Hail Damage Roof Repair in New Braunfels: The First 48 Hours

After a hailstorm, the first 48 hours matter. If you need hail damage roof repair, the smartest first move is not to panic and not to sign anything. Take clear photos and note the storm date, then have a local roofer do a free inspection before you call your insurer, so you know what you are actually dealing with. Book a free roof inspection

First, stay safe

A hail-struck roof can be slick and unstable, so stay off it. You can spot most warning signs from the ground or a window: dented gutters and downspouts, dented vents or flashing, and shingle granules collecting at the base of downspouts. Inside, check ceilings and the attic for fresh water stains or drips. If water is coming in, put a bucket down and photograph it.

Document the damage

Good documentation is what makes an insurance claim go smoothly. Within the first day or two, capture:

• Wide shots of the roof from the ground on every side of the house.
• Close-ups of dented gutters, downspouts, vents, flashing, and window screens.
• Dents on soft metal like the AC unit fins, which prove hail size and direction.
• Any interior stains, drips, or attic moisture.
• The date and rough time of the storm, and photos of hail on the ground if you can.

Keep receipts for any emergency work, like a tarp, since carriers often reimburse reasonable steps you take to prevent further damage.

Get a free inspection before you file

Before you open a claim, have a local roofer inspect the roof and show you photos of what they find. This tells you how serious the damage really is, whether it is worth claiming against your deductible, and gives you a documented starting point. A-Lert offers free, no-obligation inspections, and we have inspected Hill Country roofs after storms for more than 40 years. Book a free roof inspection

What a hail adjuster looks for

Knowing what an adjuster checks helps you understand your own roof. They look for functional damage, the kind that shortens a roof’s life, not just cosmetic marks:

• Bruises or soft spots on shingles, where a hit has fractured the mat underneath.
• Granule loss that exposes the black asphalt layer.
• Dents in metal components: gutters, vents, flashing, and roof caps.
• A pattern of hits dense enough across a test area to call for replacement rather than spot repair.

Watch out for storm-chasers

After a big storm, out-of-town crews flood the area. The pattern is familiar: a knock on the door, pressure to sign right away to start the claim, work done fast, and no one to call when a leak shows up two years later. Protect yourself with a few simple rules:

• Don’t sign anything on the first visit, especially a contract that assigns your insurance claim.
• Choose a local, established roofer you can find again next year.
• Ask for proof of insurance, references, and a written warranty.
• Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or pay your deductible, which is not legal in Texas.

If you are replacing the roof anyway, consider metal

Here is the part most homeowners miss. If your insurance is already paying to replace the roof, the claim is the moment to think about upgrading from shingles to standing seam metal, not years later. The extra cost to upgrade is often smaller than people expect, and a hail-resistant metal roof with a 20-year warranty means you may not be repeating this whole process after the next big storm. It is worth asking about while the decision is in front of you.

Frequently asked questions

Should I call a roofer or my insurance company first?

Call a local roofer for a free inspection first. Knowing the real extent of the damage helps you decide whether a claim makes sense and gives you documentation before you talk to your insurer.

How long do I have to file a hail damage claim in Texas?

It varies by policy, but many carriers set a deadline of about one year from the date of loss. Don’t wait; hidden damage tends to worsen and can be harder to attribute to a specific storm later.

Is hail damage always visible from the ground?

No. Bruising and granule loss can be subtle and easy to miss, which is exactly why a professional inspection matters even when the roof looks fine.

Will filing a hail claim raise my rates?

Weather and catastrophe claims are generally treated differently from at-fault claims, but it varies by carrier. Ask your insurer how a storm claim would affect your specific policy.

 

Book a free roof inspection or ask for a quote and let A-Lert tell you exactly where your roof stands.