First 24 hours
Photograph everything you can see from the ground. Every slope. Any debris in the yard. Any damage to siding, screens, or vehicles (that documentation helps tie the event to your home).
Screenshot the local weather radar from the event time. Note the date, time, and approximate hail size if you saw it.
Do NOT climb on the roof. Do NOT sign anything a door-knocker hands you. Do NOT let a contractor 'tarp it' before you've had an inspection — that can complicate the claim.
First week
Get a free inspection from a local, established contractor. Not a door-knocker — a roofer with a real Bixby presence. The inspection should produce a written report with photos.
If the inspection finds damage that meets or exceeds your deductible, file the claim. If it doesn't, don't file — a no-damage claim can affect your premium without buying you anything.
Adjuster meeting
Have your roofer on the roof with the adjuster. This is the single most important factor in whether a Bixby hail claim gets fairly scoped on the first pass. First-pass scopes routinely under-count slopes the adjuster couldn't see well — having a roofer up there closes those gaps.
After approval
Use your insurance settlement to install a quality roof system. Don't accept the cheapest contractor — the insurance check is a one-shot opportunity to put a roof on your home that will outlast the current claim cycle.
Consider Class 4 impact-rated shingles for the upgrade. The premium difference is small and the insurance discount typically recovers the cost in 3–5 years.
Frequently asked
What if I missed the immediate post-storm window?
You usually have up to a year on Oklahoma policies. Call for an inspection — recent damage is still recent enough to document.
Should I get multiple quotes?
Yes, two or three. Compare scopes, not just totals — a cheaper quote that omits ridge cap or ice-and-water shield isn't actually cheaper.
What if the storm-chaser already signed me up?
Most contracts have a 3-day right of rescission. Read the contract — if you're still in that window, cancel in writing. Then call a local contractor for a real inspection.