A storm hit. Now you are wondering what the next call should be, how long any of this is going to take, and whether you are about to make a mistake that costs you your insurance claim. This guide walks you through every phase from the first 24 hours through the final depreciation check, including the inspection, adjuster visit, and replacement itself. By the end, you will know exactly what to expect and in what order.
TLDR: After a storm hits your roof in Springfield, the right sequence is document first, call a local roofer for a free inspection, then file your insurance claim with that documentation in hand. Most Missouri claims close within 2 to 8 weeks. Filing windows are typically 6 to 12 months but some carriers require notice within 60 days. Acting early protects your claim and your roof.
You heard the hail hit. Maybe you saw a shingle in the yard the next morning, or a stain showed up on the ceiling a week later when it rained again. Either way, your roof is on your mind now and the questions are stacking up. Do you call the insurance company first, or a roofer? What if a fly-by-night storm chaser knocks on your door before you figure that out? What happens if you say the wrong thing on the phone with your insurer?
The Springfield area sees real storm activity. The NWS Springfield severe weather climatology documents about 10 tornadoes per year in the County Warning Area, with April the highest month for both tornadoes and significant hail events. The Greene County NWS Hazard Book records hail up to 3 inches in diameter in the county.
This guide gives you the full process, in order, so the next call you make is the right one.
The Six Phases of Storm Damage Roof Repair in Southwest Missouri
Most Missouri homeowners go through six distinct phases between the storm event and a fully closed claim. Understanding the phases ahead of time takes most of the stress out of the process. Timing varies based on storm size, carrier backlog, and documentation quality, but the sequence does not change.
| Phase | What Happens | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Storm event and ground-level assessment | Hours 0 to 24 |
| Phase 2 | Professional inspection and documentation | Days 1 to 3 |
| Phase 3 | Filing the claim with your insurer | Days 2 to 5 |
| Phase 4 | Adjuster inspection and settlement | Days 7 to 21 |
| Phase 5 | Construction and permits | Weeks 3 to 8 |
| Phase 6 | Depreciation release and final payment | After final invoices submitted |
Well-documented claims move faster than reactive ones. The work you put in during the first three days affects everything that follows.
Phase 1: The First 24 Hours After the Storm
Stay Safe and Do a Ground-Level Check Only
Stay off the roof. Walk the perimeter and look up using binoculars if helpful. Look for missing or curled shingles, sagging rooflines, fallen branches, and bent flashing. Inside gutters and at downspout bases, look for shingle granules that look like coarse sand. Heavy granule loss is a strong signal the surface took a hit.
What you cannot see from the ground is hail bruising on shingles, dark circular spots where granules have been knocked off. From a safe distance, this damage is essentially invisible, which is why a professional inspection comes next even if your ground check turned up nothing dramatic.
Temporary Protection If There Is Active Leaking
If water is actively entering the home, place buckets, move valuables, and cover anything you cannot move with plastic sheeting. If you can see a hole or a section of missing shingles, call us at 417-883-7663 for emergency roof repair. Our team responds 24/7.
Your insurance policy includes a “duty to mitigate” clause requiring you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. If you let an active leak run for two weeks without trying to stop it, your insurer can reduce or deny the resulting interior damage claim. Emergency tarping is the standard way to meet this requirement.
Document Before Anything Is Touched
Photograph and video everything before you move debris or attempt cleanup. Shoot wide and close angles of the roof, gutters, downspouts, vents, AC condenser fins, siding, and any debris. Time-stamped photos are best. Pull the official storm record from the NWS Springfield homepage and save the date. This ties your claim to a verifiable weather event.
Pro Tip: Photograph the soft metal surfaces first, the gutters, AC fins, and vent caps. Adjusters use dents on these surfaces as independent evidence of hail size. If those metals get bent back, replaced, or cleaned before the adjuster arrives, you lose critical proof.
Phase 2: Getting a Professional Inspection Before You Call Your Insurer
Most homeowners call their insurance company first and the roofer second. The better order is the reverse. A professional inspection before you involve your insurer creates an independent baseline of damage that becomes the foundation for your entire claim.
Why the Inspection Comes Before the Claim
When you file with documentation in hand, you are submitting facts. When you file without it, you are submitting impressions, and impressions get negotiated down. If the adjuster’s inspection misses a damaged area, your contractor’s pre-existing report is your evidence. That distinction matters when supplements are submitted later.
What Teague Roofing Plus Looks for During a Damage Inspection
Our inspection covers the full roof slope by slope, not just the side where damage is most obvious. We document granule loss patterns and bruising, every flashing point, ridge cap and valley conditions, vent and pipe boot integrity, any decking exposure, and any gutter or AC unit dents that confirm hail size. We also check the attic when accessible.
A free roof inspection costs you nothing. With over 5,000 roofs completed across the region since 1971, our team knows what legitimate hail and wind damage looks like compared to normal aging.
The Documentation Package You Want Before Filing
After the inspection, your package includes a written inspection report, photos of every damage point and slope, NWS storm date confirmation, and an initial scope of repairs. With that ready, the call to your insurer becomes a focused, factual conversation.
Pro Tip: Ask your inspector to photograph every slope, not just the most damaged side. Adjusters routinely walk all slopes, and matching documentation across the whole roof protects you if they identify something your contractor did not flag.
Phase 3: Filing the Claim the Right Way
What Missouri Homeowners Need to Know About Claim Deadlines
Missouri does not enforce a statewide deadline, but most policies require filing within 6 to 12 months of the storm date, and many carriers set internal deadlines as short as 60 days. The “date of loss” is the storm date, not when you noticed damage. File promptly. Even within your policy window, waiting creates risk because tying your damage to a specific storm gets harder over time.
What to Include When You File
Have your policy number, storm date, factual damage description, photos, written inspection report, and NWS storm event confirmation ready. Most carriers accept documentation by email or portal. Submit the full package up front rather than feeding it in piece by piece.
What to Say, and What Not to Say, to Your Insurer
Stick to facts. State the storm date, what you observed, and that you have had a professional inspection. Do not estimate scope or speculate about cause. Do not agree to a settlement amount over the phone, and do not let yourself be rushed.
| Say This | Not This |
|---|---|
| “A storm occurred on [date] and I had a professional inspection” | “I think the hail might have damaged a few shingles” |
| “I have written documentation and photos ready to submit” | “It doesn’t look that bad but I wanted to report it” |
| “My contractor will be available to meet the adjuster on site” | “I can just send you pictures if that’s easier” |
| “I’d like to review the full scope before signing anything” | “Whatever you think is fair is fine with me” |
Be factual, documented, and clear. Let the paperwork do the persuading.
Pro Tip: Save the name, direct phone number, and claim number of every person you speak with at your insurance company. Write down the time and date of every call and a one-line note about what was discussed. This log matters if there is ever a dispute about what was said.
Phase 4: The Adjuster Inspection and Why You Want Teague There
After you file, your insurer assigns an adjuster, who schedules a property inspection and produces a scope-of-loss document. This typically occurs 7 to 21 days after filing depending on storm severity and carrier backlog. This is the most important step in the process, and the one where homeowners most often lose money by going it alone.
What Insurance Adjusters Are Actually Looking For
Adjusters use a standardized methodology. They typically test 10 by 10 foot squares on each slope, counting hail hit density. They evaluate granule displacement, the difference between functional damage (usually covered) and cosmetic damage (sometimes not), flashing and ridge cap condition, and roof age. They are trained professionals, but they are working for the insurance company.
| Damage Type | What It Looks Like | Typically Covered? |
|---|---|---|
| Hail bruising on shingles | Dark circular spots with granules knocked off; soft area beneath | Yes, when functional damage is documented |
| Wind-lifted shingle edges | Tabs unsealed or missing across one or more slopes | Yes, when tied to a documented storm event |
| Functional flashing damage | Bent, cracked, or separated flashing causing leak risk | Yes |
| Cosmetic-only metal dents | Dents on gutters or vent caps that do not affect performance | Sometimes excluded; varies by policy |
| Long-term granule loss from age | Even, gradual surface wear with no storm tie | No, treated as normal wear |
Why Having Your Contractor on Site Changes the Outcome
Missouri homeowners have the right to have their contractor present during the adjuster inspection. Our insurance claim assistance service includes attending on site at no extra charge. Our team speaks the same technical language as adjusters, points out damage that might be overlooked, and discusses scope in real time. This consistently produces better outcomes.
What Happens After the Adjuster Leaves
The adjuster produces a scope-of-loss document listing every covered item and proposed payment. Review it carefully with your contractor before signing. If the contractor’s scope and adjuster’s scope do not match, your contractor can submit a supplement with additional documentation. Supplementing is common, legal, and an established part of the process.
| What Your Contractor Checks the Adjuster’s Scope For |
|---|
| Missing line items such as ridge cap, drip edge, ice and water shield, or starter strip |
| Incorrect roof measurements or square footage calculations |
| Code upgrade requirements not included, which Springfield and surrounding municipalities require under the 2021 IBC/IRC |
| Overlooked damage on secondary slopes or low-visibility areas |
| Incorrect depreciation applied to materials or labor categories |
A missing line item is not always intentional. Catching it before you sign is the difference between a complete job and one you pay out of pocket.
Pro Tip: Do not sign the scope-of-loss document at the kitchen table while the adjuster is still on site. Take it, review it with your contractor, and respond afterward. Reputable adjusters expect this. Pressure to sign immediately is a warning sign.
Phase 5: Construction, Permits, and the Replacement Itself
Permits, Who Handles Them, and Why It Matters
In Springfield and surrounding municipalities, permits are required for full roof replacements and tear-offs. The City of Springfield enforces the 2021 IBC/IRC. Teague Roofing Plus handles every permit on every job. You never deal with the permit office. Unpermitted work can void warranties, create insurance complications, and become a problem at resale.
What Happens the Day of Installation
The crew arrives with materials and protective coverings. Landscaping, vehicles, AC units, and pool covers all get protected. Old shingles come off and the decking gets inspected for soft spots, rot, or water-compromised OSB. New underlayment goes down with ice and water shield in vulnerable areas. Then new shingles, flashing, ridge cap, and edge metal install per manufacturer specifications.
A typical residential full replacement takes 1 to 3 days depending on roof size and complexity. Josh Tessmer is present on job sites as a standard part of how the company runs. Our roof replacement team manages the timeline from material order through final cleanup.
The Shingle Conversation: Why Teague Recommends Owens Corning Class 4
The Springfield area sees frequent on-the-ground hail reports throughout storm season, with hail in Greene County recorded up to 3 inches in diameter according to NWS data. The replacement conversation is almost always also an upgrade conversation. Class 4 impact-resistant Owens Corning shingles use a reinforced mat and stronger granule adhesion designed to resist the hail SW Missouri produces. They cost more upfront than standard architectural shingles but hold up significantly better.
Teague Roofing Plus is an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, held by less than 1% of roofers nationally, which qualifies us for enhanced warranty options. Some Missouri carriers offer premium discounts for Class 4 shingles. Worth asking your agent during the estimate.
Pro Tip: When the installer tears off the old shingles, ask the crew lead to walk you through the decking condition before the new layers go down. Soft spots, rotted sheathing, and water-compromised OSB are common on older SW Missouri roofs and far simpler to address during replacement than later. Our team flags and documents any decking issues during the job.
Phase 6: Depreciation Release and Closing the Claim
If your homeowners policy is a Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policy, your settlement comes in two parts. The second is often substantial, and homeowners who do not understand the process sometimes leave it on the table.
ACV First, Depreciation Released After Completion
Most standard Missouri RCV policies first pay Actual Cash Value (ACV), which is the replacement cost minus depreciation for roof age. After the work is completed and you submit the final invoice, the carrier releases the “recoverable depreciation” as a second payment. This often makes up a significant portion of the total settlement, especially on older roofs.
What to Submit to Get the Second Check
To trigger the depreciation release, submit the final invoice from your contractor, photos of the completed work, and any permit documentation. Your contractor has all of this. Submit directly to the claims department on your settlement paperwork. If you do not receive a response within 10 to 14 business days, follow up in writing with your claim number. Missouri does not have a state-mandated payment timeframe, so persistence matters when there are delays.
ACV Policies, What to Know
If your policy pays Actual Cash Value only, there is no second check. You receive one settlement based on the depreciated value of the roof at time of loss. This is a strong reason to review your policy before storm season rather than after.
Pro Tip: Review your policy declarations page at the start of every storm season. Check whether your roof coverage is RCV or ACV, what your wind/hail deductible is, and whether there are any age-based settlement caps. These details change how a future claim will play out.
SW Missouri Storm Season: Why Timing Matters for Your Claim
Peak severe weather season in the Springfield area runs April through June, with April the highest month. A secondary storm season follows September through November. Missouri averages approximately 50 tornadoes per year statewide; the Springfield CWA accounts for about 10.
Claim backlogs spike immediately after major storm events that hit multiple counties at once. Adjuster availability tightens, contractor schedules fill up, and the gap between filing and inspection extends. Filing early and documenting well puts you ahead of the rush.
Illustrative scenario: A homeowner in Nixa heard hail come through on a Saturday night in late April. The next morning she walked the yard, found shingle pieces near the back fence, and noticed dents on the chimney flashing. She photographed everything before moving anything and called Teague before contacting her insurance company. Our team came out two days later, walked all four slopes, documented hail bruising on the south and west exposures, and put together a written report with the NWS storm date. She filed her claim the next day. The adjuster came out 11 days later, our team met on site, and we caught two missing line items in the initial scope. The carrier approved the supplement within a week. The replacement was completed in two days using Owens Corning Class 4 shingles, and the depreciation release arrived about three weeks after final invoice. Total time from storm to closed claim: about five weeks.
Pro Tip: If a major storm hits multiple counties at once, call for your inspection within 48 hours. Local contractor schedules fill rapidly after large events, and getting on the calendar early can mean the difference between a 2-week and a 6-week wait.
Step-by-Step Action Plan: What to Do After a Storm Hits Your Roof
- Stay off the roof and do a safe ground-level inspection within the first 24 hours. Walk the perimeter and note shingles in the yard or granules at downspouts.
- Document everything with photos and video before touching anything. Capture wide and close shots of the roof, gutters, vents, AC unit, and any debris.
- Call us for a free professional inspection before contacting your insurer. Reach our team at 417-883-7663. Independent documentation becomes the foundation for your claim.
- Pull the official NWS storm record for the date. This ties your claim to a verifiable weather event.
- File your claim with your contractor’s documentation in hand. Stick to factual statements; let the paperwork carry the scope.
- Schedule the adjuster inspection and confirm Teague will be present. Our team meets adjusters on site at no extra charge.
- Review the adjuster’s scope with your contractor before signing. Missing line items are common and often correctable through a supplement.
- After construction, submit the final invoice to unlock the depreciation release on RCV policies. This second payment is often substantial.
Pro Tip: Print this action plan and keep it with your homeowners policy declarations page. When a storm actually hits, you will not have to remember the order, just open the file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I call my insurance company or my roofer first?
Call your roofer first. A free inspection before you involve your insurer creates independent documentation that becomes the foundation for your claim. If you have an active leak that cannot wait, our emergency roof repair team responds 24/7.
How long do I have to file a roof insurance claim in Missouri?
Missouri does not have a statewide deadline, but most policies require filing within 6 to 12 months of the storm date, and many carriers set internal requirements as short as 60 days. The date of loss is the storm date, not when you noticed damage. File as soon as you have your inspection documentation.
What if I did not notice the damage until months after the storm?
This happens regularly because hail damage often does not produce immediate leaks. Document the current condition, identify the storm event using NWS records, and get a professional inspection that ties damage patterns to that event. The claim is still worth filing within the policy window, though insurers may scrutinize delayed reports more carefully.
Do I need to be home when the insurance adjuster comes?
Yes, and so should your contractor. Our team meets adjusters on site as a standard part of insurance claim assistance at no extra charge. Both perspectives in the same conversation almost always produce a more complete scope of loss.
What if the adjuster says the damage is just cosmetic?
Cosmetic damage like dents that do not affect performance is sometimes excluded from coverage. Functional damage like cracked shingles that compromise watertightness is typically covered. If the adjuster’s assessment classifies functional damage as cosmetic, your contractor can challenge that classification through the supplement process.
How long does a full roof replacement take?
For a typical residential roof in the Springfield area, a full replacement takes 1 to 3 days depending on size, pitch, complexity, and weather. Larger or more complex roofs run longer. Our roof replacement team confirms the schedule before the crew arrives.
What is recoverable depreciation and how do I get it?
On an RCV policy, your insurer first pays Actual Cash Value (replacement cost minus depreciation). After completion, when you submit the final invoice with photos and permit documentation, the carrier releases the depreciation as a second payment. If your policy is ACV rather than RCV, there is no second payment.
What is the difference between Class 3 and Class 4 shingles after a hail storm?
Class 3 and Class 4 are impact resistance ratings, with Class 4 the highest. In SW Missouri’s hail environment, Class 4 shingles consistently show less functional damage in inspections after major storm events. The upfront cost is higher but the performance difference is meaningful over the roof’s lifespan.
Can a storm damage my roof without leaving obvious signs?
Yes, and this is why claims get filed late. Hail can bruise shingles, crack the protective mat, or knock granules loose without producing any leak that shows up immediately. A professional inspection is the only reliable way to confirm.
What happens if the insurance company and my contractor disagree on the scope?
Your contractor submits a supplement with additional documentation, and the carrier reviews and either approves, partially approves, or requests more information. Most supplements resolve through this back-and-forth without escalation. If disagreement persists, your policy outlines an appraisal or arbitration process.
Key Takeaways
- Timing: File within your policy window (typically 6 to 12 months but sometimes as short as 60 days). April is peak storm month in the Springfield CWA. Most Missouri claims close in 2 to 8 weeks with solid documentation.
- Documentation: Photograph everything before moving debris. Pull the NWS storm date confirmation. Save a written log of every insurer call with names, numbers, and dates.
- The Inspection: Call a roofer first, before your insurer. Free inspections cover all four slopes plus the attic and gutters. Get a written report and full photo set before filing.
- The Adjuster Visit: Your contractor has the right to be present and should be. Adjusters use 10 by 10 test squares to count hail hit density. Do not sign the scope-of-loss on site; review with your contractor first.
- Your Settlement: RCV policies pay in two parts (ACV first, depreciation after completion). ACV-only policies pay one depreciated settlement. Read your policy before storm season, not after.
- The Replacement: Permits required in Springfield and surrounding cities; we handle them on every job. Class 4 impact-resistant Owens Corning shingles outperform standard products in SW Missouri’s hail environment. Decking issues found during tear-off should be documented and addressed before new layers go on.
- The Final Step: Submit final invoices, photos, and permits to release recoverable depreciation. Follow up in writing if no payment within 10 to 14 business days. Save all closeout paperwork for resale or future claims.
Want a Free Inspection Before You Make Any Other Calls?
You now know what the full process looks like and what order it goes in. The next step is the simplest one: a free professional inspection from a team that has been doing this work in Southwest Missouri since 1971.
Teague Roofing Plus has completed over 5,000 roofs across SW Missouri, and we walk every step of the storm damage process with our customers.
Here is what comes with calling us first:
- Free roof inspection with a written damage report and photos of every slope
- Josh Tessmer personally present on every job, not a call center
- Our team meets your adjuster on site at no extra charge
- Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, held by less than 1% of roofers nationally
- All permits handled on every job
- Over 5,000 completed roofs across Southwest Missouri since 1971
Call 417-883-7663 or contact us online.
We serve Springfield, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Willard, Marshfield, and communities across Southwest Missouri.
Teague Roofing Plus | Roofing, Siding, Windows, Gutters, and More. Serving Southwest Missouri Since 1971.
