Reviewed and approved by Samuel Corso, licensed Texas insurance agent.

Published July 10, 2026 · Updated October 1, 2026

How to file a hail or storm damage claim in Texas

Hail and windstorms can damage Texas homes. This guide walks through documenting the damage, the claim timelines the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) publishes, working with the adjuster, and the contractor warning signs TDI lists.

The short version: to file a hail or storm damage claim in Texas, TDI's hail damage tips say to take pictures and video, list the damage, prevent more damage, save receipts, and file as soon as you can. TDI's steps to getting a claim paid say the company then has 15 business days to say it got the claim and must pay within five business days of agreeing to pay all or part of it. A note on the same page, under the decision deadline, says TDI can extend these deadlines by 15 more days if there is a weather-related catastrophe.

This is not legal advice — it's a general overview to help you understand what to expect.

Step 1: Document the damage

Photos, video and a written list of the damage give you a record to work from. TDI's hail damage tips say to take pictures and video and to make a list of the damage inside and outside the house. The same page says: "Don't throw any damaged items away until your insurance company tells you."

Documenting comes first because the next steps change the scene. Once a tarp is on the roof or debris is cleared, your photos may be the only record of how the storm left things.

Cover the roof, siding, windows, gutters, outdoor equipment, and vehicles if applicable. Capture wide shots for extent and close-ups for detail, and note the date and time of the storm.

TDI also advises preventing more damage by removing standing water and covering broken windows and holes to keep rain out. It says to save all receipts, and that a policy may pay for temporary repairs.

Tip: if you have earlier photos of your property, include them for comparison.

Step 2: Review your policy and deductible

Your homeowners policy and its deductible set what a claim may pay, so read them before you call your insurer. Pull out the policy and check:

• Coverage limits. What's included (roof, structure, personal belongings)? TDI's roof guide says some policies pay up to the full cost to repair a roof at current prices (replacement cost coverage), and some pay less if the roof is older or showing wear (actual cash value coverage).
• Deductible. TDI's deductible guide says a deductible may be a dollar amount or a percentage, and gives an example in which a policy pays nothing because the repair cost is less than the deductible. TDI's roof guide suggests asking your agent whether the deductible for wind and hail damage is different from the deductible for other types of damage. See our full breakdown of how the wind and hail deductible works so you know what you may pay out of pocket.
• Exclusions. What the policy says it does not cover.

Checking this before you file means you already know your deductible when the company's estimate arrives. If you're unsure, call your insurer or agent for clarification.

Step 3: Contact your carrier promptly

Filing a claim means reporting the damage to your insurance company. TDI's hail damage tips say: "File an insurance claim as soon as you can if hail or strong winds damaged your home or car." TDI's steps to getting a claim paid says you can call the company, file a claim online, or use the company's mobile app. Have ready:

• Policy number
• Date/time of the storm
• Description of the damage
• Your documentation (photos/videos)

Ask about next steps, such as whether they'll send an adjuster or want repair estimates first.

The first deadline TDI describes comes at this point: "Your company has 15 business days to say it got your claim." TDI says the company must also start its review and ask you for any information it needs. After a hailstorm, read that deadline together with the note on the same TDI page: "TDI can extend these deadlines by 15 more days if there is a weather-related catastrophe."

Step 4: Prepare for the adjuster's visit

Your insurance company's adjuster may inspect the damage and estimates the claim payment. TDI's guide to working with an adjuster says the adjuster works for the insurance company paying the claim, reviews what happened, and estimates the claims payment. Damage nobody points out during the visit may be left out of the estimate. To prepare:

• Be present to point out all damage. TDI advises trying to be there when the adjuster inspects, to make sure nothing is missed.
• Provide your documentation and any receipts for temporary repairs.
• Get the adjuster's contact information, and ask when you should expect the insurance company's offer. TDI lists both as tips.

On timing, TDI's steps to getting a claim paid says: "Your company has 15 business days after getting what it needs from you to tell you if it will pay your claim." The page says the company can extend this deadline by 45 days if it tells you why it needs more time, and that TDI can extend these deadlines by 15 more days if there is a weather-related catastrophe.

Note: because the adjuster works for the insurance company, their assessment may differ from a contractor's estimate.

Step 5: Get independent repair estimates

A contractor's written estimate gives you a second figure to set beside the insurance adjuster's. TDI's pages give two numbers for how many to get. Its steps to getting a claim paid and its hail damage tips say more than one, and its page on avoiding contracting scams says getting at least three bids helps you decide which offers may be too high or too good to be true. The scams page also says bids should be on the company's letterhead with a phone number and an address.

TDI's steps page advises showing contractors the insurance company's estimate and talking to your insurance company about any differences, or about damage the contractor found that the adjuster didn't. Collecting estimates at this stage means you have them in hand when the company's offer arrives.

Warning: TDI's fraud tips for storm repairs include checking references, not paying in full up front, never signing a contract that has blank spaces, and avoiding contractors who offer to waive your deductible.

Step 6: Keep detailed records

Keep one file on your storm claim from the first call. TDI's hail damage tips recommend keeping a list of everyone you talk to at your insurance company, and its steps to getting a claim paid suggests taking notes on phone calls. Save everything else too: claim number and adjuster contact, all calls/emails with your insurer, contractor estimates and invoices, and receipts for temporary repairs (e.g., tarping a roof).

A dated record lets you answer a question, or support your position if you and your insurer disagree, without relying on memory.

Step 7: Review the settlement offer

The settlement offer is the insurance company's figure for your claim, and it is worth checking against your policy coverage, your contractor estimates, and your deductible. TDI's steps to getting a claim paid says the insurance company subtracts your deductible from the payment if you used your own insurance. For home claims with replacement cost coverage, that page says you might get two payments, the first for the estimated repair costs minus depreciation and the second after the repairs are done. TDI's roof guide describes the rest of the claim amount as sent after you've started repairs. The two TDI pages word the timing differently, so ask your insurance company when the second payment is released on your claim.

Read the first payment with that in mind. A first payment below your contractor's estimate may reflect the deductible and depreciation.

If you disagree with the adjuster's final estimate, TDI's page on what to do if your insurance isn't paying enough says to tell the company why and send supporting documentation, such as a contractor's estimate for the repairs. TDI says the company may have overlooked something and may make adjustments. If you still disagree, the same TDI page describes further options, including an appraisal process your policy may include and filing a complaint with TDI.

Once the company agrees, TDI's steps to getting a claim paid gives the payment deadline: "After your insurance company agrees to pay all or part of your claim, it must pay within five business days." A note on the same page, under the decision deadline, says TDI can extend these deadlines by 15 more days if there is a weather-related catastrophe.

Step 8: Proceed with repairs

Choosing a contractor comes after the settlement offer. TDI's guidance on contractors and deductibles is to use a local company, verify the contractor's local address and phone number, ask for references and check them, and be wary of contractors who go door to door looking for business. Schedule repairs promptly to help prevent further damage.

On the deductible, TDI's steps to getting a claim paid says: "You will owe that deductible to the contractor or body shop." TDI's hail damage tips say your insurance company may ask for proof that you paid your deductible, so keep that proof with your claim file. The same page advises holding back your final payment until the work is done.

If you're also rethinking your coverage

A claim can be a prompt to re-examine your Texas home insurance policy. If your claim experience, or a non-renewal notice, has you shopping, see our guide on what to do after a non-renewal, or compare independent agency vs. direct carriers to understand your options.

Key facts

• TDI on when to file. TDI's hail damage tips say to file a claim as soon as you can if hail or strong winds damaged your home or car.
• TDI on documenting. The same TDI page says to take pictures and video, list the damage, and not throw damaged items away until your insurance company tells you.
• TDI's claim deadlines. TDI's steps to getting a claim paid says the company has 15 business days to say it got the claim, 15 business days after getting what it needs from you to say whether it will pay, and five business days to pay after agreeing to pay all or part of the claim. The page says the company can extend the decision deadline by 45 days if it tells you why, and a note under that deadline says TDI can extend these deadlines by 15 more days if there is a weather-related catastrophe.
• TDI on deductibles. TDI's deductible guide says a deductible may be a dollar amount or a percentage.
• TDI on the adjuster. TDI's adjuster guide says the adjuster works for the insurance company paying the claim.
• TDI on bids. TDI's steps to getting a claim paid says to get estimates from more than one contractor. Its page on contracting scams says at least three bids.
• TDI on paying the contractor. TDI's steps to getting a claim paid says you will owe your deductible to the contractor, and its hail damage tips say the insurance company may ask for proof that you paid it.

Sources: Texas Department of Insurance: Hail damage to your home or car? What to do next., Steps to getting your home or car insurance claim paid, Working with an insurance adjuster, What to know about deductibles, Insurance and your roof, How to avoid contracting scams, Is it OK for a contractor to waive my deductible? and What if my insurance isn't paying enough?.

Take the next step

File promptly, document everything, and know your deductible. Those three habits can make a hail or storm damage claim in Texas easier to manage. And if this storm has you questioning your coverage, it may be worth comparing your options before your next renewal.

Get a second opinion on your policy — free. Credify is a licensed insurance agency in Texas that helps you compare home insurance from roughly 20 licensed Texas carriers, so you can see whether your wind and hail coverage and deductible fit your needs. It takes a few minutes, and there's no obligation. 📞 Talk to Credify 24/7.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. Always consult your insurer or a licensed professional for guidance specific to your situation.

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