Stay off the roof, photograph and video the damage from the ground, and check your deductible and policy. Then report the claim to your insurer promptly, keep notes on every call, and don’t sign with a door-knocking contractor until you’ve checked them out and have a written contract.
Short answer: before you pick up the phone, get your facts straight. Take photos and video of the damage from the ground, find your deductible and pull out your policy. Then report the claim promptly. And don’t sign anything with the contractor who just knocked on your door.
Does Indianapolis really get damaging hail?
Yes. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security says thunderstorms that can produce hail come in the spring and summer months, and that the National Weather Service received 91 reports of severe hail in Indiana in 2024.
It hits close to home, too. On June 16, 2026, NWS Indianapolis logged hail across Marion County: an estimated 1.25-inch report southeast of Speedway, reports of up to 1-inch hail near Clermont with some hail piling up on roofs, and hail of about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch near downtown.
How do I document hail damage safely?
Stay off the roof. A wet, damaged roof is no place to be, and the adjuster or a roofer can get up there. What you can do from the ground is plenty:
- Photograph and video the roof, gutters, siding, window screens and anything else that looks dented or cracked.
- If it’s safe, grab a photo of hailstones next to something for scale, like a coin.
- Shoot interior water spots on ceilings and walls.
- Write down the date and time of the storm.
- Make a list of everything damaged for your adjuster.
The Indiana Department of Insurance (IDOI) says to take photos and videos of the damage and make a list of all damaged property. It also says to keep receipts for repairs and new purchases.
What should I do before I call my insurance company?
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Check your deductible | IDOI says to find it before you report. If damage is minor, paying out of pocket may cost less. |
| 2. Find your policy number | Have your policy number, name, address and phone ready. |
| 3. Know your coverage type | Actual cash value subtracts depreciation. Replacement cost doesn’t. |
| 4. Gather your photos and list | You’ll explain what happened and how bad it is. |
| 5. Report promptly | IDOI says to notify your insurer right away. |
How do hail claims work in Indiana?
Once you report, your insurer will send an adjuster. IDOI suggests having your damaged-property list ready for that visit, and says you can have your contractor meet with you and the adjuster.
How much you get back depends on your policy. Per IDOI, actual cash value is the replacement cost minus depreciation, and you’re paid that minus your deductible. Replacement cost pays to replace or rebuild without taking depreciation off.
IDOI’s advice on pressure is worth repeating: don’t feel rushed or pushed to agree to something you aren’t comfortable with. Keep a simple log of every call: who you talked to, when and what they said.
If you believe your insurer didn’t follow the terms of your policy, IDOI’s Consumer Services Division takes complaints.
How do I spot a storm chaser?
After a big storm, crews show up fast. The Indiana Attorney General lists these warning signs:
- They find an immediate problem on your roof, or another spot that’s hard for you to check.
- They don’t disclose all the charges before you sign.
- They just finished a neighbor’s house and have “just enough” materials left for yours.
- They offer a deal for today only.
- They pressure you to accept an offer.
The AG’s advice: take your time, compare written bids, be skeptical of a bid that’s too low, and lean toward a local, well-established contractor. Check with your city or county building department on licensing, and ask whether the contractor is bonded and insured. You can also check complaint history with the AG’s Consumer Protection Division and the Better Business Bureau.
What should be in a roofing contract in Indiana?
The Attorney General says Indiana law requires home improvement contracts above a small dollar amount to be in writing. Before you sign, the AG says the contract should include:
- The price of the job and the payment schedule
- A detailed description of the work and materials, including colors and brand names
- Estimated start and completion dates
- The contractor’s name and address, plus a contact name and phone number for problems
- The contractor’s signature
On money, the AG says never pay for the whole project before work begins, and don’t pay more than one-third of the total as a down payment. Tie later payments to finished work. Ask whether a permit is needed, since a contractor shouldn’t start until it’s issued. And before your final payment, get written proof that subcontractors and suppliers have been paid, because the AG warns they can file a mechanic’s lien on your home if they aren’t.
Keep everything: the contract, change orders, warranties and emails. If problems come up, the AG says to put your complaint in writing to the contractor and keep a copy.
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Sources: NWS Indianapolis: Tornado and Severe Storms of June 16, 2026; Indiana Department of Homeland Security: Thunderstorms; Indiana Department of Insurance: What You Need to Know When Filing a Homeowners Claim; Indiana Attorney General: Protect Yourself from Storm Chaser Scams (PDF). Checked November 2026.
