Don't let insurance lowball your hail claim.

When did the storm hit?

Enter the date of the storm so we can pull KC hail history and confirm the event with NOAA Storm Events records.

Photograph everything (use your phone)

Insurance adjusters love photos. Walk the property with your phone — iPhone/Android both embed GPS + timestamp into every photo, which proves when and where the damage was found.

Gutter damage to look for

• Dents on the side of the gutter (top-down view from a ladder, plus side view from the ground). Even small dents from 1" hail are claimable.
• Dings on the downspouts — especially on the front face. Photograph each one individually.
• Paint chipped off exposing bare aluminum — obvious hail impact.
• Bent gutter sections or sections pulled loose from the fascia.
• Splash guards or end caps torn off.
• Granules in the gutter — if your roof shingles are losing granules, they end up in the gutter. Photograph the buildup.

Other property damage to capture in the same visit

• Roof shingles — bruising, missing granules, exposed mat. Adjusters often combine roof + gutter claims.
• Soffit and fascia — dents, holes, paint damage.
• AC unit fins — bent fins are a tell-tale sign of hail size.
• Windows + screens — cracked screens, broken seals.
• Siding — especially vinyl, which dents easily.
• Car windshields and hoods — this dates the storm even if you can't find hail still on the ground.
• Mailbox, fence, deck — corroborating evidence.
• Hail on the ground — if any is left, put a coin or ruler next to it for scale.

Get a free contractor inspection BEFORE calling insurance

This is the most underused move in the playbook. Have a gutter contractor (us) walk your property and write up the damage in our own report. We catch what you can't see (back of the house, valley areas, hidden hangers).

Why before calling insurance:

• We can tell you if it's worth filing (some damage is below your deductible)
• We can meet the adjuster on-site, which catches "we don't see damage" disputes
• We document gutter age and replacement cost in writing — useful if your policy is ACV
• Our report becomes evidence if the insurer underpays

Call your insurance company (use this script)

When you call to file, you want to be factual and specific. Don't speculate. Don't say "I think." Read this:

What to NOT say

• "I think it might be hail." — You documented hail damage. State facts.
• "I'm not sure when the storm was." — You wrote down the date. Read it.
• "My neighbors had damage too." — They're not on your policy. Stay focused on your property.
• "My gutters were already old." — Even if true, this hurts your settlement. Let the contractor report establish condition.

Meet the adjuster (have your contractor there)

Adjusters visit within 1-2 weeks usually. The visit is 30-60 minutes. Have:

• Your printed photo binder (or photos pulled up on a tablet)
• Your contractor's inspection report
• Your insurance policy declarations page (so you know your deductible)
• Your contractor on-site (us) to walk the property with the adjuster

If the adjuster says "I don't see damage," ask them to physically touch each item you flagged. Most damage is visible only from certain angles. Having the contractor point it out catches 80% of "no damage" disputes before they happen.

After you get the settlement

The insurer sends you a written estimate. Compare it to your contractor's quote.

• If the settlement matches your contractor's quote: Sign off, schedule the work, deposit the check.
• If the settlement is lower than the actual cost: Don't sign yet. Have the contractor write a "scope difference" letter explaining what was missed. Send it to the adjuster and ask for a supplemental.
• If the insurer denies the claim: You can request a reinspection with a senior adjuster, file with the Missouri (or Kansas) Department of Insurance, or hire a public adjuster (they take 10-15% but recover significantly more on contested claims).
• If you have a replacement-cost policy: Insurance pays the ACV (depreciated) first, then the recoverable depreciation (the rest) AFTER you complete the work. Save receipts.