First 24 hours: document everything from the ground
Don't climb the roof. Insurance carriers and roofing companies will, safely and with proper equipment. From the ground, you can still build a powerful claim file.
Photograph the largest pieces of hail you can find — next to a quarter or a ruler for scale. Photograph dented gutters, dented downspouts, dings in soft-metal vents, garage doors, AC condenser fins, mailboxes, and any granule wash in downspout splash zones. Save the local weather report screenshot showing time, hail size, and the storm path through Broken Arrow.
Note the exact date and time. Most Oklahoma carriers require claims to be filed within one year of date of loss, but the documentation you build in the first 24 hours is what wins the claim.
What NOT to do
Don't sign anything with the first contractor who knocks. Broken Arrow gets door-knocked hard after hail events — most of those crews are out-of-state storm chasers who'll be in Texas by August. They'll be unavailable when you need warranty work in two years.
Don't accept a 'contingency agreement' that obligates you to use a contractor if your claim is approved. Some are legitimate; many are not. Read every line, or don't sign.
Don't file a claim before you know whether one is worth filing. A denied claim still counts on your insurance history. A free, honest inspection tells you whether your damage meets the carrier's threshold first.
Getting an honest inspection
Call a local, established Broken Arrow roofer for a free inspection. A real inspection takes 45–60 minutes, ends with a written photo report, and includes a recommendation that's clear and unpressured: file the claim, repair, or do nothing for now.
When you call FireHouse Roofing, we climb the roof, photograph every slope, and email you the written report — whether or not you ever file a claim or hire us. That's the standard you should expect from any roofer.
If the claim is worth filing
File with your carrier directly. They'll assign an adjuster who typically inspects within 5–14 days. Have your roofer present at the adjuster meeting — this is where claims get under-scoped if you're alone.
Common items that get missed on first-pass Broken Arrow scopes: ridge cap, gutter screens, decking spot repair, and step flashing at chimneys. A good roofer respectfully supplements these. Most carriers approve the supplement when the documentation is tight.
Frequently asked
How big does hail have to be to damage a roof in Broken Arrow?
Typically 1" (quarter-sized) or larger creates documentable bruising on architectural shingles. Smaller hail can damage older 3-tab shingles or roofs nearing end-of-life. The only way to know is an on-roof inspection.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Most Oklahoma carriers require claims within one year of date of loss. Don't wait — documentation degrades over time, and other storms can complicate the timeline.
Does filing a claim raise my rates?
A single weather-related claim in Oklahoma typically doesn't, because they're not at-fault claims. Multiple weather claims over a short window can. Talk to your agent if you're uncertain.
What if I already had a contractor say there's no damage?
Get a second opinion. We routinely find documentable damage on roofs that were dismissed from the ground or by a brief inspection.