Storm Preparedness Guide — Protect Your Roof Before, During, and After the Storm
Most storm damage isn’t inevitable — but the financial damage that follows often is.
Missed inspection windows, incomplete documentation, and delayed claims cost Oklahoma homeowners thousands every storm season. This guide covers what to do at each stage so you’re protected when it matters.
⚠️ Oklahoma sees severe hail and wind events every year. Every stage of this guide has a direct impact on your roof’s condition — and your insurance claim’s outcome.
PART 1 — BEFORE THE STORM
Before the Storm — What to Do Now
Get a Professional Roof Inspection
If your roof hasn’t been professionally inspected in the past 12 months, schedule one before storm season.
Why it matters:
An inspection establishes your roof’s pre-storm condition with dated documentation. If you file a claim after a storm, that documentation proves your damage is new — not pre-existing.
Know Your Insurance Policy
Before storm season, pull your homeowners policy and confirm:
- Coverage type: RCV (Replacement Cost Value) or ACV (Actual Cash Value)
- Your deductible amount
- Whether your policy has a separate wind/hail deductible
- Your carrier’s notification window for storm damage claims
If you don’t know whether your policy is RCV or ACV, call your insurance agent and ask directly. This one question can mean the difference between a full payout and a significantly reduced one.
Clear Your Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters during a storm force water back under shingles and against fascia boards — accelerating damage that your insurance company may classify as maintenance neglect rather than storm damage.
Trim Trees Near Your Roofline
Overhanging branches can cause direct impact damage during wind events — and falling limbs create claims that may be treated differently depending on your policy. Address them before the season.
Document Your Roof's Current Condition
Take or request dated photos of your roof before storm season begins. If 5Coat has inspected your roof, you already have a 5Coat Evidence Report — that’s your baseline documentation.
What this means for you:
A pre-storm inspection is your strongest protection against a carrier classifying new damage as pre-existing.
PART 2 — DURING THE STORM
During the Storm — What to Do (and Not Do)
If your roof hasn’t been professionally inspected in the past 12 months, schedule one before storm season.
Stay Inside
Do not go outside to assess damage while the storm is active. Hail, lightning, and wind debris are serious hazards.
Watch for Interior Signs
While you wait out the storm, watch for:
- Water dripping or staining on ceilings
- Sounds of impact on the roof surface — particularly loud or irregular impacts during hail
- Any sudden changes in attic temperature or visible daylight through attic boards
PART 3 — IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE STORM
Immediately After the Storm — The First 24–48 Hours
The actions you take in the first 48 hours after a storm directly affect your insurance claim.
Step 1 — Stay Safe
Before going outside, check for downed power lines, standing water, exposed nails, and unstable debris. Do not climb on your roof.
Step 2 — Document Visible Damage
Walk the perimeter of your home and photograph everything you can safely see:
- Dents on gutters, downspouts, A/C unit, and metal flashing
- Missing, lifted, or visibly cracked shingles
- Granules pooled at downspout exits
- Damage to siding, soffit, fascia, or windows
- Any interior water stains or ceiling damage
Step 3 — Avoid Major Repairs Before a Professional Inspection
Minor protective measures — covering a broken window, placing buckets under an active drip — are fine. Do not begin significant roofing repairs before your carrier’s adjuster has assessed the damage.
Completing major repairs before an inspection can void your ability to claim. Preserve the damage for documentation.
Step 4 — Schedule a Professional Inspection Immediately
Call 5Coat for a roof inspection before you contact your insurance carrier. Getting inspection documentation first puts you in control of the claim process — not your carrier.
5Coat provides drone imagery, on-roof climber inspection, a detailed Evidence Report, and verified weather reports — everything your adjuster needs.
Step 5 — Notify Your Carrier Promptly
Once you have your inspection report, contact your carrier. Most policies require notification within 6–12 months of the storm event — even under Oklahoma’s 24-month HB3495 window.
⚠️ Don’t wait to notify your carrier. Even with HB3495’s 24-month legal window, your carrier’s internal deadline may be much shorter. Missing it can reduce your payout significantly.
PART 4 — AFTER THE INSPECTION
After the Inspection — Protecting Your Claim
Once you have your 5Coat inspection report in hand, you’re in the strongest possible position to file.
- Bryan reviews your RCV/ACV status, deductible, depreciation terms, and filing deadlines before you involve your carrier
- 5Coat is available to be present during your adjuster visit
- We identify supplement opportunities if the initial estimate is incomplete
- Final invoice submission triggers your recoverable depreciation release (RCV policies)
For the full claim process walkthrough, see the Insurance Claim Checklist →
5Coat Roofing & Construction
Owner-Operated Roofing & Exterior Services
Service Area
Oklahoma City & Surrounding Communities
(405) 992-2194
bryan@5coatroofs.com
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Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
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