If you’re a homeowner in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Durbin Crossing, or St. Johns County, you already know Florida weather doesn’t ask for permission. Between hurricane season and the pop-up storms that roll in off the coast most summer afternoons, your roof takes a beating every year, often without you noticing until there’s a stain on the ceiling. As a locally owned, GAF Certified Plus roofing company, we walk homeowners through the insurance claims process every week, so here’s a straightforward look at how it actually works.

How Do You Know If You Have Storm Damage?

Not all damage is visible from the ground. After any significant wind or hail event, look for:

• Missing, cracked, or curling shingles
• Granules collecting in gutters or at downspouts
• Soft spots or discoloration on interior ceilings
• Dented gutters, vents, or flashing
• Visible daylight through the attic decking

Some of the most costly damage — bruised shingles, compromised seals, lifted edges — isn’t visible from your driveway. A professional inspection after any major storm is the only reliable way to know for sure.

Step 1: Get a Free Inspection Before You Call Insurance

Before filing anything, get an inspection from a licensed, GAF Certified Plus roofing contractor. We document everything with photos, note the likely storm date and cause, and give you an honest answer — including if we don’t think the damage rises to a claim. We’re not going to manufacture an issue just to get a job.

Step 2: File Your Claim

Once damage is confirmed, you’ll file directly with your homeowner’s insurance carrier. You’ll need:

• The date(s) of the storm
• Photo documentation (we provide this)
• A written inspection report

Most Florida carriers give you a limited window after a storm to file, so don’t wait months to make the call.

Step 3: The Adjuster Meeting

Your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the damage. Having a roofing contractor meet the adjuster on-site is where the process most often goes right or wrong — we walk the roof alongside them to make sure nothing gets missed or underestimated in the scope of work.

Step 4: Approval and Replacement

Once your claim is approved, we handle the rest — working from the insurance scope, sourcing materials (we install GAF Timberline HDZ and Timberline Ultra HDZ shingles), and scheduling your install with minimal disruption to your household.

Does Insurance Always Cover It?

Storm and hurricane damage is often covered under a standard homeowners policy, but general wear and aging typically isn’t. That distinction is exactly why a professional inspection and documentation matter — they establish what’s actually storm-related versus what’s just an aging roof.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a storm damage claim in Florida? Timelines vary by carrier and policy, but Florida law generally requires claims to be filed within a set window after the date of loss. Check your specific policy or ask your agent, and don’t delay scheduling an inspection.

Will a roof inspection for insurance purposes cost me anything? No — we provide free inspections for homeowners throughout our Northeast Florida service area, whether or not you end up filing a claim.

What if my claim gets denied or underpaid? This happens more often than homeowners expect. We can re-inspect, provide additional documentation, and in many cases help support a supplement request to the carrier.

Click here to learn about our Insurance Claim Assistance

Click here to learn more about our Roof Inspection process

Think You Might Have Storm Damage?

Get a free, no-obligation inspection from Northeast Florida’s GAF Certified Plus roofing team. Click here to schedule your free inspection, or call us at (904) 910-3121.