What to Do After a Hail Storm in Middle Tennessee

A Step-by-Step Homeowner’s Checklist

by Professional Roofers, Inc.

Middle Tennessee gets hit with hail every year — sometimes minor, sometimes significant. When a storm rolls through, homeowners are often left wondering: did my roof take damage? Do I need to file a claim? Where do I even start?

Here’s the checklist we walk homeowners through after every hail event. Follow these steps and you’ll be in the best possible position — whether the damage is major or minor.

Step 1 — Stay Safe and Wait for the Storm to Pass

Don’t go outside while hail is still falling. Wait until the storm has completely cleared. Wet roofs, fallen debris, and electrical hazards are all real risks in the immediate aftermath. Once it’s safe to go outside, start the documentation process from the ground.

Step 2 — Document Everything Before Touching Anything

Grab your phone and start taking photos. Document as much as possible before anyone touches anything. Look for:

• Dents on gutters, downspouts, and gutter guards

• Dings on AC units, HVAC covers, and metal flashing

• Damage to vehicles in the driveway — these serve as a third-party proof of hail size

• Any visible damage to siding, fencing, or window screens

• Any visible shingles that look cracked, missing, or disturbed

This documentation matters. Insurance adjusters look at all of this when assessing a claim.

What Does Hail Damage Actually Look Like?

On shingles, hail damage shows up as dark circular bruising — the granules get knocked loose, leaving a soft, bare spot underneath. It’s subtle and easy to miss from the ground. On metal surfaces (gutters, flashing, AC fins), you’ll see round dents of varying size depending on hail diameter.

This is why we always say: don’t go on the roof yourself. Wet shingles are slippery, and walking on a potentially damaged roof makes it worse. Let a professional assess it safely.

Step 3 — Call PRI for a Free Inspection

Call us at (615) 778-1440 and schedule a free inspection. We’ll get out within 24-48 hours in most cases. Our team will climb the roof, document everything with photos, and give you an honest assessment of what’s there — whether it’s claimable damage, minor wear, or something in between.

We will never tell you to file a claim you don’t need. If the damage isn’t worth filing on, we’ll tell you that straight up.

Step 4 — File Your Claim with Your Insurance Company

You file the claim — not us. The homeowner owns the relationship with their insurance carrier. Call your insurance company or use their app, tell them you believe your home sustained hail damage, and get a claim number. Give that claim number to us so we can coordinate with your adjuster.

Most carriers require you to file within a reasonable window after the storm. Don’t wait months — some carriers start pushing back on delayed claims after hail season has passed.

Step 5 — PRI Attends the Adjuster Meeting With You

Once your carrier assigns a field adjuster, they’ll schedule a time to inspect the property. We attend that meeting with you. We bring our own documentation, measurements from our inspection, and knowledge of what your policy is likely to cover — including code-upgrade items many homeowners don’t know they’re entitled to.

Step 6 — Review the Scope and Supplement if Needed

When the adjuster releases their scope of work and initial payment, we review it line by line. If anything is missing — missing line items, incorrect measurements, or overlooked code upgrades — we submit a supplement to the carrier to get it corrected. This is a normal part of the insurance claim process and something PRI handles on your behalf.

Step 7 — Schedule the Repair or Replacement

Once the scope is finalized and approved, we get you on the schedule. Most residential roof replacements are completed in a single day. We order materials, coordinate with your adjuster on the release of funds, and handle the job from start to final walkthrough.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make After a Hail Storm

• Waiting too long. Carriers have filing windows and storm chasers fill up schedules fast after major events. Get your inspection scheduled quickly.

• Signing with the first contractor that knocks on your door. Storm chasers — out-of-state contractors who follow storms — often do substandard work and disappear when problems arise. Work with a local, established company.

• Doing repairs before documentation. Any repairs made before an insurance inspection may void part of your claim. Get the inspection first.

Why Professional Roofers, Inc.?

We’ve been serving Franklin, Brentwood, Nashville, Murfreesboro, and all of Middle Tennessee since 2006. We know Tennessee carriers, we know what adjusters look for, and we stay with you through the entire process — from the first phone call to the final check. 260+ five-star reviews and counting.

 

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Ready to get started? Call Professional Roofers, Inc. at (615) 778-1440 or schedule a free roof inspection online. We serve Franklin, Brentwood, Nashville, Murfreesboro, and all of Middle Tennessee. Have questions first? Check out our frequently asked questions or explore financing options through Sunlight Financial.