The storm passes. You walk outside. There are shingles in the driveway, a tree limb on the roof, water spreading across your kitchen ceiling. Now what?
What you do in the next 48 hours determines whether your insurance claim sails through, gets reduced, or gets denied. It also determines how much additional damage occurs while you wait for repairs. Here's the playbook.
Hour 1: Make Sure Everyone's Safe
Before anything else, check for:
- Downed power lines (call DELMARVA Power immediately, do not approach)
- Gas leaks (smell gas? leave the house and call 911)
- Structural damage that could collapse (sagging ceilings, cracked walls, leaning trees)
- Standing water near electrical outlets
If your home isn't safe to enter, don't enter it. Stand outside, document with photos from a safe distance, and call your insurance company.
Hours 2 to 6: Document Everything
Insurance claims succeed or fail on documentation. Before you touch anything:
Photograph the damage:
- Take wide shots showing the whole property
- Take close-ups of every damaged area
- Get the roof from the ground (use binoculars or a phone zoom, do not climb up in unsafe conditions)
- Photograph debris in the yard before cleanup
- Capture water stains, soaked carpets, ruined possessions
- Time-stamp everything by emailing photos to yourself or saving them with date metadata
Make a list:
Write down every damaged item before you move or discard anything. Include estimated values for personal property. Insurance adjusters love specifics.
Save the weather report:
Screenshot the National Weather Service report for the date and time of the storm. This documents that real weather occurred, which matters for claims.
Hours 6 to 24: Stop the Bleeding
Insurance companies expect you to take "reasonable steps" to prevent additional damage. If you don't, they can deny coverage for damage that occurred after the initial event.
Reasonable steps include tarping a damaged roof, boarding up broken windows, removing standing water, shutting off water to a burst pipe, and moving undamaged belongings away from leak areas.
Save every receipt for materials and labor. Most of these costs are reimbursable through your claim.
If you can't safely tarp the roof yourself, call a local contractor for an emergency tarping service. Most charge $300 to $800 for a basic roof tarp. Refuse anyone offering "free" tarping in exchange for the repair contract. That's a tactic to lock you in before you've shopped the actual repair.
Hours 24 to 48: File the Claim
Call your homeowners insurance company. Most have 24/7 claim hotlines. Have ready your policy number, the date and time of the storm, a summary of damage, and your photos and documentation.
The insurance company will assign a claim number and an adjuster. The adjuster will contact you, usually within 1 to 5 days, to schedule an inspection.
In the meantime:
- Don't make permanent repairs yet (temporary fixes only)
- Don't sign any contractor contracts
- Don't agree to numbers verbally before they're in writing
When the Adjuster Arrives
The adjuster will inspect the damage, take measurements, and write a scope and estimate. A few important things to know:
- You have the right to have your own contractor present during the inspection
- Adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you
- Their initial scope often misses damage. That's normal, not malicious
- Disagreements get resolved through supplements and negotiations between the contractor and adjuster
This is why having a reputable local contractor on your side matters. They know how to spot damage adjusters miss, and they communicate in the technical language adjusters expect.
Choosing a Contractor (Carefully)
After a major storm, "storm chaser" contractors flood Delaware neighborhoods. They're often from out of state, working out of trucks, and gone within weeks. They typically:
- Knock on doors uninvited
- Pressure you to sign immediately
- Offer to "waive your deductible" (often illegal)
- Ask you to sign an Assignment of Benefits, which transfers your insurance rights to them
Don't sign anything in the days right after a storm. Take your time. Get quotes from established local contractors with verifiable references. The roof has to last 25 years. The decision shouldn't be made in a panic.
What Insurance Will (and Won't) Cover
Standard Delaware homeowners policies typically cover wind damage to roof and exterior, hail damage, water damage from storm-related leaks, damage from fallen trees, and reasonable temporary repairs (tarps, boarding).
Standard policies typically don't cover damage from gradual leaks (the "wear and tear" exclusion), damage from poor maintenance, cosmetic damage that doesn't affect function (in some policies), or mold remediation (often limited or excluded).
If your roof was already failing before the storm, the insurance company may try to deny the claim or reduce the payout. Documentation of the storm event and proof of recent maintenance help your case.
After the Repair
Once repairs are complete, keep all final receipts and warranties, save the contractor's documentation of work performed, update your home inventory, and consider whether your coverage was adequate. Adjust before next storm season.
Need Storm Damage Help Now?
At TB Home Improvements, we provide emergency tarping, fast roof repairs, and full storm damage restoration for Wilmington-area homeowners. We document every step, work directly with your insurance adjuster, and stand behind our work with written warranties.