After a night of powerful storms swept through Joplin, Missouri, Ridgeline Roofing & Solar spent the day helping homeowners assess roof damage caused by high winds and falling tree limbs. While severe storms often bring concerns about roof leaks and structural damage, not every issue requires an insurance claim.
Knowing the difference between a simple repair and an insurance loss can save homeowners both time and money.
Tree Limb Damage Is One of the Most Common Storm Repairs
Following this storm, much of the damage wasn’t caused by hail. Instead, it came from branches and tree limbs falling onto roofs.
Even a relatively small limb can cause significant localized damage, including:
- Broken or cracked shingles
- Holes in the roof decking
- Compression fractures in the wood decking
- Water intrusion if left unrepaired
The good news is that these types of repairs are often straightforward when addressed quickly.
Not Every Roof Repair Needs an Insurance Claim
Many homeowners assume any storm damage should automatically be reported to their insurance company. In reality, that isn’t always the best course of action.
Minor storm damage such as:
- A few damaged shingles
- Small punctures from branches
- Localized decking repairs
can often be repaired at a reasonable cost without involving insurance.
Filing unnecessary claims may not always benefit the homeowner, especially when repair costs fall below or only slightly exceed the deductible.
A professional inspection can help determine whether a repair or insurance claim makes the most financial sense.
Beware of Storm Chasing Roofing Companies
Unfortunately, severe weather often brings roofing contractors from outside the area looking for work.
Before hiring anyone who knocks on your door after a storm, take a few minutes to verify their credentials.
Always confirm that your contractor carries:
- General liability insurance
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Proper licensing where required
- A local reputation you can verify
One important point many homeowners don’t realize is that crew insurance is not the same as contractor insurance.
If a contractor cannot provide proof of their own workers’ compensation and liability coverage, you could be exposed to unnecessary liability if someone is injured while working on your property.
Why Working with a Local Roofing Contractor Matters
Local roofing companies have a long-term investment in the communities they serve.
Choosing an established local contractor offers several advantages:
- Faster response after storms
- Ongoing warranty support
- Knowledge of regional weather conditions
- A reputation built through local customers, not temporary storm work
When questions arise months or even years later, you’ll know exactly who to call.
Schedule a Storm Damage Inspection Before Leaks Develop
Storm damage isn’t always obvious from the ground. A small puncture or cracked shingle today can become a costly interior leak after the next rainfall.
A professional inspection helps identify hidden damage before it turns into expensive repairs.
Did last night’s storm leave you wondering about your roof? Let our experienced team inspect it before small damage becomes a bigger problem. Contact us today or Get a Free Roof Quote Now!!
Hear Tim’s Thoughts
Video Transcript: "Hey, it's Tim Yates with Ridgeline Roofing and Solar.
I'm with Josh Vaughan today, and we're just doing some roof repairs after last night's storm.
Hope everybody made it through that okay. It was crazy at my house.
So this just had a small branch hit the roof, and it caused a hole in the decking here,
and it caused a compression fracture in the decking here, and it also smashed a shingle, of course.
So we're going to dry those in. These are not the types of damage that you would call your insurance on.
Most of these repairs are really cheap to do and they don't cost your roofers a whole lot of money, just a little bit of time, a little bit of material.
So filing insurance claims on this kind of stuff is probably not beneficial for you.
Also, there's a whole bunch of companies in town that I've never heard of that are here working now.
And I just want to advise everybody, if you're going to use somebody that you're not familiar with,
somebody comes knocking on your door, check them out.
Make sure they have insurance. Make sure they have workers' comp and liability.
If somebody gets on your roof, they don't have workers' compensation, and they fall and break their neck, that's your responsibility at that point, and that's no good.
So also, they'll try to present you with their crew's insurance paperwork.
Don't do that. Make sure they have their own insurance. That's the only way to do it right.
And if you have any questions about your roof, you have any damage, residential, or commercial, we're glad to help. 417-529-2419. Thank you."