Tornado damage

Spring has arrived in Missouri — and with it comes the hail, high winds, and severe thunderstorms that can leave a trail of damage across your roof, siding, and property. If your home took a hit this season, what you do in the hours and days after the storm may matter just as much as the storm itself.

Insurance companies evaluate your claim based largely on the evidence you provide. A weak documentation record gives adjusters room to minimize, delay, or deny your claim. A strong one gives you the foundation to fight for every dollar you’re owed.

Here’s how Missouri homeowners can build a solid documentation file before an insurance adjuster ever sets foot on your property.

Start Documenting Immediately — Before Any Cleanup

The instinct after a storm is to start cleaning up. Resist it. Before you move a single shingle or throw away a piece of damaged siding, document everything in its current condition.

Use your smartphone to take clear, well-lit photos and video of every area you can see that shows damage. Walk the entire perimeter of your home. Get shots from multiple angles — close-ups showing the damage itself and wider shots establishing where on the property the damage occurred. If hail hit your gutters, roof, air conditioning unit, deck, or vehicle, photograph all of it. Insurers often use damage to soft metals like gutters and window screens as benchmarks for storm severity, so don’t overlook them.

Note the date and time on your photos. Most smartphones embed this automatically, but it’s worth double-checking. Timestamped documentation ties your evidence directly to the storm event.

Collect Supporting Evidence of the Storm

Your damage documentation is much stronger when paired with independent confirmation that a qualifying storm occurred. A few things to gather:

• Weather reports: Search the National Weather Service archive (weather.gov) for storm reports tied to your zip code and the date of the event. Hail size and wind speed are often recorded.
• Neighbor observations: If your neighbors also experienced damage, note their contact information. Multiple properties affected in the same storm strengthens your case.
• Local news coverage: Save screenshots or links to any local TV or news coverage of the storm event.

This third-party corroboration is something many homeowners overlook — and insurance companies know it.

Track Every Expense — From Day One

Storm-related costs often begin before you ever file a claim: tarps to protect a damaged roof, a hotel stay if your home is uninhabitable, emergency board-up services. Keep every receipt.

Missouri homeowners’ policies typically include coverage for “additional living expenses” and emergency protective measures. If you don’t document these costs, you almost certainly won’t be reimbursed for them. Create a simple spreadsheet or folder where you log every expense with the date, amount, and what it was for.

Be Careful What You Say to the Insurance Company Early On

When you first report your claim, stick to the facts: when the storm happened, what you observed, and what damage you can see. Avoid speculating about what things will cost or how extensive the damage might be — you don’t know yet, and neither does the insurance company’s first responder.

It’s also worth knowing that the adjuster who comes out to inspect your home is employed by, or hired by, your insurance company — not you. Their job is to assess the claim on the company’s behalf. That doesn’t make them your adversary, but it does mean their interests and yours are not perfectly aligned.

Consider Getting an Independent Assessment Before You Accept Any Settlement

Once the insurance company presents a settlement offer, many homeowners assume that’s the final word. It isn’t. You have the right to dispute a settlement that you believe is too low — but the window to do so effectively is limited.

A licensed public adjuster works exclusively for you, the policyholder. We review your policy, inspect the damage independently, prepare a detailed claim on your behalf, and negotiate with the insurance company to make sure nothing is missed or undervalued. We’ve seen cases where homeowners accepted a first offer that was thousands of dollars less than what they were actually owed — simply because they didn’t know what to look for.

There’s no obligation to accept the first offer – particularly when that first offer falls short of the amount you will need to restore your home or business. And there’s no cost to find out whether you should.

The Bottom Line

Spring storm damage doesn’t have to mean an uphill battle with your insurance company. The homeowners who come out best are those who document thoroughly, understand their policy rights, and don’t assume the insurance company’s first offer is the only offer or that it is sufficient to restore your home to its condition before the storm.

If your Missouri property was damaged by hail or wind this season and your have filed an insurance claim that has been either denied or underpaid, I offer a free claim review with no obligation. Let’s make sure you’re getting the full settlement you’re entitled to under your policy.

James H. Bushart

Jim Bushart is a licensed public adjuster helping Missouri home and business owners negotiate insurance claims for property loss and damage.

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