Signs of wind damage after a storm
- Missing shingles, or shingles lying in the yard and flower beds
- Lifted or curled shingle tabs that no longer lie flat
- Horizontal crease lines across shingles that were bent back and flopped down
- Exposed roof decking, felt, or a checkerboard of bare spots
- Torn or displaced flashing, ridge cap, drip edge, or vent boots
- Debris impact, downed limbs on the roof, or a leaning fence as a wind proxy
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
$500–$18,000
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: Inspection within days; spot repairs often within a week, full replacements about 2–5 weeks after claim approval.
Why lifted shingles fail even when they flop back down
Wind damage is deceptive because the evidence often hides itself. A gust lifts a shingle, breaks its factory adhesive seal and creases it, then the shingle flops back into place looking intact. But the seal is gone, the next moderate wind peels it, and the crease is a built-in crack that leaks. Adjusters look specifically for creasing and broken seals, not just outright missing shingles, which is why a proper inspection catches damage a ground-level glance misses.
Damage is directional: a single storm's winds hit one or two roof faces hardest, so the windward slopes fail first while the leeward side looks fine. Documenting the directional pattern is part of what makes a claim approvable.
What insurance typically covers
Windstorm is a covered peril on standard policies. Missing, creased, or lifted shingles and torn flashing are typically covered as repair or, when damage is widespread, full replacement.
Repair, replacement, and your deductible
Spot repairs for a few missing shingles are inexpensive; widespread wind damage is approved as a full replacement. The typical insured project value spans $500–$18,000. On a covered claim you pay your deductible, commonly $500–$2,500 flat or 1%–5% of dwelling coverage for a separate wind/hail deductible, and insurance funds the rest.
A recurring dispute: the carrier approves replacing only the handful of missing shingles, but your shingle line is discontinued and the new ones won't match or bond to the old. That's where matching rules and a contractor fluent in supplements matter, see roof deductibles explained and, if the first offer is short, what to do when a roof claim is denied or underpaid.
Move fast, wind damage invites water damage
Every exposed slope is a leak waiting for the next rain, and your policy's duty to mitigate means you're expected to prevent further damage in the meantime, get emergency tarping if decking is exposed. Report promptly, too: claim deadlines are set by your policy and state and are often shorter than homeowners expect.
How we vet the pro you talk to
You get matched to one vetted, licensed and insured local roofer, never resold to a call-center list. They inspect for free, document the directional wind pattern and broken seals your adjuster needs, and handle the repair or full replacement. No door-knockers, no pressure to sign on the spot.
What the inspection and repair include
The typical scope of a covered wind project:
- Replace missing/creased shingles and re-seal lifted tabs
- Re-secure or replace flashing, ridge caps, and vents
- Full replacement when wind damage is widespread
- Documentation of directional wind pattern for the adjuster
Think you have wind damage roof repair?
Answer six quick questions and a vetted local pro calls to inspect for free and help document your claim. Under 60 seconds.
Wind damage roof repair FAQ
Is wind damage to a roof covered by homeowners insurance?
Yes, windstorm is a covered peril on standard homeowners policies. Missing, creased, and lifted shingles and torn flashing are typically covered as a repair, or a full replacement when the damage is widespread. Your out-of-pocket is your deductible.
How much wind does it take to damage a roof?
Older or poorly sealed asphalt shingles can start lifting around 45–55 mph gusts; most shingles are rated to 90–130 mph when properly sealed, but age, prior hail bruising, and installation quality lower that in the real world. You don't need a named storm, a strong thunderstorm gust front is enough.
The insurance company only wants to replace a few shingles. Is that right?
Often it's not the full picture. If your shingle line is discontinued, new shingles may not match or seal to the old ones, and many states have matching rules that affect how much must be replaced. A contractor who documents broken seals across the slope and files a supplement frequently recovers a fair scope. If your claim is underpaid, our denial guide walks through your options.
My shingles look fine but some are in the yard, do I still have a claim?
Very likely. Shingles in the yard mean the wind broke seals across that slope, and the ones still on the roof may be creased or lifted even if they flopped back flat. Get a free inspection before the next rain finds the weak spots, and tarp any exposed decking to meet your duty to mitigate.
How fast can someone repair my wind-damaged roof?
For exposed decking or an active leak, call now, emergency tarping is usually same-day. Non-emergency inspections are typically scheduled within a day or two, spot repairs within about a week, and full replacements roughly 2–5 weeks after the claim is approved.
Have an active leak right now? Call (888) 555-0122 for 24/7 emergency response.
Keep reading
Insurance-claim guides
Related storm damage
Get a free storm damage inspection
A vetted, licensed local pro inspects for free, documents everything for your claim, and works with your adjuster. Matched to one pro, never resold.