Storm Damage & Insurance

When hail or high wind rolls through the St. Louis area, the damage is not always obvious from the driveway. Bruised shingles, cracked siding and dented gutters can let water in slowly for months before a stain shows up on a ceiling. RossBuilt inspects storm damage, documents it clearly and makes the repairs, whether the work is paid for by insurance or out of pocket.

What we do after a storm

• Free storm damage inspections of the roof, siding, gutters, windows and decks
• Photo documentation of every damaged area, with notes on what we found
• Emergency tarping and board-up to stop further water damage
• Detailed, itemized repair estimates you can share with your insurance company
• Meeting your adjuster on site, if you would like us there, to point out the damage we found
• Roof, siding, gutter, window and interior repairs once the scope is settled

How the process works

1. Stay safe and stop the water. If water is coming in, protect belongings and call us for a temporary tarp or board-up. Keep receipts for any emergency work.
2. Get an inspection. We walk the roof and the exterior and give you an honest read: real damage, minor wear, or nothing worth a claim.
3. Decide on a claim. If the damage is significant, you contact your insurance company to open a claim. It is your policy and your decision; we will tell you what we saw.
4. Adjuster visit. Your insurer sends an adjuster. We can be there to walk the roof with them and make sure nothing is missed.
5. Repairs. Once the scope is approved, we schedule the work and keep you updated through completion.

A note on our role: your insurance company and adjuster decide what the policy covers. We provide the inspection, documentation and repair estimate, and do the work. We do not act as your public adjuster, and we will never ask you to sign a contract on the spot.

Watch out for storm chasers

After big hail storms, out-of-town crews knock on doors across the metro. Some do fine work; many are gone before the first warranty question. Before you sign anything, look for a local address and phone number, ask for proof of insurance, get a written estimate and never pay the full amount up front. A local contractor will still be here next year if something needs attention.

Signs of hail and wind damage

• Shingles with dark spots where granules have been knocked off
• Creased, lifted or missing shingles after high winds
• Dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents and air conditioner fins
• Cracked or holed vinyl siding and chipped paint on trim
• Broken window glass or torn screens
• New water stains on ceilings or in the attic

Related services: roofing, siding and gutters.