After a storm, the right move is: secure first, document second, repair third. AUK Roofers does all three across the GTA. Same-day tarp-and-secure response, drone inspection within 24 hours producing geo-tagged photographs your insurance adjuster will accept, and a written, fixed-price quote for permanent repair. Storm-driven damage is typically covered under standard Ontario homeowner policies — the difference between a smooth claim and a denied one is usually documentation quality.
Common GTA storm damage patterns
GTA roofs face four predictable storm types every year. Each leaves a different signature, and each is covered differently by insurance:
Wind events (typical July–September derechos): lifted ridge caps, torn shingles on exposed slopes, debris impact
Hail (rare but severe, typically June–August): granule loss, bruising, broken seal strips
Ice storms (December–February): ice load damage, broken branches falling on roof, ice dams forcing water under shingles
Snow and freeze-thaw (December–March): underlayment compromise, valley stress, eavestrough separation
Wind damage — what to look for
Even moderate wind events (60–80 km/h) can lift shingles enough to break the seal strip, even if shingles return to flat. The damage isn't always visible from the ground.
Shingles lying askew or visibly raised at edges
Granules accumulating in eavestroughs (more than usual)
Ridge cap damage along the peak
Lifted flashing along chimneys, valleys, or skylights
Pieces of shingle in the yard or neighbour's yard
Hail damage — the silent claim
Hail damage is often invisible from the ground but devastating to long-term shingle life. Bruising — where the matting is impacted but no granules are visibly missing — still breaks the shingle's water-shed capability. Insurance covers hail damage but only with documented evidence.
Round granule-loss spots about the size of a dime to a quarter
Soft 'bruise' spots that feel different to touch
Splatter marks on metal flashings, vents, and AC units (corroborates hail event)
Granules in gutters significantly more than normal seasonal shed
Ice dam and freeze-thaw damage
Ice dams form when heated air escapes the attic, melts the snow on the roof, and water refreezes at the cold eave. The dam pushes meltwater back up under the shingles — and that water often shows up as a leak weeks later, after homeowners assume the storm is over.
Water stains on ceilings near exterior walls (classic ice dam signature)
Icicles hanging off eavestroughs in heavy lines
Eavestrough separation or sag from ice load
Damage to soffit or fascia from ice push
How to file a storm damage claim
The order of operations matters more than people realize. Done in the right sequence, claims process in 2–6 weeks. Done in the wrong sequence, they often get partially or fully denied.
Step 1 — Mitigate further damage (tarp, move belongings) — failure to mitigate can void coverage
Step 2 — Photograph everything before anyone touches it
Step 3 — Call your insurance company to open a claim — get a claim number
Step 4 — Have AUK Roofers do a drone inspection — produces adjuster-ready evidence file
Step 5 — Submit the file with our written assessment to your adjuster
Step 6 — Adjuster site visit (sometimes virtual using our drone footage)
Step 7 — Settlement issued, repair scheduled, work completed
Step 8 — Final invoice submitted to insurance with completion photos
What we do NOT do
Some roofers chase storm damage on contingency — meaning they take a percentage of your insurance settlement as their fee. We don't. AUK Roofers charges flat-rate, line-item pricing for the repair work itself. We provide the inspection and assessment file regardless of whether you use us for the repair. That's the right way to do this — and it's why we have a 4.9 Google rating across 200+ reviews.
Common questions.
Direct answers, no filler.
How soon after the storm should I call?
As soon as the weather is safe to inspect. Same-day for active leaks, within 24–48 hours otherwise. Don't wait — insurance policies typically have notification windows (often 30 days) and earlier documentation = stronger claim.
Will my insurance pay for a full replacement or just a repair?
Depends on damage scope. If 25%+ of slopes have storm damage, insurance often pays for a full replacement because partial repair won't match. Single-slope damage typically gets repair-only coverage. The drone inspection determines this.
What if my insurance denies the claim?
Common reasons are: damage classified as gradual wear, damage older than the storm date, or coverage gaps. Our drone documentation is often what overturns initial denials — we name the cause clearly with date-stamped evidence. If denied, we can quote the repair directly so you can decide on out-of-pocket pricing.
Do I need to get multiple quotes for insurance?
Some insurers ask for 2–3 quotes; most accept one if it's properly documented. Our line-item quote with manufacturer-spec materials and licensed labour costs is structured the way adjusters expect.
Can the drone replace an in-person adjuster visit?
Increasingly yes — many Ontario insurers now accept drone inspection footage in lieu of (or to support) the adjuster visit, especially for clear-cut storm damage. Speeds settlement by weeks.
What if I'm not sure if my roof was actually damaged?
Call us — the drone inspection is free and we'll tell you honestly. Sometimes shingles look fine from the ground but are clearly compromised from above. Sometimes they look bad but pass inspection. You'll know either way.
Will inspection itself void anything?
No — drone inspection is non-invasive. We're not climbing on your roof or touching anything. The only thing it 'voids' is uncertainty.
How fast is the actual repair after insurance approves?
Material lead time on most asphalt is 3–10 days. Metal and premium materials run 2–4 weeks. We schedule the day insurance approves and we hit the schedule.
Document my storm damage today
Across all 14 GTA service areas. $2M insured. WSIB. 25-year workmanship guarantee.
