Written by the licensed roofing professionals at 3MG Roofing & Solar — Orlando, FL. Updated February 2026.
What Should You Do If Your Roof Is Damaged in a Hurricane?
If your Orlando roof is damaged during a hurricane or severe storm, take these steps in order: ensure your family’s safety and stay off the roof, document all visible damage with photos and video from the ground, call a licensed roofing contractor for emergency tarping to prevent further interior damage, and contact your insurance company to file a claim within 48 hours [1]. At 3MG Roofing & Solar, we provide emergency storm damage response, insurance claim support, and full roof restoration services for Orlando and Winter Park homeowners.
Step 1: How Do You Stay Safe After Roof Storm Damage?
Never climb onto a damaged roof after a storm. Structural damage, wet surfaces, downed power lines, and hidden weaknesses create serious safety hazards that can cause injury or death even on roofs that appear stable from the ground. Stay inside your home if the interior is safe. If you see significant structural damage such as sagging ceilings, cracked trusses, or active water intrusion through light fixtures, evacuate to a safe location and contact Orange County Emergency Management or call 911.
While waiting for professional help, place buckets under active leaks and move valuable belongings, electronics, and documents away from water damage areas. If you have access to plastic sheeting or tarps inside the home, drape them over furniture and flooring beneath the leak points to minimize secondary damage. Every step you take to prevent additional damage strengthens your insurance claim later because insurers expect policyholders to take reasonable mitigation measures [2].
Step 2: How Should You Document Roof Storm Damage for Insurance?
Thorough documentation is the foundation of a successful insurance claim. Using your phone, take photos and videos of all visible exterior damage from multiple angles at ground level. Photograph missing shingles, dented gutters, broken tiles, damaged flashing, fallen tree limbs, and any debris on or around your home. Walk the full perimeter of your property and capture damage to fences, screens, soffits, fascia, and siding in addition to the roof itself since these items are typically covered under the same claim.
Inside your home, photograph water stains on ceilings and walls, wet insulation visible in the attic, damaged flooring, and any personal property affected by leaks. Date-stamp everything and save copies to cloud storage so you have a backup if your phone is damaged. Write down a detailed description of the damage while details are fresh. Do not make permanent repairs before your insurance adjuster inspects the damage [2] — doing so can complicate your claim by making it difficult for the adjuster to verify the original scope of loss.
Step 3: Why Should You Call a Licensed Roofer for Emergency Tarping?
Emergency tarping prevents further water damage to your home’s interior while you wait for insurance processing and permanent repairs. A professional tarp installation covers the damaged area completely using heavy-duty UV-resistant tarps secured with 2×4 battens screwed through the roof decking, ensuring the tarp withstands subsequent rain and wind events. DIY tarping with hardware store tarps and sandbags frequently fails during the next storm, leading to more interior damage and a larger insurance headache.
3MG Roofing & Solar provides emergency tarping and rapid storm restoration for Orlando homeowners. Emergency tarping is typically covered as part of your insurance claim since it falls under your policy’s duty to mitigate further damage [3]. Keep your tarping invoice and provide it to your adjuster as part of your documented expenses. In most cases, the cost is applied to your overall claim settlement rather than billed separately.
Step 4: How Do You File a Roof Damage Insurance Claim in Orlando?
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the storm. For a detailed walkthrough of the full process, see our Florida roof insurance claim guide. Most Florida policies require prompt notification, and filing within 48 to 72 hours positions your claim ahead of the thousands of other claims that flood in after a major hurricane [4]. Have your policy number, date of loss, and a general description of the damage ready when you call. Request a claim number and the name of your assigned adjuster before ending the call, and document the conversation with date, time, and the representative’s name.
Do not accept a verbal estimate or a phone-based settlement offer. Request an in-person adjuster visit so the full scope of damage can be assessed on your actual roof, not estimated from a satellite image or a software model. Many Orlando homeowners find it helpful to have their roofing contractor present during the adjuster inspection to ensure all damage is properly identified and nothing is overlooked. At 3MG, we meet adjusters on-site at no charge to walk the roof together and provide our professional assessment alongside the insurance inspection.
Step 5: What Happens During a Professional Roof Inspection?
A licensed roofing contractor should perform a thorough inspection once it is safe to access your roof. Professional inspectors identify damage that is invisible from the ground, including bruised shingles with compromised granule adhesion, cracked underlayment, loosened or displaced flashing around vents and penetrations, lifted ridge caps, and structural issues with decking or trusses. At 3MG Roofing & Solar, our trained inspectors document every detail with high-resolution photos, measurements, and a written scope of damage that supports your insurance claim.
We provide this comprehensive inspection at no cost to Orlando homeowners. Our inspection report includes a material-by-material assessment, an estimated repair or replacement cost, and recommendations for any upgrades that could improve your roof’s storm resistance going forward. This report becomes a valuable supplement to the insurance adjuster’s findings and can be used to support a supplemental claim if the initial adjuster assessment undervalues the damage.
How Do You Spot Storm Damage That Is Not Obvious?
Not all hurricane damage is immediately visible. Hail and wind-driven debris can bruise asphalt shingles without tearing them, weakening the granule bond and reducing their remaining lifespan by years. Tile roofs may develop hairline cracks that are invisible from the ground but allow water penetration during subsequent rains. Metal roofs can sustain dents and loosened fasteners that compromise their wind rating without showing obvious failure. Even if your roof appears intact after a storm, scheduling a professional inspection within 30 days is recommended because many forms of damage worsen with time and exposure.
In your attic, check for daylight visible through the roof deck, new water stains or discoloration on the underside of the sheathing, damp or compressed insulation, and any signs that roof decking has shifted or delaminated. These are all indicators of storm damage that may not be apparent from outside and can lead to mold growth, structural deterioration, and energy loss if left unaddressed.
What Should You Watch Out for After a Storm in Orlando?
After major hurricanes, unlicensed storm chasers flood the Orlando market with door-to-door solicitations, often within hours of the storm clearing. Be cautious of any contractor who demands large upfront payments, asks you to sign over your insurance benefits through an Assignment of Benefits agreement, or pressures you to make immediate decisions before you have had time to get competing estimates. Florida passed legislation in 2022 restricting AOB abuse in property insurance [5], but aggressive solicitation tactics remain common after storms.
Always verify Florida contractor licensing through the DBPR website at myfloridalicense.com [6], confirm they carry both general liability and workers compensation insurance, check for a verifiable local business address, and read reviews on Google and the BBB before committing. A legitimate contractor like 3MG Roofing & Solar will never pressure you into a same-day decision, will provide a detailed written estimate, and will work with your insurance company transparently throughout the process.
How Long Does Storm Damage Roof Restoration Take in Orlando?
The timeline for storm damage restoration depends on the scope of damage and the volume of claims in the area. Emergency tarping typically happens within 24 to 48 hours of your call. Insurance adjuster visits usually occur within one to four weeks after a major storm, though high-volume events like direct hurricane hits can push that timeline to six weeks or more. Once your claim is approved and materials are available, actual roof replacement or repair typically takes one to five days depending on the material and project scope. The full process from storm to completed restoration commonly takes 30 to 90 days in the Orlando market. For a detailed breakdown of what to expect on cost, see our Orlando roof replacement cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly should I file an insurance claim after storm damage?
File within 48 hours if possible. Florida law gives you up to three years for weather-related property claims under current statutes [7], but prompt filing results in faster processing, positions your claim ahead of the backlog, and reduces the risk of additional damage complications that can erode your settlement.
Will my insurance cover emergency tarping after a hurricane?
Yes, in most cases. Emergency tarping is considered damage mitigation under your policy’s duty to protect the property from further loss, and Florida insurance policies generally cover reasonable tarping costs. Keep your invoice and submit it to your adjuster as part of your claim documentation.
Should I get multiple repair quotes after storm damage?
Getting two to three estimates is wise, but prioritize licensed, insured contractors with documented storm restoration experience over the lowest price. Quality restoration work prevents future issues like hidden leaks, mold growth, and premature material failure that commonly arise from improper storm repairs by inexperienced or unlicensed contractors.
Can I upgrade my roofing material during a storm damage claim?
Yes. Your insurance covers replacement with like-kind materials, but you can pay the difference to upgrade. Many Orlando homeowners use storm damage claims as an opportunity to switch from standard shingles to impact-resistant shingles or metal roofing for better long-term storm protection and insurance savings. 3MG can walk you through the upgrade options and cost differences during your free consultation.
What if my insurance adjuster undervalues the storm damage?
If you believe the adjuster’s assessment does not reflect the full scope of damage, you have the right to request a re-inspection, submit a supplemental claim with your contractor’s detailed inspection report, or hire a licensed public adjuster to advocate on your behalf. Having a professional contractor’s documentation — like the free inspection report 3MG provides — gives you concrete evidence to support a higher valuation.
References
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. “Filing an Insurance Claim.” floir.com
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “Tips for Filing a Property Insurance Claim.” naic.org
- Florida Statutes §627.7011. “Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights.” flsenate.gov
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. “Hurricane Claims Information.” floir.com
- Florida Statutes §627.7152. “Assignment of Benefits.” flsenate.gov
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. “Verify a License.” myfloridalicense.com
- Florida Statutes §627.70132. “Notice of Property Insurance Claim.” flsenate.gov
