Storm Damage Roof Inspections & Insurance Claims in Des Moines
Think a storm got your roof? A free inspection gets you the facts first. If there's real damage, it could save you from paying for a new roof out of pocket. If there isn't, we'll tell you that too.
If hail or wind damaged your roof, your homeowners insurance may cover the repair or replacement, minus your deductible. Every policy and every roof is different, and not every roof qualifies. A free inspection tells you whether there's real storm damage before you decide anything.
- Free inspection with photos of what we find
- A straight answer, even when it's "no claim here"
- We never pay, waive or rebate deductibles
- Your claim decisions stay between you and your insurer
A 45-Minute Inspection vs. a Roof You Pay for Yourself
A full roof replacement in the Des Moines area often runs anywhere from about $8,000 to $25,000 or more (see typical roof costs). When a storm causes covered damage, homeowners often pay just their deductible.
Here's the catch: storm damage isn't always obvious from the ground. Bruised shingles and broken seals can look fine for a year or two, then start leaking. By then it can be hard to tie the damage to one storm, and many policies limit how long you have to file.
So if a storm rolled through and something looks off (dented gutters, shingle pieces in the yard, granules piling up at the downspouts), it's worth having someone who isn't selling you a claim take a look.
Two ways it usually goes
Either way, the inspection is free and you walk away knowing where your roof stands.
What Hail, Wind and Iowa Winters Do to a Roof
Central Iowa throws a little of everything at a house. Here's what each one actually does.
Hail
Hail bruises shingles and knocks off the protective granules, which exposes the asphalt to sun and water. It also dents gutters, vents and flashing. Damage often starts around quarter size (1 inch), and bigger, harder hail does more of it.
Wind
Strong gusts get under shingle edges, break the seal strips that hold them down, and crease or tear tabs off. A shingle can look fine after it's been lifted, then blow off in the next storm. Severe storms here bring gusts of 58 mph and up, and the 2020 derecho topped 75 mph.
Trees & debris
Falling limbs puncture shingles and crack decking. Even branches that just rub the roof during a storm wear through shingles over time.
Ice dams
Snow melts, refreezes at the cold eaves and backs water up under the shingles. Usually a ventilation issue more than a storm issue.
Freeze-thaw
Water in small cracks freezes and expands, making them bigger every winter.
Heavy rain
Wind-driven rain finds weak flashing around chimneys, vents and walls.
Age & wear
Normal aging isn't storm damage, and insurance usually won't treat it that way. We'll tell you which is which.
Want to check from the ground first? Read how to spot hidden storm damage and what to check after a hailstorm.
Recent Des Moines-Area Storms
A few of the storms that have damaged roofs around the metro in recent years. If your roof has been through one of these, it's worth a look.
- Aug 10, 2020
The derecho
Hurricane-force winds swept the whole metro in late morning. The National Weather Service recorded a 75 mph gust at Des Moines International Airport and 78 mph at the Ankeny airport, with about 85 mph reported near Urbandale. Roof and tree damage stretched from West Des Moines and Clive to Windsor Heights, Urbandale and Saylorville.
Source: National Weather Service - Mar 5, 2022
The Winterset tornado
An EF4 tornado tracked from Madison County across the southeast edge of the metro, with EF1 to EF2 damage around Norwalk and Pleasant Hill.
Source: Summary of NWS survey - Jul 30–31, 2024
Late-July hail
Quarter- to half-dollar-size hail (1 to 1.25 inches) was reported around Des Moines, Ankeny and Windsor Heights.
Source: Storm reports - Spring 2025
Two hail days
Quarter-size hail hit Windsor Heights and Urbandale on March 14, then Norwalk, West Des Moines and Bondurant on May 19.
Source: Storm reports - Jul 20–21, 2026
Hail, wind & flooding
Storms crossed Ankeny, Des Moines, West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive, Altoona and Saylorville, with about 1-inch hail in West Des Moines and Waukee and gusts near 60 mph around Ankeny.
Source: National Weather Service (preliminary)
Storms hit block by block. Being near a storm doesn't mean your roof was damaged, and a house a few streets away can come through fine. That's why we look at your roof instead of guessing.
From "I Think a Storm Got Us" to a Fixed Roof
Call or request a free inspection
Tell us when the storm hit and what you've noticed. We'll set a time that works for you.
We inspect and photograph everything
Shingles, ridge, flashing, vents, gutters, downspouts, siding and windows. You get the photos.
You get a straight answer
Whether we see storm damage, how much, and what we'd recommend. If it doesn't look like a claim, we'll say so.
You decide whether to file
If you file, you work directly with your insurance company. We can give you our photos and a written estimate, and if you want, we can be there when the adjuster inspects so they see what we documented.
We do the work
Once you're ready, our own crews do the repair or replacement, and Omer does the final walk-around with you.
Not Every Roof Qualifies
We'd rather lose a job than oversell one. A few honest truths about storm claims:
- Normal wear and age aren't storm damage, and insurance usually won't pay for them.
- Some policies have a separate wind/hail deductible, sometimes a percentage of your home's value. It can be more than the repair.
- Coverage, depreciation and deadlines depend on your policy. Your agent is the one to ask.
- We can't promise any claim will be approved. Anyone who does is guessing.
What we can promise: an honest inspection, clear photos and a straight answer, free.
Playing It Straight, by Iowa Law and by Choice
Iowa law protects homeowners after storms, and we follow it to the letter:
- We never pay, waive or rebate your deductible. Iowa law doesn't allow it, and a roofer who offers is a red flag.
- We don't negotiate your claim for you. Iowa contractors can't represent homeowners with their insurance company. We inspect, document and estimate; the claim is yours.
- You get your storm-repair rights in writing. For storm work we provide the written notice of your rights that Iowa law requires, before you sign.
- No door-to-door pressure. We don't chase storms. We're a Des Moines company that's been here since 2006 and will still be here after your claim.
Storm-chaser warning signs
- Offers to "cover" or "eat" your deductible
- Says they'll handle your insurance company for you
- Pushes you to sign today
- Out-of-state plates and no local office
- Asks for a big payment before any work
Ultimate Exteriors: Iowa Contractor Reg. #C132501 · BBB A+ · Office on Merle Hay Road
Storm Damage & Insurance Questions
Will my homeowners insurance pay for a new roof after a storm?
It depends on your policy and on whether there's real hail or wind damage. Covered storm damage is often paid minus your deductible. Normal wear isn't covered. A free inspection tells you whether there's damage worth discussing with your insurer.
Is the storm damage inspection really free?
Yes. There's no cost and no obligation. You get photos and a straight answer either way.
How long do I have to file a claim after a storm?
It depends on your policy, and many policies set a time limit. Check with your insurance agent, and don't wait too long to get your roof looked at.
Will you pay or waive my deductible?
No. Iowa law prohibits contractors from offering to pay or rebate a deductible, and we wouldn't do it anyway.
Will you deal with my insurance company for me?
Iowa contractors aren't allowed to represent or negotiate for homeowners on a claim. We inspect, document the damage with photos and write an estimate. You work with your insurer, and we can be there when the adjuster inspects if you'd like.
Will filing a claim raise my insurance rates?
That depends on your insurance company and your claim history. Your agent can tell you how a claim would affect your policy.
What if my claim is denied?
You'll still get honest repair options and a fair price from us, and financing is available. Sometimes a targeted repair is all a roof needs.
My neighbors are getting new roofs. Does that mean I need one?
Not necessarily. Hail and wind hit unevenly, and roofs of different ages and materials hold up differently. An inspection is the only way to know.
This page is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Every policy is different; for coverage questions, talk with your insurance agent.
Schedule Your Free Storm Inspection
Call or send a request and we'll set up a time to look at your home. Every estimate is free and comes with a straight answer.
- Free, no-pressure written estimates
- Fast storm response
- Licensed, insured and BBB A+ accredited · Iowa Reg. #C132501
- Cash, check, card & financing available
- Call or text(515) 419-7459
- HoursMon – Sat: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Sun: Closed
- Service areaDes Moines & Central Iowa
Ready to Protect Your Home?
Get a free estimate from a local, family-owned exterior contractor. Financing available.
Not storm-related? Book a free roof inspection, or see roof repair and roof replacement cost.