Hail & storm damage · Central Texas
Hail and storm damage claims
Most hail damage is invisible from the street and obvious from the roof. Michael Acerra documents it the way carriers are obliged to take seriously.
No cost, no obligation, no upfront fees. Se habla español.
Why hail claims get underpaid
Hail rarely punches a hole in a roof. It bruises. It knocks the granules off asphalt shingles, dents the soft metals — vents, flashing, gutters, HVAC fins — and shortens the life of the roof by years without changing what it looks like from the driveway.
That is exactly what makes the claim easy to underpay. An adjuster who spends fifteen minutes on a test square, marks four hits, and writes a repair estimate is not being dishonest. He is following the scope he was given. Whether your roof gets repaired or replaced usually comes down to who documented more, and better.
Texas storms also come in waves. Carriers will ask which storm caused what, and a claim can be denied on date of loss alone. Matching the damage to a verifiable storm event is part of the file, not an afterthought.
Call before you accept a hail settlement if
- The estimate covers a repair and every roofer you have spoken to says replacement.
- Nobody looked at the gutters, screens, vents, HVAC or garage door — only the shingles.
- Matching shingles are no longer manufactured and the estimate ignores it.
- The carrier applied a separate, larger wind and hail deductible you were not expecting.
- Your claim was denied as cosmetic damage, or as wear and tear.
- You have not filed yet and the roof has visible granule loss in the gutters.
What gets documented on a hail claim
Roof field and slopes
Test squares on every slope, granule loss, mat bruising, and the age and condition of the system.
Soft metals
Vents, flashing, gutters, downspouts, garage door and HVAC fins — the surfaces that record hail size.
Interior and attic
Leaks, staining and decking condition that only show once someone actually goes up there.
Windows and screens
Broken seals, torn screens and damaged trim that are routinely left off the first estimate.
Code and matching
Current building code requirements and whether repair is realistic when materials no longer match.
Storm verification
Date of loss tied to a documented hail event, so the claim is not denied on timing.
How the claim runs
- Free claim review. You describe what happened. Michael tells you honestly whether a public adjuster changes the outcome.
- On-site inspection. Roof, attic, interior, contents — photographed and measured, not glanced at.
- Documentation. A line-item Xactimate estimate built the same way the carrier builds theirs.
- Negotiation. Michael deals with the carrier so you are not the one arguing scope on the phone.
- Settlement. You see what was recovered and why, in plain language.
Who you are actually hiring
Texas Licensed Public Adjuster #2358069 · Licensed residential contractor · Xactimate certified · CPPA, NAPIA · MBA · BBB accredited, A+ · 16+ years in insurance and construction
A public adjuster is not an insurance agent and does not work for the carrier. Michael represents the policyholder only.
Hail claim questions
How long do I have to file a hail claim in Texas?
Policies set their own deadlines and they are shorter than most people assume. If a storm hit months ago and you are only noticing now, call and ask — do not assume the window has closed, and do not assume it is still open.
My roof looks fine. Is it worth an inspection?
Often yes. Granules in the gutter, dented vents or a dented AC unit are the tell. If the roof is intact, you will be told that too.
The insurance company says the damage is cosmetic. Is that final?
No. Cosmetic is a position, and some policies carry a specific cosmetic damage exclusion while others do not. What the policy actually says decides it.
Do I need a roofer or a public adjuster?
Different jobs. A roofer builds and installs. A public adjuster is licensed to document the loss and negotiate the claim with your carrier on your behalf. Michael is licensed as both, which is why the estimates hold up.
Get the roof looked at properly
A free claim review costs you nothing and takes one phone call. If the damage does not support a claim, you will be told that straight.