If a storm has hit your home in Atlanta, you’re not alone. Georgia is no stranger to severe weather — from hail storms and high winds to fallen trees and tornado damage. When your roof takes a hit, the insurance claim process can feel overwhelming. At LB Roofing & Construction, we’ve helped hundreds of Atlanta homeowners navigate storm damage claims since 2008. Here’s exactly what to do, step by step.
Step 1: Stay Safe and Document the Damage Immediately
Before anything else, make sure your home is safe to be in. If you see structural damage, sagging ceilings, or exposed wiring, stay out of those areas. Once it’s safe, document everything:
- Take photos and video of all visible damage — from the ground and inside the attic if safe
- Capture damage to gutters, siding, windows, and any personal property
- Note the date and time of the storm
- Save any weather reports or news coverage about the storm event
The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim. Don’t make permanent repairs yet — your insurance company needs to see the damage first.
Step 2: Call Your Insurance Company to Open a Claim
Contact your homeowner’s insurance provider as soon as possible after the storm. Most policies require you to report damage promptly. When you call:
- Tell them the date of the storm and the type of damage (hail, wind, falling tree, etc.)
- Ask for your claim number — you’ll need this for every future conversation
- Ask when the adjuster will come out for an inspection
- Request a copy of your policy if you don’t have one handy
In Georgia, most major insurers have 24/7 claim lines. Don’t delay — many policies have deadlines for reporting storm damage.
Step 3: Get a Professional Roof Inspection Before the Adjuster Arrives
This is the step most homeowners skip — and it costs them thousands of dollars.
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company. Their job is to assess your claim accurately, but they’re also trained to minimize payouts. Before your adjuster visit, call a trusted local roofing contractor to inspect the damage independently. A reputable roofer will:
- Get on the roof and identify all damage — including damage adjusters often miss
- Provide a written damage report and estimate
- Meet the adjuster on-site and advocate for the full scope of repairs you’re owed
At LB Roofing, we provide free storm damage inspections and will meet your adjuster at no charge. We know what insurance companies look for — and what they sometimes overlook.
Step 4: Meet the Insurance Adjuster
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect your roof. If possible, have your roofing contractor present at this meeting. This is one of the most important steps in the entire process.
Having a knowledgeable roofer on-site means:
- Nothing gets missed — adjusters sometimes overlook hail hits, granule loss, or damaged flashing
- You have an expert who can point out every legitimate area of damage
- You’re protected from lowball estimates that don’t reflect the true cost of repairs
LB Roofing has attended hundreds of adjuster meetings across metro Atlanta. We know the process, the language, and how to get homeowners the settlement they deserve.
Step 5: Review Your Insurance Settlement Offer
After the inspection, your insurance company will send a settlement offer — called an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or Summary of Loss. Review it carefully:
- Actual Cash Value (ACV) vs. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) — ACV deducts for depreciation; RCV covers the full replacement cost. Most policies pay ACV first, then release the depreciation holdback after work is completed.
- Make sure all damaged areas are included — not just the obvious ones
- Compare the insurance estimate to your roofing contractor’s estimate
If the settlement seems low or incomplete, you can request a re-inspection or file a supplemental claim. Don’t sign anything until you’re confident the scope of work is fully covered.
Step 6: Choose Your Roofing Contractor and Schedule Repairs
Once your claim is approved, it’s time to get the work done. A few things to keep in mind when choosing a roofing contractor in Atlanta:
- Use a local, licensed, and insured company — not a storm chaser from out of state
- Verify they have experience with insurance claim work specifically
- Get everything in writing — scope of work, materials, warranty, and timeline
- Never pay the full amount upfront
LB Roofing has been Atlanta’s trusted insurance claim specialist since 2008. We’re licensed, carry $1 million in general liability insurance, and offer a 5-year workmanship warranty. We handle the paperwork, work directly with your adjuster, and don’t collect final payment until the job is done to your satisfaction.
Common Storm Damage We See in Atlanta
Atlanta and the surrounding metro area experience a wide range of severe weather. The most common types of roof damage we repair include:
- Hail damage — dents in metal flashing, cracked or bruised shingles, granule loss
- Wind damage — lifted, missing, or torn shingles; damaged ridge caps
- Fallen tree limbs — punctures, broken decking, structural damage
- Water intrusion — leaks, damaged underlayment, rotted decking from ongoing exposure
Don’t Wait — Storm Damage Gets Worse Over Time
A damaged roof that isn’t addressed quickly leads to bigger problems: water damage, mold, structural rot, and dramatically higher repair costs. If you’ve had a storm recently and aren’t sure whether your roof was affected, a free inspection is the smartest first step.
LB Roofing & Construction serves all of metro Atlanta, including Marietta, Kennesaw, Alpharetta, Woodstock, Cumming, Stone Mountain, and Cobb County. Call us at (404) 671-4451 or request a free inspection online — we’ll come out, assess your damage, and walk you through every step of the claims process at no cost to you.
Need a free inspection or written estimate? Lee personally walks every roof.