Indiana storms don't make appointments. When a tree limb finds your roof or straight-line winds strip shingles, what you do in the first 48 hours determines how smooth — or miserable — the next two months are.
We've handled storm calls across Tippecanoe County, including a tree-through-the-roof repair you can see on our projects page. Here's the playbook.
Hour 1: safety first
- Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them — call the utility, not a contractor.
- If a tree is on the structure, keep everyone out of the rooms below it. Roof structures can fail progressively.
- Smell gas? Leave and call the utility from outside.
- Don't climb on a storm-damaged roof. Ever. That's what pros with harnesses are for.
Hours 2–24: document everything
- Photograph and video all damage from the ground and inside — wide shots and closeups, before anything is moved.
- Note the date and time of the storm; save local weather reports.
- Call your insurance company to open a claim — get the claim number and adjuster contact.
- Keep receipts for every emergency expense; most policies reimburse reasonable mitigation costs.
Hours 24–48: stop further damage
Insurers expect you to mitigate — meaning tarps over roof openings, boarded windows, water extraction. This is emergency work a contractor should do; get it documented and invoiced for the claim. What insurers do not expect is permanent repair before the adjuster sees the damage — don't let anyone rush you into signing a full-repair contract on your doorstep the morning after.
The repair (and the door-knocker warning)
- Get the adjuster's scope, then a detailed local bid against it — line items, not lump sums.
- Beware storm-chaser crews that follow weather across states: they knock doors, demand you sign an “assignment of benefits,” and disappear after the check clears. Verify local address, references and insurance.
- A proper repair sequence: structure first (framing, decking), then roofing, then exterior, then interior finishes — moisture readings before walls close.
- Keep every document; a well-run claim usually covers the full legitimate repair minus your deductible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance cover my storm damage?
Standard homeowner policies cover wind and falling-tree damage to structures, minus your deductible. Flood is separate. Document everything and open the claim quickly — policies have reporting windows.
Should I get my own contractor bid or use the insurer's number?
Get your own detailed local bid. Adjuster scopes are negotiable, and a line-item bid from a local contractor is the strongest tool for closing the gap.
Who removes the tree — tree service or contractor?
Tree off the structure: tree service. Tree ON the structure: contractor and tree service coordinated together, so the lift-off doesn't cause more structural damage. JPL coordinates both.
How fast can emergency tarping happen?
Same-day to next-day in most of Greater Lafayette, weather permitting. Call (708) 491-0744 — emergency mitigation comes before scheduled work.