Hail just hit your Cape Fear home. What now?

Hail on the Cape Fear coast usually comes with spring cold fronts, from April through June. Warnings come from the National Weather Service office in Wilmington. If your wind and hail coverage is through the NCIUA Beach Plan, report the claim to NCIUA as well as, or instead of, the company that writes the rest of your homeowners coverage.

Step 1: When is it safe to look?

Short answer: wait for the thunder to stop, then check outside only if there are no downed lines or debris hazards. Lightning often lingers behind coastal storms.

Inside, look for water at ceilings, light fixtures and skylights. If water is near electrical fixtures, turn off that circuit at the breaker if you can do it safely. Do not climb on the roof or a ladder; wet shingles and metal are slick.

Step 2: What should your photos show?

Short answer: the hail itself, then the house from wide to close: each side, each roof slope from the ground, and every dent, crack or broken item, all with dates.

1. The stones. Before they melt in the heat, photograph several next to a coin or ruler. Note the time and how long the hail fell.
2. Wide shots. Each side of the house, then each roof slope you can see from the yard, the street or an upstairs window.
3. Close-ups. Gutters, downspouts, box vents, the heat pump, screens, window wraps, siding, the fence, and any metal porch or dock roof.
4. Granules. A fresh pile at a downspout outlet or in the gutter.
5. Inside. New ceiling stains or drips, with a wide shot showing which room.
6. Proof of the storm. Save any NWS Wilmington warning text or the storm report from the Storm Center.

Older dates matter here too. If you have photos of the roof from before the storm, put them in the same folder; on the coast they help answer "that was salt or age."

Step 3: Which temporary repairs should you make?

Short answer: the ones that keep more water out: a tarp over an opening, plywood over a broken window, and drying out wet areas. Keep receipts and photograph before and after.

Most policies require you to take reasonable steps to protect the property after a loss, and they usually pay reasonable costs for doing it. Hold off on permanent repairs until the adjuster has seen the damage or agreed in writing. See emergency tarping.

Step 4: Is it worth filing a claim?

Short answer: compare a roofer's damage estimate with the deductible that applies to hail on your property. On the coast, that may be a percentage wind and hail deductible, or a separate deductible on a NCIUA policy.

Many beach and near-beach homes have two policies: a homeowners policy for most perils and a NCIUA (Beach Plan) policy for wind and hail. Hail damage then usually goes to the NCIUA policy. A 2% deductible on a $400,000 dwelling limit is $8,000, so a few dented gutters may not be worth a claim. If you are not sure, ask your agent or insurer how a claim under the deductible is recorded. See wind and hail deductibles.

Step 5: How soon should you report it?

Short answer: as soon as you reasonably can. Policies require prompt notice, and North Carolina's standard policy provisions call for a sworn proof of loss within 60 days unless the insurer extends that.

When you call, write down the claim number, the adjuster's name and contact, the deductible that applies, and what the insurer wants from you next. Our questions for your insurer list covers the first call.

Step 6: Why not sign at the door?

Short answer: after every big coastal storm, out-of-area crews go door to door. A signature on a "free inspection" form can be a binding contract or a transfer of your claim rights.

Ask for a business card and a written estimate, and check the contractor before you sign anything. A contractor who offers to cover or waive your deductible may be overstating the loss to your insurer, which can create insurance-fraud problems for you. Treat it as a warning sign and ask your insurer. The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule can give you three business days to cancel certain door-to-door sales, but do not rely on canceling later. See how to check a roofer and storm chaser warning signs.

Step 7: How do you get ready for the adjuster?

Print the adjuster question list, gather your photos and receipts, and ask your roofer to attend if you can. Point out storm-side dents and any damage you found inside, and ask the adjuster to note the difference between fresh hail hits and older coastal wear.

Step 8: Keep a claim log

Record every call, email and visit: date, name, and what was said or promised. Follow up important phone calls with a short email. A log is the simplest way to keep a claim moving, especially in a busy season when adjusters handle many coastal claims at once.

Local contacts after a Cape Fear storm

• Warnings: NWS Wilmington and the Storm Center.
• Wind and hail claims on Beach Plan policies: NCIUA.
• Permits: city, town and county inspections offices, including beach towns; see the county and town pages.
• Insurance help: NC Department of Insurance, 855-408-1212.

Hail with a tropical system or a squall line

Coastal hail often comes with strong wind. If the same storm also lifted shingles or brought rain into the house, report all of it on one claim and photograph edges, ridges and ceilings as well as hail marks. If a named storm was involved, ask which deductible applies.

Don't forget docks, boats and outdoor gear

Hail and the wind that comes with it can damage boat lift canopies, dock roofs, boats, outdoor kitchens and screen enclosures. Photograph them along with the house. Docks and boats may be covered differently, or by a separate policy, so ask your agent which policy applies to each.

What a typical first week looks like

• Day 1: photos, tarps, claim reported.
• Days 2 to 4: roofer inspections and written estimates; check each contractor.
• Days 3 to 10: adjuster contact and inspection, depending on how many claims the storm caused.
• After the inspection: written estimate, compared line by line with your roofer's.

Who issues building permits around Wilmington?

A re-roof usually needs a permit. Ask your roofer to pull it in their name, and check with the building office for your address:

• New Hanover County (county government): Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Castle Hayne
• Brunswick County (county government): Leland, Southport, Oak Island, Shallotte
• Pender County (county government): Burgaw, Hampstead, Surf City