The short answer
Call a roofer first to stop the water, then your insurer if the leak follows a storm, hail, wind or a fallen tree. Commercial property policies usually cover sudden damage and reasonable steps to prevent more, not wear, age or poor maintenance. Photograph everything and keep every invoice.
On this page
When water is coming through the ceiling of a store or warehouse, it is natural to reach for the insurance policy. The order of calls matters, though, and so does what you can prove later. This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice; your policy wording decides what is covered.
Call a roofer first, then your insurer
Almost every commercial property policy expects you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. That means stopping the water: a temporary repair, a tarp or sheeting over stock. Waiting for an adjuster while water pours in can reduce what the insurer pays.
So the usual order is:
- Make the inside safe. Move people and stock, and cut power near water.
- Call a commercial roofer for a temporary repair and an inspection.
- Report the claim promptly, especially after a storm. Many policies require notice within a set time.
- Get the roofer’s report with photos and the cause of the leak, to send to the insurer.
What commercial policies usually cover
| Usually covered | Usually not covered |
|---|---|
| Sudden storm damage: wind, hail, a fallen tree | Wear and tear, old age |
| Damage to the building and contents from that event | Poor maintenance, blocked drains left for months |
| Reasonable temporary repairs | Leaks that developed slowly over a long period |
| Sometimes lost income, if you have that cover | Defects in the original installation (may be a warranty matter) |
Policies vary a lot, and many have separate, higher deductibles for wind and hail. Read yours before you need it.
Evidence that helps a claim
- Photos and video of the ceiling, floor and damaged contents, with dates.
- The date and time of the storm, and local weather reports.
- Your roofer’s report: photos of the damage on the roof, the cause and the repair.
- Invoices for temporary work and clean-up.
- Your maintenance records. Proof of regular inspections makes it much harder for an insurer to blame neglect. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends inspections twice a year and after severe weather.
When the cause is not a storm
If the roof is simply old, or a seam has slowly opened, insurance is unlikely to pay for the roof itself. It may still cover sudden water damage to the interior, depending on your policy. Check whether the roof is still under a manufacturer or installer warranty, which may cover the repair instead.
Storm areas and special rules
In hurricane and high-wind regions, insurers and building departments may require repairs to meet wind rules. On the Texas coast, for example, the Texas Department of Insurance says roof replacements and major repairs need a windstorm inspection for TWIA coverage. FEMA’s recovery advisories also recommend securing rooftop equipment when repairing storm damage, so the next storm does less harm.
Watch out for storm chasers
After big storms, door-knockers appear offering free roofs paid for by your insurer, often asking you to sign over the claim. Take time, check insurance certificates and references, and never sign an assignment of benefits without reading it.
If a storm has damaged your roof, send us the ZIP code and we will look for a commercial roof repair specialist who covers your building.