What to Do After Hail Damages Your Lubbock Home

After a hailstorm in Lubbock, your first call should be to your insurance agent—not a roofing contractor. Acting quickly helps protect your home, document the damage, and keep your claim moving under your policy’s deadlines. Before anyone starts repairs or asks you to sign paperwork, Beadle Insurance Agency can help you understand the next steps.

Hailstorms are a fact of life in Lubbock, TX and across West Texas. A calm, organized response can make a stressful situation much easier to manage. Here is a practical step-by-step guide for what to do after hail damages your property.

Step 1: Make Safety Your First Priority

Before checking for dents or climbing onto a roof, make sure your family and property are safe. Stay away from downed power lines, broken glass, unstable trees, and areas with standing water. If there is an immediate emergency, contact the appropriate local emergency service first.

Do not climb on your roof to inspect it. Hail damage is not always easy to see from the ground, and a wet or damaged roof can be dangerous. You can document what is visible from a safe location and let qualified professionals handle a closer inspection later.

Step 2: Document the Damage Before Touching Anything

Once it is safe, take clear photos and videos of the damage before moving, cleaning, or repairing anything. Start with wide shots that show the overall condition of the property, then take close-ups of specific damage.

Look for visible damage to shingles, gutters, downspouts, windows, screens, siding, fences, outdoor furniture, air-conditioning units, and vehicles. Inside the home, photograph leaks, water stains, damaged ceilings, or wet belongings. Make a written list of what you notice and include the date of the storm.

Do not throw away damaged property unless your insurance company tells you it is okay. If water is entering the home, you should take reasonable temporary steps to prevent additional damage, such as covering a broken window or placing a tarp over an opening. Keep every receipt for emergency materials or temporary repairs.

Good documentation gives you a record of what happened and helps the adjuster see the full scope of your loss. It can also be useful if additional damage becomes apparent later.

Step 3: Call Beadle Insurance Agency Before Signing With a Contractor

After a major hailstorm, contractors may begin knocking on doors quickly. Some are reputable local professionals, but homeowners should slow down before signing any contract, assignment, contingency agreement, or authorization.

Your next call should be to Beadle Insurance Agency. We can help you locate your policy information, review your wind and hail coverage, explain your deductible, and help you start the claim process with your carrier. Calling us first does not prevent you from choosing a contractor—it simply helps you make an informed decision before committing to anything.

Be especially cautious about any contractor who promises to “cover” or waive your deductible. In Texas, contractors cannot legally offer to waive, absorb, rebate, or otherwise avoid a homeowner’s insurance deductible. A contractor should also not pressure you to sign immediately or tell you that you do not need to involve your insurer.

When you are ready to obtain repair estimates, you may choose your own contractor. Ask for written estimates, verify credentials, and keep copies of every document. For more information about storm protection and claim preparation, visit our Wind & Hail Coverage page.

Step 4: Understand Your Wind/Hail Deductible

Before you make decisions about repairs, find out exactly what deductible applies. Many Lubbock homeowners have a separate wind/hail deductible, and it may be a percentage of the home’s Coverage A dwelling limit rather than a flat dollar amount.

For example, if your home is insured for $300,000 and your wind/hail deductible is 2%, your out-of-pocket deductible is $6,000. That amount is based on the insured value of the home—not the size of your repair bill.

Knowing the deductible early helps you set expectations. Your adjuster will inspect the damage and prepare an estimate, but your claim payment is still subject to your deductible, policy limits, settlement terms, and any applicable depreciation. Beadle Insurance Agency can help you read the declarations page and understand the numbers, but the carrier makes the final coverage and payment decisions.

Step 5: File Promptly and Keep the Claim Moving

Report the damage to your insurer as soon as you reasonably can. Your policy may contain a deadline for filing a claim, and waiting can make it harder to document the damage or show what was caused by a particular storm. Many homeowners policies have a one-year claim-reporting deadline, but you should always confirm the timeline in your own policy.

After you file, write down your claim number and the name and contact information for everyone you speak with. Save emails, letters, estimates, invoices, and photos in one place. Respond promptly if the carrier asks for information, a proof-of-loss form, or other documentation.

Try to be present when the adjuster inspects the property. You may also have your contractor attend the inspection to discuss the scope of repair work. If the damage appears worse after the first inspection, notify the adjuster and provide the additional documentation.

Know Your Rights if You Disagree With the Estimate

If you disagree with the amount the insurance company offers for a covered hail loss, begin by asking questions. Share your contractor’s estimate and documentation, and ask the adjuster to explain any differences. Many estimate disagreements can be resolved through communication and a reinspection.

If the dispute is about the amount of loss, Texas Senate Bill 458 may provide an important option. For applicable personal residential property policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, SB 458 requires an appraisal provision. The appraisal process is designed to resolve disagreements about the amount of damage or the cost of the loss—not disagreements over whether the policy covers the damage in the first place.

In a typical appraisal, you select an appraiser and the insurance company selects its appraiser. If those appraisers cannot agree, they select an umpire. The appraisal award is generally binding on the amount of loss, except in limited circumstances such as fraud, accident, material mistake, or an award made without authority.

SB 458 does not apply to every policy. It does not apply to commercial policies or Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policies, and policy terms still matter. If an appraisal issue arises, review your policy and consider speaking with qualified legal counsel about your specific situation.

Common Hail Claim Mistakes to Avoid

• Signing a contractor agreement before contacting your insurance agent or carrier.
• Making permanent repairs before the insurer has a chance to inspect the damage.
• Failing to take photos and videos before cleanup begins.
• Assuming a contractor can waive your deductible.
• Ignoring claim letters, requests for information, or policy deadlines.
• Throwing away damaged items before the carrier tells you to do so.
• Assuming a claim will pay for every repair without checking the deductible and policy terms.

Beadle Insurance Agency is here to help homeowners in Lubbock, TX make sense of the process. A quick call early in the claim can help you avoid preventable missteps and move forward with more confidence.

For a broader review of your coverage, visit our Home Insurance page. If you need to reach our team, use our Contact page.

FAQ

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

You should report hail damage as soon as possible. The exact deadline comes from your policy, and many homeowners policies use a one-year deadline unless there is a valid reason for delay. Do not assume you have unlimited time—review your policy and contact Beadle Insurance Agency promptly after a storm.

Can I choose my own contractor for hail repairs in Texas?

Yes. You can choose your own contractor for hail repairs in Texas. Before signing a contract, contact your insurance agent, get written estimates, verify the contractor’s credentials, and avoid anyone who offers to waive or absorb your deductible.

What is the Texas appraisal process for insurance disputes?

The appraisal process is a way to resolve a disagreement about the amount of a covered loss. You and the insurance company each choose an appraiser, and the appraisers choose an umpire if needed. Under SB 458, applicable personal residential property policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026 must include an appraisal provision. Appraisal addresses the value of the loss, not whether the policy provides coverage.

Should I make repairs before an insurance adjuster inspects hail damage?

Make only reasonable temporary repairs needed to prevent further damage, such as covering a broken window or stopping water intrusion. Keep receipts and photos. Avoid permanent repairs until the insurance company has had an opportunity to inspect the damage.

Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage in Lubbock, TX?

Many homeowners policies in Lubbock include wind and hail coverage, but coverage, deductibles, roof settlement terms, and exclusions vary. Review your policy or contact Beadle Insurance Agency to understand what your homeowners policy provides.

Before storm season—or immediately after a hailstorm—call Beadle Insurance Agency at (806) 798-7900. We are ready to help Lubbock and West Texas homeowners review their policy, understand their deductible, and take the right next step.