What to Expect After a Hail Storm in St. Louis: A Step-by-Step Homeowner Timeline

When a hail storm hits your St. Louis neighborhood, the next 30 days determine whether you get a properly repaired roof covered by insurance or a drawn-out claims fight with mounting damage. The National Weather Service confirms St. Louis averages 3 to 5 significant hail events per year, and the path from storm to completed repair follows a predictable timeline. Here is exactly what to do and when, from the first hour through final inspection.

First 24 Hours: Document and Protect

Do not get on the roof. Wet, damaged roofs are extremely dangerous. Stay on the ground and photograph any visible damage: dented gutters, cracked siding, broken skylights, debris in the yard, and any shingles or roofing material on the ground. Photograph hail stones next to a coin or ruler for scale if they are still on the ground.

Check inside. Walk every room on the top floor. Look at ceilings and walls for new water stains, drips, or bubbling paint. Check the attic with a flashlight for daylight through the deck or active water intrusion. Photograph everything.

Mitigate further damage. If water is actively entering the home, place buckets and towels. If a section of roof is exposed, call a contractor for emergency tarping ($300 to $800). Most insurance policies require you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage — this is called your duty to mitigate. Keep receipts for any emergency expenses; they are typically reimbursable.

Days 2-7: Get a Professional Inspection and File Your Claim

Call a local roofing contractor. Schedule a professional roof inspection with a company that has a permanent St. Louis address, verified insurance, and manufacturer certifications. Do not use a storm chaser who knocked on your door. Family First Exteriors provides free storm damage inspections with photo documentation.

File your insurance claim. Call your carrier’s claims line or file online. You will need your policy number, date of the storm, description of damage, and your photos. Most Missouri policies require notification within 60 days of the event, but filing sooner is always better.

Request your contractor be present for the adjuster inspection. In Missouri, you have the right to have your roofing contractor on-site during the adjuster’s inspection. This dramatically reduces the chance of an under-scoped claim. The adjuster and contractor can walk the roof together and discuss scope in real time.

Weeks 2-4: Review the Scope and Schedule the Work

Your insurer will issue a Scope of Loss document — their estimate of the damage and what they will pay. Review it with your contractor. Common issues include missed damage, incorrect measurements, and excessive depreciation holdback on RCV policies. If the scope is inadequate, your contractor can file a supplement with additional documentation.

Once the scope is agreed upon, sign the contract and schedule the replacement. Lead times during storm season run 3 to 6 weeks. Your contractor should provide a detailed written scope listing every component.

Week 4+: Installation and Final Steps

A typical St. Louis roof replacement takes 1 to 3 days of installation. After completion, inspect the work before making the final payment. If you have an RCV policy, submit the final invoice to your carrier to release the recoverable depreciation holdback — this is the second check many homeowners forget to claim.

Frequently Asked Questions