After every major hail event in the Omaha metro, our phone starts ringing with the same question: what do I do now? If you have been through a storm and you are not sure whether your roof took real damage, here is how the process actually works from assessment through replacement.
Step One: Get an Assessment Before You Call Insurance
This is the part most people get backwards. They call their insurance company first, open a claim, and then scramble to find a roofer. That puts you in a reactive position.
Call a roofer first. A good contractor will inspect your roof, check the attic, document what they find, and tell you whether the damage is worth filing a claim for. If it is cosmetic (a few dings on a roof that is otherwise solid), filing might not make sense. Claims go on your record, and too many can affect your insurability down the road.
When we do an assessment after a storm, we are looking at the shingles for impact marks, checking for cracked or displaced granules, inspecting flashings and vent boots, and looking at the soft metals (gutters, downspouts, vents) for dent patterns. We photograph everything. If the damage warrants a claim, you will have documentation ready before the adjuster even shows up.
Step Two: Filing the Claim
If the damage is real and the scope supports it, you file with your insurance carrier. Most homeowner policies in Nebraska cover wind and hail damage minus your deductible.
When you call your carrier, have these ready:
- Date of the storm
- Photos of visible damage (we provide these)
- Your policy number
- The inspection report from your contractor
The carrier will assign an adjuster, usually within a few days. Some carriers use desk adjusters who review photos remotely. Others send a field adjuster to the property.
Step Three: The Adjuster Visit
This is where having a contractor who knows the process pays off. We meet the adjuster at the property, walk the roof with them, and make sure every damaged area gets documented in their scope.
Adjusters are working dozens of claims after a storm. They are thorough, but they can miss things, especially on large or complex roofs. We have been through this hundreds of times across Elkhorn, West Omaha, Papillion, and everywhere else in our service area. We know what to point out and how to present it.
If the initial scope comes back short, we supplement it. That means providing additional documentation to support the full extent of the damage. Most supplements get resolved without much back and forth when the documentation is solid.
Step Four: Approval and Scheduling
Once the claim is approved, you will get a scope of work and a settlement amount from your carrier. In most cases, insurance pays the replacement cost minus your deductible and minus depreciation (which they release after the work is completed).
Your out-of-pocket cost is typically your deductible, usually $1,000 to $2,500 for most Omaha homeowners.
From approval to installation, we usually schedule within one to two weeks depending on the season. Storm season backlogs can push that out, which is why getting the process started early matters.
Step Five: The Replacement
Most Omaha roof replacements take one to two days. We tear off the old shingles, inspect the decking for hidden damage, replace any compromised sections, install underlayment, and put the new shingles on. We install GAF Timberline HDZ and Owens Corning Duration on the majority of our projects.
If you want to upgrade to Class 4 impact-resistant shingles during the replacement, this is the time to do it. Products like the GAF Timberline UHDZ or Owens Corning Duration FLEX carry a Class 4 impact rating and qualify for insurance premium discounts in Nebraska. The insurance payout covers a standard replacement, so you would pay the difference for the upgrade. Many homeowners in the Omaha hail corridor find the long-term savings on premiums make the upgrade worth it.
After installation, we do a final walkthrough, provide completion photos, and handle the paperwork your insurance carrier needs to release the depreciation holdback.
What to Watch Out For
After every major storm in Omaha, door-knockers show up in neighborhoods offering free inspections. Some are legitimate local companies. Many are storm chasers who follow hail events from state to state, collect insurance money, and move on.
A few things to look for:
- Are they based locally? Can you visit their office?
- Do they have a Nebraska contractor license?
- Will they be around in two years if something goes wrong?
- Are they pressuring you to sign before you have had time to think?
We live and work in Omaha. Our license number is on file, our phone number does not change, and we are here for the warranty work if anything comes up.