Kansas City sits in tornado alley. We average 3-5 damaging hail storms every spring. If you've just been through one, here's the exact sequence that maximizes your insurance claim and minimizes the chance of secondary damage to your home.

The 7-step sequence

1. Stay inside until the storm fully clears

The biggest hail-related injury statistic isn't from the storm itself — it's from people running out to check on cars while the storm is still active. Wait until you don't hear anything for 10+ minutes. Tornado-warning storms can produce multiple rounds.

2. Take photos of any remaining hail with a ruler or coin

If hail is still on the ground, photograph it immediately. Place a quarter (1″) or a ruler next to it. This documents the storm size for your claim. Hail melts fast in spring temperatures — you have 15-30 minutes.

3. Check for emergency damage first

Walk around your home looking for:

  • Broken windows — board up immediately to prevent water intrusion
  • Punctured roof — if you can see daylight from the attic, you have a hole and need emergency emergency board-up
  • Gutters torn loose — if hanging, tape off the area below as a safety hazard
  • Tree on the house — call a tree service if branches are still attached and threatening
  • Power lines down — stay 30+ ft away, call your power company immediately

For emergency repairs (emergency board-up, board-up), keep all receipts. These are reimbursable through your insurance claim as "loss prevention" costs.

4. Document the full property (within 48 hours)

Walk the property with your phone. Photograph systematically — one side of the house at a time, ground level then ladder/zoom level. Get:

  • Gutters, downspouts, splash blocks
  • Roof (from ground with zoom; from attic if you can safely see it)
  • Siding (especially vinyl)
  • AC unit fins
  • Windows, screens
  • Car hoods, windshields, mirrors
  • Outdoor furniture, deck, fence, mailbox

iPhone and Android embed GPS + timestamp into every photo automatically. Don't compress or edit — preserve metadata.

5. Call a gutter contractor BEFORE insurance

This is the highest-impact move you can make. A free contractor inspection means:

  • You catch damage you can't see (top of gutters, back of house, valleys)
  • You get a written estimate to compare against the insurance settlement
  • The contractor can meet your adjuster on-site (huge for disputed claims)
  • You know whether the damage exceeds your deductible before filing

Call us at (816) 469-9563 — free inspection within 24-72 hours of your call. We're booked solid the week after major KC hail events but we add capacity quickly.

6. File your claim (use a script)

Call your insurer once you have:

  • Date of the storm
  • Photo documentation
  • Contractor inspection report
  • Knowledge of your deductible (check your declarations page)

Use the exact script from our How to File a Hail Claim guide. Stay factual, don't speculate, request in-person adjuster (decline virtual inspection if offered).

7. Meet the adjuster with your contractor present

Adjuster typically visits within 1-2 weeks. Have your contractor on-site for the walk. This is where settlements are won or lost — an adjuster walking the property with no contractor will undercount damage 60-80% of the time in our experience.

The KC hail season timeline

If you're new to KC, here's what to expect:

  • March: First spring storms begin. Usually smaller hail (1″ or less).
  • April: Peak hail month. Major events almost every year. April 26, 2024 was a recent landmark storm.
  • May: Continued severe weather, often combined with tornadoes.
  • June: Final spring hail. Less common but possible.
  • July-September: Summer storms with damaging wind, less hail.
  • October-November: Cold-air storms occasionally produce hail.
  • December-February: Generally safe from hail. Ice dam season instead.

Pre-storm prep (do this BEFORE the next storm)

  • Photo-document your home's current condition (no damage) so you have a baseline
  • Pull your insurance declarations page; know your deductible
  • Save Premier Gutters KC contact in your phone: (816) 469-9563
  • Identify a safe place to shelter (basement, interior bathroom)
  • Check that your gutters are clear — clogged gutters overflow during heavy rain regardless of hail
Don't wait for damage to happen. Bookmark our Hail Damage Claim Helper tool now so you have it ready when you need it. It walks you through every step interactively, with photo checklists and the adjuster script.

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