After a Cheyenne hailstorm, act within the first 24–72 hours: stay safe and check for interior leaks, document the damage with photos from the ground, make only safe temporary repairs to stop water getting in, then contact your insurance company and schedule a professional roof inspection. Because much hail damage is invisible from the ground, a documented inspection protects both your roof and your insurance claim.
Quick answer
In the first 24–72 hours after hail: (1) stay safe and check for interior leaks, (2) photograph the damage from the ground, (3) make only safe temporary repairs and keep receipts, (4) call your insurer to open a claim and confirm your deductible and deadlines, and (5) get a professional, documented roof inspection. Don’t climb the roof, and don’t sign with a door-knocking “storm chaser.”
| After a Cheyenne hailstorm | What to do |
|---|---|
| Timeframe | Act within 24–72 hours; report the loss promptly |
| Safety first | Check for interior leaks; stay off the roof |
| Document | Dated photos/video from the ground; keep a claim file |
| Insurance | Call your insurer; keep every receipt |
| Inspection | Book a licensed local roofer for a documented check |
| Avoid | Storm chasers, upfront cash, deductible “rebates” |
What should I do first after hail hits my roof in Cheyenne?
Start inside, not on the roof. Check ceilings and the attic for leaks, water stains, or sagging, and put buckets under any active drips. Cheyenne sits in one of the windiest areas of the country, and climbing a hail-slick or steep roof is how people get hurt — leave the on-roof inspection to a professional. If water is actively coming in, our emergency roof repair team can help stabilize it.
How do I document hail damage for an insurance claim?
Photograph and video everything from the ground, dated to the storm. The Insurance Information Institute advises photographing the damage and then taking reasonable steps to protect the property from further damage. Capture:
- The roof, gutters, and downspouts (granules collecting in gutters are a hail tell-tale)
- Dents on metal flashing, vents, gutters, and window screens
- Any interior water stains or ceiling damage
- Broken or damaged siding, AC fins, and outdoor items hit in the same storm
Keep every photo, estimate, receipt, and message in a single claim file, and don’t discard damaged materials until the adjuster has seen them.
Should I make temporary repairs myself?
Only if you can do it safely. Insurers expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage — and they often reimburse that spending — but a loose tarp on a windy Cheyenne day can be dangerous and can cause more harm. Contain interior water where you safely can, save the receipts, and don’t over-spend on temporary fixes.
Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?
Do both, in the right order. Call your insurer to open the claim and confirm your coverage, deductible, and deadlines, then get a licensed local roofer to inspect and document the damage. The III specifically advises not to authorize permanent repairs until the adjuster has approved the price. A reputable roofer will meet your adjuster on-site and speak the same language about scope. Learn what our hail damage roof restoration and storm damage restoration services include.
How do I know if I even have hail damage? It’s often invisible
Much hail damage can’t be seen from the ground. Hail bruises shingles, knocks off the protective granules, and can fracture the shingle mat; on metal it usually leaves dents. Research from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has found that repeated smaller, “sub-severe” hail plus normal weathering makes shingles far more vulnerable over time — so damage can be real even after a storm that didn’t seem extreme. If you’re not sure whether it was hail or wind, see hail damage vs. wind damage.
Watch out for storm chasers
After a hailstorm, out-of-town “storm chasers” canvass Cheyenne neighborhoods. Be wary of anyone who shows up uninvited, pressures you to sign immediately, asks for large cash payments up front, or offers to “cover your deductible.” In Wyoming, a storm-repair solicitor legally cannot pay or rebate any part of your insurance deductible (Wyo. Stat. § 40-12-702). For how to vet a contractor, read storm chasers vs. local roofers.
Step-by-step: what to do after hail damage
- Stay safe and check inside first — Look for interior leaks and sagging; stay off the roof.
- Document from the ground — Dated photos/video of roof, gutters, flashing, and interior; keep a claim file.
- Make only safe temporary repairs — Contain water where safe; save receipts for reimbursement.
- Contact your insurer — Confirm coverage, deductible, and deadlines; open the claim.
- Get a documented professional inspection — Licensed local roofer; don’t authorize permanent repairs before the adjuster approves.
- Hire a licensed local contractor — Verify Cheyenne licensing and insurance; avoid storm chasers and deductible “rebates.”
This guide is part of our complete Cheyenne hail & storm damage guide. When you’re ready, book a free, documented roof assessment.
Written & reviewed by the Pete’s Builders team
Pete’s Builders is a locally owned Cheyenne, Wyoming roofing contractor serving homeowners and businesses since 2015. Our crews inspect, document, and repair hail- and wind-damaged roofs across Cheyenne, Laramie, Burns, and Scottsbluff through every storm season, and we help homeowners document damage for their insurance claims. We are licensed & insured, A+ rated by the BBB, an NRCA member, and OSHA-30 certified.
📍 1816 Central Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001 · 📞 (307) 514-5489
This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Coverage, deadlines, and deductibles vary by policy — always read your own policy and, when in doubt, contact the Wyoming Department of Insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim in Wyoming?
Your policy sets the deadline, not a single state law. Most homeowner policies require you to report a loss promptly and contain a suit-limitation clause (often one to two years from the date of loss) and a proof-of-loss deadline. Wyoming’s general statute of limitations for written contracts is 10 years (Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105), but your policy’s shorter deadlines control your claim — read your policy and report the damage right away.
Does hail damage always mean a full roof replacement?
No. Whether you need a repair or a full replacement depends on how much of the roof is affected and how severe the bruising, granule loss, or fracturing is. A documented professional inspection determines repair vs. replacement — don’t assume either based on what you can see from the ground.
Will filing a hail claim raise my insurance rates?
It varies by insurer and your claims history. Hail is a weather event, and many insurers treat weather/catastrophe claims differently than at-fault claims — ask your agent how a claim would affect your specific policy before you decide.
Can I get a free hail damage inspection in Cheyenne?
Yes. Pete’s Builders offers free, no-obligation roof inspections across Cheyenne and SE Wyoming, with photo documentation you can use for an insurance claim. See our free roof assessment or free roof inspection pages.
How much does hail damage roof repair cost in Cheyenne?
It depends on the size and pitch of the roof, the materials, and how far the damage has spread — which is why an on-site inspection is the only accurate estimate. See our roof replacement cost guide for Cheyenne for the factors that drive price.
Sources & further reading
- NWS Cheyenne — Hail Climatology
- Insurance Information Institute — How to file a homeowners claim
- Insurance Information Institute — Settling insurance claims after a disaster
- IBHS — Impact Resistance Test Protocol for Asphalt Shingles
- Wyoming Department of Insurance — Consumers
- Wyo. Stat. § 40-12-702 — Exterior storm damage repair solicitations