What Should I Do Immediately After Hurricane Roof Damage in Broward County?
After hurricane or storm damage to your Broward County roof, the first 48 hours are critical — both for protecting your home from further water intrusion and for documenting your insurance claim correctly. Here is exactly what to do, in order.
Step 1 — Stay Safe First
Do not attempt to access your roof immediately after a storm. Wet roofing materials, weakened structures, and debris create serious fall hazards. Assess visible damage from the ground only. If you see large sections of missing roofing, active water intrusion into the home, or structural damage, evacuate the affected area of the house until a professional assessment is completed.
Step 2 — Call a Licensed Roofing Contractor
Call (954) 451-1015 immediately. Our storm damage & insurance claims service is available 24/7. Do this before calling your insurance company. A licensed contractor can document the damage professionally — in the format insurance adjusters require — before any emergency repairs are made. This documentation is critical for your claim. We deploy 24/7 emergency crews throughout Broward County after major storm events.
Step 3 — Emergency Tarping to Prevent Further Damage
Emergency tarping stops water from entering your home while the full repair is scheduled. This is covered by most Florida homeowner's insurance policies. Our crews apply heavy-duty commercial tarping that remains secure through subsequent weather events — not the lightweight blue tarps sold at hardware stores that fail in the next rain.
Step 4 — Document Everything Before Cleanup
Do not remove debris from your yard or property before documentation is complete. Your insurance adjuster needs to see the full extent of the damage. Take photos of: the roof from multiple ground angles, any interior water damage, fallen trees or branches near the structure, and any debris on the roof or in the gutters. We provide professional photographic documentation as part of our storm response service.
Step 5 — File Your Insurance Claim
Contact your homeowner's insurance company within 24–48 hours of the storm event. Request an adjuster inspection. Provide them with the damage documentation your roofing contractor has prepared. In Florida, insurance companies are required to acknowledge your claim within 14 days and make a coverage decision within 90 days.
What Do Florida Insurance Companies Look For in Storm Damage Claims?
Florida insurance adjusters assess roof damage based on: wind uplift evidence (lifted or missing shingles, tiles, or flashing), impact damage from debris, structural damage to the deck or rafters, and water intrusion evidence. Our damage reports are written specifically in the format Broward County's major carriers — Citizens, Universal, Heritage, and others — require for claim approval.
Common Mistakes Broward County Homeowners Make After Storm Damage
- Waiting too long to call — additional water damage that occurs after a storm is often not covered if you failed to take reasonable protective action.
- Accepting the first contractor who shows up uninvited — storm chasers from out of state flood Broward County after major storms. Use a locally licensed and established contractor.
- Signing an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) agreement — this signs over your insurance rights to the contractor. Never sign an AOB.
- Making major repairs before the adjuster visits — repair what is necessary to prevent further damage, document everything, but do not complete full repairs before the adjuster has inspected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Damage in Broward County
How long do I have to file a storm damage claim in Florida?
Florida law gives homeowners one year from the date of the storm to file an initial insurance claim for storm damage, and three years for supplemental claims. However, filing as quickly as possible is always recommended — documentation and evidence are freshest immediately after the event.
What if my insurance claim is denied?
A denied claim is not necessarily final. Learn more about our insurance claim assistance. We assist homeowners in preparing supplemental documentation and attending re-inspection appointments. Many initially denied claims are approved on second review with proper documentation.
Do you work in all cities in Broward County after storms?
Yes. We deploy emergency crews to all 25 cities in Broward County simultaneously — see our full service area. after major storm events — from Parkland in the north to Hallandale Beach in the south.
Call (954) 451-1015 or visit our Insurance Claims page to learn more and request a free estimate.
Call (954) 451-1015