DFW Storm Team

Consumer education

Know what to do

Plain-language guidance for DFW homeowners, renters and business owners. Independent, with nothing to sell you.

Plain-language guides Scam red flags Nothing to sell

Before the storm

  • Photograph your roof, siding and vehicles now — a clean 'before' set is your strongest evidence.
  • Store your policy number, deductible and carrier claim line offline.
  • Park under cover, secure patio furniture and trim weak limbs early in the season.

During the storm

  • Move to an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
  • Never shelter in a vehicle or under an overpass during a tornado warning.
  • Keep a charged phone and a battery radio; sirens are outdoor warning only.

After the storm

  • Photograph damage before any cleanup or temporary repairs.
  • Make only reasonable emergency repairs and keep every receipt.
  • Verify anyone who knocks on your door before letting them on your roof.

Claims, step by step

  1. 01

    Document before you call

    Photograph every elevation, every room, and every vehicle. Timestamped photos and video beat memory in every claim conversation.

  2. 02

    Report the loss yourself

    You — not a contractor — should open the claim with your carrier. Record the claim number, adjuster name and direct phone line.

  3. 03

    Understand your policy

    Know your wind/hail deductible, whether you carry RCV or ACV coverage, and any roof-age or cosmetic-damage endorsement.

  4. 04

    Get independent estimates

    Compare the adjuster's scope line-by-line with a licensed contractor's estimate. Ask about supplements for missed items.

  5. 05

    Never sign what you don't understand

    Avoid contingency contracts, AOB forms and 'we'll waive your deductible' offers. Waiving a deductible is insurance fraud in Texas.

Insurance terms decoded

ACV vs RCV
Actual cash value pays depreciated value; replacement cost value pays to replace, often in two payments.
Wind/hail deductible
A separate, often percentage-based deductible that applies only to wind and hail losses in Texas.
Cosmetic damage waiver
An endorsement that excludes dents that don't affect function — common on metal roofs and HVAC.
Supplement
A request to your carrier for additional payment when the original scope missed items.
Assignment of benefits
A form transferring your claim rights to a contractor. Rarely in your interest — read carefully.
Public adjuster
A TDI-licensed professional who represents you, not the carrier, for a fee. Verify the license.

Scam warnings

Door-knockers with out-of-state plates

Storm chasers follow hail swaths, sell jobs fast and leave before the warranty matters. Ask for a Texas address and years in DFW.

"We'll waive your deductible"

It's illegal in Texas. If a company offers it, they're prepared to commit fraud in your name.

Big deposits up front

Reputable contractors bill at material delivery and completion — not thousands of dollars before a truck ever arrives.

Contingency contracts on the hood of a truck

Signing an 'inspection authorization' can bind you to a contractor for the entire claim. Read every line first.

Unlicensed public adjusters

Public adjusters must be licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance. Verify the license number before signing anything.

Pressure to decide today

Real damage is still there tomorrow. Urgency is a sales tactic, not a roof condition.

Next step

Ready to protect your claim?

Document the damage while it's fresh, save a private record, and only then talk to anyone about repairs.

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