We Had 85 MPH Winds Last Night. Should I File an Insurance Claim?
Storms Continue to damage homes across kansas city
We Had 85 MPH Winds Last Night. Should I File an Insurance Claim?
If your home was in the path of last night's storms, you're probably asking yourself one question this morning: "Should I file an insurance claim?"
The answer might surprise you. Not every storm should result in an insurance claim.
In fact, filing the wrong claim can sometimes cost homeowners money, create unnecessary headaches, or leave them with a claim on their record that provided little or no benefit.
Before you call your insurance company, let's walk through what you should do first, what damage to look for, and how to determine whether filing a claim actually makes sense. If you're still unsure, give us a call. We have more than a decade of experience working as inside property adjusters for insurance companies. We know the guidelines like the back of our hand. Remember, filing a claim with damage does not guarantee coverage, but we can help you understand the odds of your claim being covered.
Step 1: Don't Start with Your Insurance Company
Most homeowners think the first call should be to their insurance carrier.
In reality, the first step is understanding the extent of the damage. After a major wind event, damage isn't always limited to the roof.
Strong winds can impact:
- Roofing
- Gutters
- Siding
- Windows
- Fences
- Decks
- HVAC equipment
- Electrical systems
- Trees and landscaping
- Detached garages and sheds
- Appliances
One of our customers even had their electrical service ripped off the side of their home when a power line was brought down by the wind.
The key is understanding the full scope of damage before deciding whether a claim is warranted.
What Should I Look For After a Wind Storm?
Start with a walk around your property. Look for and take pictures or video of:
Roofing Damage
- Missing shingles
- Lifted shingles
- Creased shingles
- Exposed roofing felt
- Debris impact damage
Gutter Damage
- Detached gutters
- Bent downspouts
- Sagging sections
- Pulling away from fascia
Siding Damage
- Cracked panels
- Loose siding
- Missing pieces
- Trim damage
Electrical Concerns
- Pulled meter bases
- Damaged weather heads
- Downed service lines
- Flickering power
- Appliances not working
HVAC Damage
- Damaged condenser units
- Debris impact
- Electrical damage
Tree Damage
- Limbs on structures
- Damaged fences
- Impacted roofs
If you see any of these conditions, it's a good idea to have the property professionally evaluated.
When Should I Have an Inspection Done?
Decision-making advice: Inspection Timing
| What Happened to Your Home? | What Should You Do? |
|---|---|
| I can see missing shingles or roof damage | Get an inspection immediately |
| A tree hit my house or roof | Get an inspection immediately |
| My siding or gutters were damaged | Get an inspection immediately |
| My neighbors have damage but I don't see any on my house | Schedule an inspection within a few days |
| We experienced 70+ mph winds | Schedule an inspection within a week |
| Everything looks fine but the storm was severe | Consider a preventative inspection |
| My roof is older than 10 years | An inspection is a good idea |
| I'm not sure if there's damage | Have a professional take a look |
When Should I File an Insurance Claim?
This is where many homeowners make mistakes.
A claim should generally be filed when the covered damage exceeds your deductible and creates a meaningful financial benefit.
Good Reasons to File a Claim
- Significant roof damage
- Multiple damaged building components
- Structural damage
- Electrical service damage
- Large tree impacts
- Interior water damage
Reasons You May Want to Wait
- Damage below deductible
- Minor cosmetic issues
- Damage that can be repaired inexpensively
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is filing a claim before understanding the value of the damage.
A Simple Claim Decision Matrix
The goal is to make an informed decision rather than an emotional one.
| What Happened to Your Home? | What Should You Do? |
|---|---|
| I can see missing shingles or roof damage | Get an inspection immediately |
| A tree hit my house or roof | Get an inspection immediately |
| My siding or gutters were damaged | Get an inspection immediately |
| My neighbors have damage but I don't see any on my house | Schedule an inspection within a few days |
| We experienced 70+ mph winds | Schedule an inspection within a week |
| Everything looks fine but the storm was severe | Consider a preventative inspection |
| My roof is older than 10 years | An inspection is a good idea |
| I'm not sure if there's damage | Have a professional take a look |
What About Spoiled Food?
This is one of the most common questions after widespread power outages.
Many policies provide limited coverage for spoiled food. However, homeowners should be cautious about filing a claim solely for food loss.
Why? Usually, the value of spoiled food often falls below deductibles or provides very little financial benefit.
Nobody wants a claim on their record for a few hundred dollars worth of groceries.
Every policy is different, but it's worth evaluating the overall financial impact before filing.
Can Multiple Types of Damage Increase Coverage?
Absolutely.
Many homeowners only look at one damaged item. Insurance companies evaluate the entire loss.
For example:
A homeowner may initially notice:
- Missing shingles
But the storm may have also damaged:
- Gutters or Gutter Guards
- Siding
- Window screens
- Decking
- Fence sections
- HVAC equipment
- Electrical systems
- Appliances
The total covered damage can sometimes be substantially higher when the entire property is evaluated.
That's why a comprehensive inspection matters.
What If I Don't Know What Was Damaged?
That's completely normal.
Most homeowners aren't roofing contractors, electricians, HVAC technicians, or plumbers. Our job is to help identify storm-related damage and point homeowners in the right direction.
At Ranger Roofing & Exteriors, we can:
- Inspect roofing systems
- Evaluate siding and gutters
- Document all storm-related damage- even if it isn't roofing-related!
- Help determine whether a claim makes sense
- Assist with insurance documentation
If additional issues are discovered, we can also connect homeowners with trusted local professionals for:
- Electrical repairs
- HVAC repairs
- Plumbing concerns
- Tree removal
- Restoration services
Our goal is helping homeowners understand the full picture before making important insurance decisions.
What Questions Should I Ask Before Filing a Claim?
Ask yourself:
- Do I know the extent of the damage?
- Is the damage likely above my deductible?
- Have all affected areas been inspected?
- Is there interior damage?
- Are multiple building systems involved?
- Am I filing because of actual damage or because a storm occurred?
Those answers can help determine whether filing a claim makes sense.
The Bottom Line
Last night's 85 mph winds were serious. In fact- all of the storms we've had this year in Kansas City have been serious. Your home's lived through a lot this year.
Some homes escaped with little or no damage. Others experienced roofing, siding, gutter, electrical, HVAC, and structural issues.
The smartest first step isn't filing a claim, the smartest first step is understanding the full extent of the damage.
A professional inspection can help you determine what was affected, what repairs may be needed, and whether an insurance claim is likely to provide a meaningful benefit.
If your home was impacted by the storm, Ranger Roofing & Exteriors can help assess the damage, document findings, and connect you with trusted professionals for any additional repairs that may be needed.
How many Kansas City homes were impacted by storms this spring?
One March 10, 2026 hail event alone had an estimated 93,756 Kansas City, MO properties impacted by hail of 1 inch or larger, with reports of up to 4-inch hail near Weatherby Lake and large hail across Parkville, Liberty, Kansas City, Kansas, and surrounding areas. Spring storms can cause roof, siding, gutter, window, HVAC, and electrical damage, homeowners should schedule a full exterior inspection before deciding whether to file an insurance claim. If you were denied earlier this year, you may be eliegable now. Consider getting a re-inspection done if you were hit again by a storm.
Should I have my roof inspected after high winds even if I don’t see missing shingles?
Yes. High winds can lift, loosen, or crease shingles without tearing them completely off. That damage may not be visible from the ground, but it can weaken your roof and lead to leaks during the next storm. If your neighborhood experienced strong winds, fallen limbs, or nearby property damage, a professional inspection is a smart first step.
Does hail damage always mean I need a full roof replacement?
No. Some hail damage can be repaired, while widespread damage may require replacement. The decision depends on the age of your roof, the number of damaged shingles, the severity of granule loss, and whether other areas like gutters, siding, vents, or flashing were also damaged.
When should I file an insurance claim for storm damage?
You should usually file a claim when the total covered damage is likely higher than your deductible. Before filing, it helps to have the full property inspected so you know whether the damage includes the roof, gutters, siding, windows, fencing, HVAC, or electrical components. Filing for small losses below your deductible, such as spoiled food only, may not be worth it.
What should I do first after a Kansas City storm damages my home?
Start by checking for safety issues like downed power lines, active leaks, tree damage, or electrical damage. Then document visible damage with photos and schedule a professional inspection. Avoid making permanent repairs until the damage is documented, but take reasonable temporary steps to prevent further damage.
Can Ranger Roofing help if the storm damaged more than my roof?
Yes. Ranger Roofing & Exteriors can inspect your roof, siding, gutters, and exterior storm damage, then help you understand whether an insurance claim may make sense. If we see concerns involving electrical, HVAC, plumbing, trees, or restoration work, we can recommend trusted local professionals to help assess those areas too.with electrical, HVAC, plumbing, trees, or restoration work, we can recommend trusted local professionals to help assess those areas as well.
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