Ventura County Public Adjuster

Your Insurance Claim Negotiators

Wind & Storm Damage Playbook

First 72 Hours After Wind or Storm Damage

Roof damage, fallen tree, broken windows, downed fence — what to do, in order, before the rain (or the carrier) makes it worse.

Jordan L. Eller · CA Licensed Public Adjuster License #4005444 · CA DRE Broker License #01347939

General guidance, not advice on your specific claim. This checklist describes typical steps after a residential loss. Your policy, carrier, and circumstances determine what actually applies to you. Talk with a licensed public adjuster or attorney before relying on any item here to make claim decisions.
First 24 hours · Prevent further damage

Day 1 — Cover and capture

Tarp the roof or board up openings TODAY — even if rain isn't forecastCalifornia policies require mitigation. If interior damage worsens because you didn't tarp, the carrier will deny that part. Keep all receipts.
Photograph and video the damage from every angle, including drone shots if possibleRoof damage from the ground is hard to see. Get a ladder photo or use a drone — wind claims live and die on what the photos show.
Look for hidden damage: lifted shingles, displaced ridge caps, gutter dents, soffit cracks, satellite dish hitsCarriers love to argue "wear and tear" or "prior damage." Document everything fresh, even subtle items.
Save weather reports for the day of lossWind speed at the nearest NWS station, lightning strikes, microburst notices. This is your foundation evidence — print or screenshot it now.
Report the loss to your carrier — claim number only, no speculationDon't say "the roof was old" or "there might have been damage before." Stick to: storm hit, damage observed, mitigation underway.
Hours 24–48 · Get expert eyes on it

Day 2 — Independent inspections

Get a licensed roofing contractor to inspect — and put findings in writingTheir report identifies impact damage, granule loss, sealant failure. Carriers often send adjusters who aren't roofers; you need a roofer's word in your file.
Document interior damage: water spots, ceiling stains, attic moisture, insulationWind opens the envelope; rain comes in later. Interior damage tied to the wind event must be linked clearly in your photos and reports.
Inventory damaged contents: outdoor furniture, electronics, art, anything wet insidePatio furniture, sheds, fences, and detached structures often have their own coverage limits — list them all.
If a tree fell, photograph the tree, the roots, and where it landed BEFORE removalTree removal is often only covered if it hits a structure. Document where it landed, not just where it ended up after cleanup.
Save every mitigation receipt — tarps, plywood, labor, debris haulingReasonable mitigation costs are reimbursable but only with receipts. Track them in a single folder or notes file.
Hours 48–72 · Get your numbers straight

Day 3 — Build leverage

Get a full repair estimate from the roofing contractorNot just patches — full slope replacement if shingles are discontinued or damage is widespread. Code upgrades (underlayment, drip edge) belong in the estimate.
Request your full policy and check for ACV vs. RCV on the roofMany California policies now apply Actual Cash Value (depreciated) to roofs. Knowing this BEFORE the offer arrives changes how you negotiate.
If the roof is older than 15 years, prepare for a depreciation fightCarriers will lean on age. Granule loss, soft decking, and matching shingles all become arguments — yours, not theirs.
Decide whether to engage a public adjusterWind/storm claims involve technical roofing arguments most homeowners can't win alone. PAs work only for you and typically recover meaningfully more.
Open a dedicated claim file — calls, names, dates, photos, receiptsStorm season claims often turn on small details that come back months later. The file is what wins them.
Red flags to watch for
  • Carrier sends an adjuster who isn't a licensed roofer
  • Damage is being called "wear and tear" without a counter-inspection
  • Roof is being approved for partial repair when shingles can't be matched
  • Code upgrade coverage is being omitted from the estimate

Want this as a printable PDF and a free 15-minute review?

Drop your info below — Jordan emails the PDF and follows up with a quick call to walk you through anything that's confusing.

Your info goes only to Jordan. No spam.

Ventura County Public Adjuster · Serving Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles Counties

SOS Public Adjusters Affiliated with SOS Public Adjusters

Disclaimer. Jordan L. Eller is a California-licensed Public Adjuster (CDI License #4005444) and California DRE Broker (License #01347939). Public adjusters represent insureds only, never insurance carriers. The interactive tools on this site — including this quiz, the denial decoder, and the claim checklists — provide general educational information about residential insurance claims and are not legal, tax, accounting, or claim-handling advice for your specific situation. Outcomes depend on your individual policy form, endorsements, declarations, loss circumstances, prior claims history, and carrier handling. Do not rely on tool output to decide whether to file, settle, or dispute a claim. For advice specific to your loss, schedule a no-obligation consultation by calling 805-252-7742.