Most homeowners file their first roof insurance claim with no idea what to expect. Here's the actual sequence, start to finish.
Hail damage is very often invisible from the ground. Granule loss, bruised shingles, and cracked flashing usually require someone to physically get on the roof to spot. Schedule this before you file anything — you want documentation in hand first.
Contact your insurance carrier and report the storm date and damage. Most policies have a filing window — sometimes as short as one year from the storm date — so this isn't something to put off indefinitely.
Your insurer will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. This is the single most important step to get right — having a roofing professional present during this inspection helps make sure nothing gets missed or underestimated. An adjuster inspecting dozens of roofs after a regional storm doesn't always catch everything a specialist would.
The insurer will provide a written estimate of covered repairs. If it doesn't match what a roofing professional found during inspection, this is the point to raise it — before agreeing to anything or signing off.
Once the claim is approved, repair or replacement work is scheduled. You have the right to choose your own roofing contractor regardless of who your insurance company suggests.