KC storm response — what to do right now
After hail or wind hits Kansas City, here's the exact playbook: emergency steps, documentation, insurance, and next-day inspection.
Step 1: Document immediately
- Walk all 4 sides of your house. Photo every elevation from 10-15 ft back. Date-stamp if your phone allows.
- Look for: visible dents on gutters (round = hail, linear = debris), separation at miters, sagging mid-runs, missing downspouts.
- Photo any debris in your yard — broken branches, missing shingles, hail on grass (if still present).
- Note the storm date and approximate time. Cross-reference with the NWS report.
Step 2: Check the NWS storm report
Insurance adjusters cite National Weather Service storm reports as the gold standard for confirming hail size and wind speed. Check your storm date:
NWS Kansas City office: weather.gov/eax
NWS storm event database: ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents
Step 3: Get an independent inspection BEFORE you file
This is the single most important step. The contractor who inspects first sets the scope. If the insurance adjuster inspects first and writes a small scope, you're fighting uphill. Premier Gutters KC inspects free within 24-48 hours and gives you a written Xactimate-style scope you can take into the claim.
Step 4: File the claim
Call your carrier's claim line:
- State Farm — (800) 732-5246
- USAA — (800) 531-8722
- Shelter Insurance — (800) 743-5837
- American Family — (800) 692-6326
- Allstate — (800) 255-7828
- Farmers — (800) 435-7764
- Liberty Mutual — (800) 290-8711
- Nationwide — (800) 421-3535
- Progressive — (800) 776-4737
- AAA Insurance — (800) 222-7623
Emergency situations
| Situation | What to do RIGHT NOW |
|---|---|
| Downspout torn off, water dumping at foundation | Place a 5-gal bucket under the discharge or use a temporary tarp/extension. Call us for next-day repair. |
| Gutter section hanging from one end | Don't try to re-attach yourself. Stay off ladders in wet/windy conditions. Call us for next-day repair. |
| Visible roof damage AND gutter damage | Get the roofer scheduled first — gutters often need to be removed for roof work. Call us once roofer is scheduled. |
| Water inside basement after storm | This is a foundation drainage issue, often triggered by gutters. French drain evaluation needed in addition to gutter scope. |
After-storm FAQ
How fast should I get an inspection after hail or wind?
Within 7-14 days is ideal. Insurance carriers in MO and KS prefer documentation tied closely to the storm date. Premier Gutters KC inspects free within 24-48 hours of your call.
Should I file an insurance claim if I'm not sure if there's damage?
Get an inspection FIRST, then decide. Filing a claim that gets denied still goes on your loss history. We inspect free and tell you honestly whether it's worth filing.
What hail size damages gutters?
Generally 1" (quarter-size) or larger. Anything 1.25" (golf-ball) or above almost certainly leaves visible dents. Wind damage typically starts at sustained 50+ mph or gusts 60+ mph.
My downspout came off in the wind — emergency?
If water is running against your foundation right now, yes. Re-strap it with a downspout strap as a temporary fix and call us for next-day permanent repair. Avoid letting water pool against the foundation more than 24-48 hours.
What if my insurer denies the claim?
You have three options: invoke the appraisal clause in your policy (binding), file a complaint with the MO or KS Department of Insurance, or hire a public adjuster. See our insurance carrier pages for the carrier-specific path.
Related
Storm hit your house?
Free inspection within 24-48 hours. Written scope you can take to your adjuster.
Free Estimate Call (816) 469-9563