When you need emergency tarping now
- Missing shingles or a hole with exposed decking or open sky
- A tree or large limb through the roof
- Active dripping into the home during or after a storm
- Blown-off ridge cap, flashing, or a peeled-back section of roof
- A storm is forecast and your roof is already compromised
- The adjuster can't come for days and rain is coming
Never climb a storm-damaged roof to check. A vetted local pro inspects it safely and for free, Call (888) 555-0122 or take the quiz.
Costs & what insurance covers
Typical insured project value
$300–$1,500
What the covered repair costs / what insurance funds, not your out-of-pocket.
Your real cost on a covered claim
$500–$2,500
Usually just your deductible (flat), or 1%–5% of dwelling coverage for a separate wind/hail deductible.
Typical timeline: 24/7 dispatch; most tarping is completed the same day to stop active water intrusion.
Why tarping is the right first move
Tarping is triage. A professional-grade tarp or shrink-wrap, properly anchored, keeps water out until a permanent repair can be scoped and scheduled, which is often days or weeks away once you factor in the adjuster visit and material lead times. Every rain that reaches exposed decking soaks insulation, saturates drywall, and can start mold within 48 hours, so the tarp frequently saves far more than it costs.
Done right, it's anchored and sealed to survive wind and further storms, not a blue poly tarp thrown over the ridge and weighted with bricks, which tears off in the next gust and can void the very protection you were trying to create.
What insurance reimburses, and the duty to mitigate
Reasonable emergency mitigation, tarping and board-up to prevent further damage, is reimbursable and, in fact, REQUIRED under your policy's 'duty to mitigate.' Keep receipts and photos; these costs are typically added to the claim.
Tarping is reimbursable, and expected
Reasonable emergency mitigation is not only reimbursable, it's REQUIRED under your policy's duty to mitigate: you're expected to prevent further damage after a loss. Keep receipts and before/after photos, these costs are typically added to your claim. Professional tarping commonly runs $300–$1,500, and it's usually paid back as part of the covered scope.
The homeowners who get burned are the ones who wait for the adjuster before doing anything, and let the interior soak in the meantime. Mitigate first, document as you go, then let the full roof or water-damage scope follow. See how to file a storm damage roof claim for the documentation order.
How we vet the pro you talk to
Call and you're routed to a local, licensed pro with 24/7 emergency dispatch, most tarping is completed the same day. They tarp or shrink-wrap the damaged area, board up broken openings, photograph everything for your claim, and hand off cleanly to a full inspection and repair scope. One vetted pro, never resold to a list.
What emergency tarping includes
The typical scope of an emergency tarping call:
- Professional-grade tarping / shrink-wrap of the damaged area
- Board-up of broken openings
- Photo documentation before/after for the claim
- Hand-off to a full inspection and repair scope
Think you have emergency roof tarping?
Answer six quick questions and a vetted local pro calls to inspect for free and help document your claim. Under 60 seconds.
Emergency roof tarping FAQ
How much does emergency roof tarping cost?
Professional tarping is relatively inexpensive compared with the interior damage it prevents, and it's usually reimbursed as part of your claim. The exact figure depends on roof size, pitch, and access, but because it satisfies your duty to mitigate, keeping receipts and photos means it typically gets added to the covered scope rather than coming out of pocket.
Will insurance pay for a tarp on my roof?
Yes, reasonable emergency mitigation like tarping and board-up is reimbursable and, in fact, expected. Your policy's duty to mitigate requires you to prevent further damage after a loss. Keep the receipt and before/after photos; the cost is typically added to your claim rather than deducted from your recovery.
Can I just tarp it myself?
For safety, no, a wet or storm-damaged roof is dangerous, and an improperly anchored tarp tears off in the next wind and can make the damage (and the claim) worse. A professional tarp is anchored and sealed to survive further storms. If you must do something before help arrives, contain interior drips and cut power to wet areas rather than climbing the roof.
How fast can someone tarp my roof?
For an active opening, call now, emergency tarping is usually completed the same day, 24/7. The faster the roof is covered, the less interior water damage, mold, and rebuild you'll face, which is exactly why it's the recommended first move.
Do I need to wait for the adjuster before tarping?
No, and waiting is the costly mistake. You're expected to mitigate immediately; you don't have to let your home soak until the adjuster arrives. Tarp first, document thoroughly with photos and receipts, and the mitigation cost gets folded into your claim.
Have an active leak right now? Call (888) 555-0122 for 24/7 emergency response.
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