Baccaro Roofing GuideWhat to Do When You Lose Shingles in a Storm
TL;DR: Lost shingles in an RGV storm? Within 4 hours: document with photos, tarp the exposed area if safe, save the loose shingles, call your insurance, then call us at (956) 600-0501. Don't climb a wet or damaged roof. Lost shingles are typically wind damage covered by your policy after the deductible.
The first 4 hours (in order)
### Hour 1: Safety check
- Confirm no injuries - No downed power lines - No structural damage threatening collapse - Check for water inside (active leaks need immediate mitigation)
### Hour 2: Document everything
From the ground (not on the roof — wet/damaged shingles are dangerous): - Photo every side of the roof with telephoto if possible - Photo any shingles in the yard before pickup - Video the damage with running commentary describing the storm time and conditions - Photo any interior water damage (ceiling stains, drips, walls)
Keep the loose shingles you find. Don't throw them away — they'll be evidence for your claim.
### Hour 3: Mitigate active leaks
If water is coming in: - Move furniture and electronics away from drip zones - Use buckets and tarps to contain water spread - Tarp the roof exterior ONLY if safe (low pitch, no continued storm activity, you have proper materials) - Otherwise call us at (956) 600-0501 — 24/7 emergency tarp service during named storms
Save all receipts for tarps, buckets, plastic sheeting, towels — these are reimbursable as mitigation costs.
### Hour 4: Call insurance + roofer
Call your insurance carrier: - Provide policy number - Briefly describe damage - Get a claim number - Schedule the adjuster
Call us: - (956) 600-0501 - We do free damage inspections - Document with photos for your claim - Meet your adjuster on-site - Tarp the roof to prevent further damage
Why time matters
Three reasons to move fast:
### 1. Mitigation duty
Texas insurance policies require you to mitigate damage promptly. If you wait 3 weeks to tarp and water continues entering, the carrier may deny the additional damage as "mitigation failure."
### 2. Storm-chaser scams
Out-of-state contractors swarm the RGV after every hurricane. By 48 hours post-storm, dozens of trucks are knocking on doors offering "free roof inspections." Many are scams. Have YOUR contractor scheduled before they show up.
### 3. Adjuster backlog
Major storms create surge demand. Adjusters get scheduled 2-4 weeks out. The earlier you call the carrier, the earlier you're in the queue.
What insurance typically covers
Lost shingles from wind are generally covered after your deductible. Specifics:
| Damage | Covered? | |--------|----------| | Wind-blown missing shingles | ✅ Yes (wind damage) | | Water intrusion from missing shingles | ✅ Yes | | Hail-damaged shingles | ✅ Yes | | Wear-and-tear losses (age) | ❌ No | | Cosmetic-only damage to undamaged shingles | ❌ Usually no | | Lost shingles on a 25+ year old roof | ⚠️ May depreciate heavily |
Your out-of-pocket is the deductible (typically $2,500-$8,000 in the RGV depending on policy).
What NOT to do
1. Don't climb the roof yourself — wet shingles, damaged decking, or hidden damage make this dangerous 2. Don't throw away the missing shingles — they're evidence 3. Don't make permanent repairs before adjuster — temporary tarping is OK, full replacement is not 4. Don't accept the first storm-chaser knock — get 2-3 quotes from local contractors 5. Don't sign anything written in the truck — take quotes home, compare, decide 6. Don't accept "we'll cover your deductible" — that's Texas insurance fraud (illegal, and may invalidate your claim)
Should I get the whole roof replaced?
Sometimes. Depends on: - Age of the roof (12+ years and 30%+ damage typically warrants replacement) - Damage scope (single-side wind damage may be repairable) - Insurance scope-of-loss (the adjuster will determine if the carrier will pay for replacement vs repair)
Our free inspection assesses honestly. If you only need 20 shingles replaced, we'll quote that. If you need replacement, we'll show you the math.
Common questions
### How fast can you respond?
Same-day or next-day for non-emergency in normal weeks. During named storm events, 3-7 days due to surge demand. Emergency tarp service 24/7 during hurricanes.
### Will the patches match?
For roofs 1-3 years old, usually yes — shingle bundles from the same manufacturer + product line are color-consistent. For 5+ year old roofs, color match is harder due to UV fading. Sometimes replacing a whole side is more aesthetic than spot-patching.
### Will my insurance increase my premium?
A single storm-related claim usually doesn't trigger a rate increase in Texas — these are categorized as "act of God." Multiple claims within a few years can affect rates.
### What if my roof is older than 15 years?
Some carriers depreciate older roofs heavily. Bring your declarations page when we inspect — we'll model what your real out-of-pocket might be.
### Should I tarp it myself?
Only if the roof is dry, low-pitch (under 6/12), no continued storm activity, you have proper materials, and you're physically able. Otherwise call us — risk of falls during emergency tarp work is real.
Get a free post-storm inspection
(956) 600-0501 — 24/7 emergency line during hurricane and named storm events. Free damage inspections. Direct adjuster coordination. Bilingual.
Related reading
- [Hurricane Prep for RGV Homeowners 2026](/blog/hurricane-prep-rgv-homeowners-2026) - [First 24 Hours After Storm Damage Checklist](/blog/first-24-hours-after-storm-damage) - [Storm Damage Roof Repair in the Rio Grande Valley](/blog/storm-damage-roof-repair-rio-grande-valley) - [How Insurance Claims Work for Roofing](/blog/how-insurance-claims-work-for-roofing) - [How to File a Roof Insurance Claim in Texas](/blog/how-to-file-a-roof-insurance-claim)
_Sources: [NOAA National Hurricane Center](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) · [Texas Department of Insurance — Storm Damage Claims](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/storms/) · [FEMA Hurricane Recovery](https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/hurricanes)._