the Better Business Bureau before signing anything.