A storm rolls through Metro Atlanta, Middle Georgia, or any of the dozens of communities Advanced Roofing and Interiors serves, and the next morning you are walking your property trying to figure out what happened to your roof. You can see shingles in the yard. There is debris on the surface. Water came in somewhere during the storm. The instinct is to call your insurance company immediately, but how you handle the first 24 to 48 hours after storm damage and every step that follows can significantly affect the outcome of your claim.
Georgia homeowners have real protections and real rights in the insurance claims process. Understanding the steps, the timeline, and the most common mistakes will help you move through the process confidently and get the coverage your policy provides.
Step One: Document Everything Before Touching Anything
Before any cleanup, temporary repairs, or phone calls to your insurer, document the damage thoroughly. Walk around the home from the ground and photograph everything you can see. Missing shingles, damaged gutters, debris on the roof, dented downspouts, and any visible interior water damage from ceiling stains, wet insulation, or attic leaks should all be captured with clear photos and video.
If possible, take photographs or video of the damage before making temporary repairs, and while temporary repairs are a good idea to prevent further damage, do not make permanent repairs before the damage is inspected because an insurance company may deny a claim if permanent repairs are made before the adjuster has seen the damage. Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire
Date and time stamps on your photos matter. If your phone automatically records this data in the file, that is useful. If not, note the date separately. Also record the date of the storm and any relevant weather information.
Step Two: Get a Professional Inspection Before Filing
This is the step many Georgia homeowners skip, and skipping it costs them money. A licensed roofing contractor can identify storm damage that is not visible from the ground, including damage to flashing, underlayment, decking, granule loss from hail impact, and areas where shingles appear intact but have had their adhesive seal broken by wind. That professional documentation is significantly more persuasive to an insurance adjuster than photographs taken by a homeowner.
Homeowners have the right to have their roofing contractor present during the adjuster’s inspection, and a contractor familiar with storm damage can point out damage the adjuster may overlook and advocate for a more accurate assessment, making it worthwhile to ask the adjuster to walk the roof with your contractor and take notes on everything discussed.
Advanced Roofing and Interiors provides free quotes and inspections for storm-damaged roofs throughout our service area. Our team is experienced in identifying the full scope of storm damage and in providing the documentation that supports a complete and accurate insurance claim. See the full list of communities we serve at advancedroofingandinteriors.com/service-areas.
Step Three: Review Your Policy Before You Call
Before contacting your insurer, pull out your homeowners policy and review the key coverage details. The most important distinction to understand is whether your policy covers Replacement Cost Value or Actual Cash Value.
Georgia homeowners should pay close attention to whether their policy provides Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost Value coverage, because ACV policies factor in depreciation meaning you may receive significantly less than the actual cost of a new roof, while RCV coverage provides the full cost to replace the damaged roof without deducting for age and wear.
Also review your deductible, and note that some policies have a separate and higher deductible specifically for wind or hail claims. Knowing this before you file prevents surprises when your settlement offer arrives.
Step Four: File Promptly
In Georgia, you generally have up to one year from the date of the storm or damage to file a claim, but it is best to file as soon as possible because delays can raise red flags with the insurance company and reduce the likelihood of a successful claim.
When you call to file, be prepared to provide the date and time of the storm, a description of the damage observed, your policy number, and whether there is any active interior damage such as leaks or ceiling stains. Request a claim number and keep it for all future correspondence related to the claim.
Step Five: Know Your Rights With the Adjuster
Once your claim is filed, your insurer will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. This visit is arguably the most important moment in the entire claims process. The scope of damage the adjuster documents determines the dollar value of your settlement.
Georgia homeowners are protected under the Georgia Insurance Code, which requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 15 days, prohibits adjusters from misrepresenting policy terms, and gives homeowners the right to appeal a denial or contact the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner for help if they feel their insurer is not acting fairly.
Do not accept a settlement that seems inconsistent with the damage documented in the inspection. If the first offer made by an insurance company does not meet your expectations, be prepared to negotiate to get a fair settlement, and if you have questions regarding the fairness of the settlement, seek professional advice before signing anything.
Step Six: Beware Storm Chasers
After a significant storm in Georgia, out-of-state or unlicensed contractors often flood the area soliciting quick repair contracts from homeowners who are still processing what happened. These operators, known as storm chasers, frequently pressure homeowners into signing agreements before a claim is even filed, use inferior materials, perform substandard work, and disappear before any warranty issues arise.
When choosing a roofing contractor after a storm, look for a licensed and insured company with a strong local reputation and documented experience working with insurance claims, and be cautious of contractors who show up immediately after a major storm and pressure homeowners into signing contracts before a claim is even filed.
Advanced Roofing and Interiors is a licensed, insured, family-owned company based in Barnesville and McDonough with more than 15 years of experience serving Georgia homeowners. We use no subcontractors, hold an A+ BBB rating, and are GAF certified. We do not chase storms. We serve the communities we live in. Learn more about who we are at advancedroofingandinteriors.com/about.
Getting Started After Storm Damage
If your roof has been damaged in a storm, the right first step is a free inspection from a contractor you can trust. Advanced Roofing and Interiors serves homeowners throughout Metro Atlanta, Barnesville, McDonough, Griffin, Newnan, Stockbridge, Conyers, Covington, Forsyth, Thomaston, Macon, and all surrounding communities. Visit advancedroofingandinteriors.com/service-areas to confirm we serve your area, and reach the team at advancedroofingandinteriors.com/about to learn more about the company behind the work.