1. Stay Safe
Do not climb on a damaged roof — wet, torn roofing is treacherous. Watch for downed power lines. If a tree came through the roof, stay out of the affected rooms until the structure is checked.
2. Document Everything
Photos from the ground: missing or lifted shingles, fallen limbs, dented gutters and vents, debris in the yard. Inside: water stains, drips, wet insulation. Write down the storm's date and time. This documentation is the foundation of any insurance claim.
3. Stop the Water
Buckets under drips, move valuables and electronics away from leak paths. If water is actively coming in, call for emergency tarping — do not wait for the next rain band. Tarping costs are often reimbursable under your policy.
4. Call Your Insurance
File promptly and write down your claim number. Ask two questions: what is my deductible, and do I have ACV or replacement-cost coverage? The answers shape every decision after this.
5. Get a Professional Assessment Before the Adjuster
Have a roofer inspect and document all damage before the adjuster arrives. Photos from the roof surface show bruised shingles and lifted flashing that ground photos miss. We can meet the adjuster on-site — documented, professional assessments get fairer scopes.
6. Do Not Sign Anything Under Pressure
After every Baltimore hail or wind event, door-knockers flood neighborhoods from Essex to Catonsville. Out-of-state plates, "we were just doing your neighbor's roof," pressure to sign today — walk away. A local company will still be here in a year when you need warranty work.
Baltimore's Usual Suspects
Know what hits us: summer thunderstorm cells with 60-plus mph gusts that peel shingles and throw limbs; hail events that bruise shingles across whole zip codes; tropical remnants pushing up the Chesapeake with sustained wind and sideways rain; winter ice that pries at flashing and rips gutters. Each damages roofs differently — which is why a professional inspection matters more than a glance from the driveway.