--- title: What to Do After a Hail Storm: 7-Step Guide for KC Homeowners | Premier Gutters KC description: KC averages 3-5 damaging hail storms each spring. Here's exactly what to do in the 48-72 hours after a storm to navigate your insurance claim with proper documentation. source_url: https://premiergutterskc.com/blog/what-to-do-after-hail-storm-kansas-city/ site: Premier Gutters KC phone: (816) 469-9563 --- [Home](/) / [Blog](/blog/) / Hail & Storm Damage # What to Do After a Hail Storm: 7-Step Guide for KC Homeowners 📅 April 30, 2026 ⏱ 6 min read 📁 Hail & Storm Damage 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 own claim (here's a starting 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](/blog/how-to-file-hail-claim-kansas-city/). Stay factual, don't speculate, request in-person adjuster (decline virtual inspection if offered). ### 7. Attend your adjuster inspection (you may invite your contractor as your contractor of record) 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](/tools/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. ### Related guides - [What hail size actually damages gutters in Missouri?](/blog/what-hail-size-damages-gutters-missouri/) - [Does homeowner's insurance cover gutter damage in KC?](/blog/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-gutter-damage/) - [How to file a hail damage claim in Kansas City](/blog/how-to-file-hail-claim-kansas-city/) - [Insurance company specific claim guides](/insurance/) ## Free post-storm inspection in 24-72 hours If you think you have hail damage, don't call insurance first. Call us. Free walk, written estimate, you can include us in your on-site inspection as your contractor of record. [Free inspection →](https://clienthub.getjobber.com/hubs/b7392efd-eb98-49b7-9077-712d133c7108/public/requests/4823418/new) [Call (816) 469-9563](tel:+18164699563)