The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, according to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. As the season winds down, a lot of homeowners and business owners breathe a sigh of relief and move on to the holidays. But storms don’t always leave obvious damage behind. A few loose shingles, a faint ceiling stain or a slow leak around a window can go unnoticed for weeks, and that kind of damage tends to get worse once winter rain, wind and cold arrive.
Whether you’re on the Gulf Coast, the Atlantic coast or somewhere inland that saw severe thunderstorms, hail or high wind this year, now is a good time to take a careful look at your property and your policy before the calendar turns.
Why storm damage often shows up late
Wind and wind-driven rain can lift roof shingles just enough to break their seal without tearing them off. Water can get under flashing, into attic insulation or behind siding and stay out of sight until it reaches drywall. Hail can bruise roofing and dent gutters, vents and HVAC units in ways that are easy to miss from the ground.
Common signs that may point to storm damage you haven’t found yet include:
- New or growing stains on ceilings or upper walls
- A musty smell in the attic, closets or near windows
- Shingles that look lifted, creased, cracked or out of line
- Granules from the roof collecting in gutters or at downspouts
- Dented gutters, downspouts, vents, screens or outdoor AC units
- Windows or doors that suddenly stick, leak or let in drafts
- Peeling paint, bubbling or soft spots on walls and ceilings
- Fence, soffit or fascia damage you assumed was just “wear”
None of these automatically means you have a covered claim. But each one is worth documenting and looking into, especially if it showed up after a named storm or a severe weather day in your area.
Claim deadlines are real, and they vary
Most property policies have a “Duties After Loss” section that asks you to give the insurance company prompt notice of a loss. Some states also set their own deadlines by law.
Florida is a good example. Under Florida Statute 627.70132, a new or reopened property insurance claim is barred unless notice is given to the insurer within one year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim must be reported within 18 months. For hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, severe rain and other weather events, the statute ties the date of loss to the date the hurricane made landfall or the date NOAA verifies the weather event.
Other states have different rules, and your policy language matters too. Waiting until next spring to look into damage from a summer or fall storm can create problems you don’t need. If you think a storm may have damaged your property this year, the safest move is to check your policy and your state’s rules now rather than later.
A simple end-of-season checklist
You don’t need special equipment to get started. A careful walk-through and good notes go a long way.
- Write down the storms. List the dates of any hurricanes, tropical storms, hail or high-wind events that affected your area this year. Local news reports and National Weather Service alerts can help you pin down dates.
- Walk the outside. From the ground, look at the roof line, gutters, siding, windows, screens, fences and outdoor equipment. Don’t climb onto a roof yourself. Use binoculars or a phone camera’s zoom instead.
- Check the inside. Look at ceilings, attic spaces (if you can reach them safely), closets on exterior walls and the area around windows and doors.
- Take photos and video. Capture wide shots and close-ups, and turn on date stamps if your phone offers them. Keep everything in one folder.
- Prevent further damage. If something is actively leaking, take reasonable steps to stop it, like a tarp or a bucket, and keep receipts. Most policies expect you to protect the property from additional damage.
- Pull out your policy. Find your declarations page, your deductible (including any separate hurricane or wind/hail deductible) and the section that explains how and when to report a claim.
Before winter makes it worse
Small openings in a roof or wall can turn into bigger problems when temperatures drop. In colder states, water that gets into the structure can freeze and expand. In warmer states, trapped moisture can lead to mold. Either way, damage that started with one storm can spread, and insurers may look closely at whether a problem was reported and addressed promptly.
That’s another reason to look now. Finding and documenting damage early gives you more options and a clearer record if you do need to file.
How a public adjuster can help
A licensed public adjuster works for you, the policyholder, not for the insurance company. That can include reviewing your policy, inspecting and documenting the damage, preparing a detailed estimate and handling communication with the insurer during the claim. Every claim is different, and no adjuster can promise a particular outcome, but having someone on your side who knows how property claims work can take a lot of the guesswork and stress off your plate.
ClaimPros is a licensed public adjusting firm that helps homeowners, businesses and associations in many states with storm, water, fire, hail and other property claims.
Get a free policy review
Not sure whether that stain, leak or missing shingle is worth looking into? Call ClaimPros at (888) 592-5552 for a free policy review. We’ll go over your coverage, your deductibles and the reporting requirements that may apply, so you can decide on your next steps with clear information.
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