Direct Answer
The first thing to do after discovering commercial roof storm damage is to protect people and the building from further damage without putting anyone at risk. Once the area is safe, document the damage, make reasonable temporary repairs or arrange emergency mitigation, and notify your insurance company as soon as possible.
Florida’s Department of Financial Services specifically advises policyholders to take steps to mitigate additional damage, document existing damage before repairs when possible, and contact their insurance company promptly. Permanent repairs should generally wait until the insurer has had an opportunity to inspect the damage. Florida Department of Financial Services — Assignment of Benefits and Storm Damage Guidance
Who This Applies To
This guidance is intended for commercial property owners, property managers, facility managers, developers, building owners, and businesses dealing with storm or hurricane-related commercial roof damage in Florida.
Not for: sending untrained employees onto a damaged roof, making permanent repairs before documenting the loss, or assuming that visible roof damage represents the entire insurance loss.
1. Make the Property Safe First
Do not immediately climb onto a storm-damaged commercial roof to inspect it yourself.
Storm damage can create hidden hazards, including:
- Unstable roof sections
- Loose or displaced membrane
- Damaged roof decks
- Exposed electrical equipment
- Broken skylights
- Falling debris
- Standing water
- Wet or sagging ceilings
- Structural instability
Keep employees, tenants, customers, and visitors away from unsafe areas. If there is a possibility of structural instability, have the property evaluated by an appropriately qualified professional before roof access is attempted.
2. Stop Further Damage
After safety is addressed, the immediate objective is to prevent the existing storm damage from becoming worse.
Florida DFS states that policyholders have a responsibility to mitigate damage and make reasonable temporary repairs. Examples include covering a damaged roof or removing standing water. Florida DFS — Mitigation and Temporary Repairs
Depending on the situation, emergency mitigation may include:
- Emergency roof tarping or temporary dry-in
- Controlling active interior water intrusion
- Moving inventory away from leaking areas
- Protecting equipment and records
- Removing standing water where it is safe to do so
- Securing areas affected by broken skylights or openings
Temporary work should be limited to what is reasonably necessary to prevent additional damage. It is not the same as permanently repairing or replacing the roof.
3. Document the Damage Before Temporary Repairs When Possible
Before covering, removing, or altering damaged components, photograph and video the condition if it is safe to do so.
Document:
- The entire building exterior
- Roof elevations
- Damaged roof areas
- Membrane tears and punctures
- Lifted or displaced components
- Edge metal and coping
- Flashings
- Rooftop equipment
- Skylights
- Interior water intrusion
- Damaged contents
- Standing water
- Temporary repairs
Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate recommends photographing or recording damage and keeping damaged items available for inspection when it is safe and practical to do so. Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate — Hurricane Recovery Resources
4. Notify Your Insurance Company Quickly
After immediate safety and mitigation steps, contact your insurance company or agent and report the damage as soon as possible.
Florida DFS recommends reporting storm damage promptly. The insurer may need to arrange an inspection and determine the scope and cause of the loss. Florida DFS — General Insurance Coverage FAQs
When reporting the loss, have available:
- Policy number
- Property address
- Date and approximate time of the storm
- Date and time the damage was discovered
- Description of visible damage
- Photographs and videos
- Emergency repair information
- Contact information for the property representative
5. Do Not Make Permanent Repairs Too Early
One of the most important distinctions after a storm is between temporary mitigation and permanent repair.
Temporary measures may be necessary to prevent additional damage. However, Florida DFS advises that policyholders should document damage before repairs and should not make permanent repairs before the insurance company has an opportunity to inspect the damage. Florida DFS — Storm Damage and Insurance Claims
Removing damaged materials before they are documented can make it more difficult to establish what was damaged and how extensive the original loss was.
6. Call a Qualified Commercial Roofing Contractor
A commercial roofing contractor can provide an emergency inspection and help stabilize the roof.
The contractor should distinguish between:
- Storm-created damage
- Pre-existing deterioration
- Maintenance deficiencies
- Temporary emergency work
- Permanent repair requirements
- Potential concealed damage
Ask for a written, photo-documented report rather than relying only on a verbal assessment.
7. Keep Every Emergency Repair Receipt
Maintain a separate record of emergency expenses.
Keep:
- Roofing invoices
- Tarping invoices
- Water extraction invoices
- Temporary protection materials
- Labor records
- Equipment rental receipts
- Photographs
- Inspection reports
- Contractor communications
Florida DFS recommends keeping receipts for temporary repairs and documenting the expenses associated with mitigating additional damage. Florida DFS — Emergency and Temporary Repairs
8. Look Beyond the Visible Roof Damage
A commercial storm claim should not be limited to the first obvious tear or puncture.
A professional inspection may identify:
- Membrane damage
- Wet insulation
- Damaged cover board
- Loose fasteners
- Compromised seams
- Damaged flashings
- Perimeter failures
- Damaged drains
- Roof deck damage
- Rooftop equipment damage
- Interior water damage
Some damage may not be immediately visible from the ground. This is why a detailed commercial roof inspection can be important after a major storm.
9. Preserve Damaged Materials When Safe
Do not automatically throw away damaged roofing materials, equipment, or other property.
Florida DFS advises policyholders not to discard damaged property before the insurance company has had an opportunity to inspect it, unless keeping it would create a safety or health hazard. If something must be discarded for safety reasons, photograph or record it before disposal when possible. Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate — Hurricane Recovery Resources
10. Establish a Clear Storm-Damage Timeline
Create a simple timeline showing:
| Stage | What to Record |
|---|---|
| Storm | Date, approximate time, and weather event |
| Discovery | When damage was first observed |
| Documentation | Photos, videos, inspection observations |
| Mitigation | Temporary repairs and emergency work |
| Insurance | Claim number, notification date, adjuster information |
| Inspection | Adjuster and roofing inspection dates |
| Permanent repair | Scope, permits, invoices, completion documentation |
This creates a clear record of what happened and what actions were taken to protect the property.
11. Be Careful With Contractor and Assignment Agreements
After major storms, property owners may receive calls or visits from contractors, restoration companies, public adjusters, or other service providers.
Verify licenses and insurance before hiring anyone. Read contracts carefully, particularly agreements that transfer rights or insurance benefits to another party.
Florida DFS specifically advises policyholders to verify contractor licensing and insurance and explains that an assignment of benefits can transfer certain insurance rights or benefits to a third party. Florida DFS — Assignment of Benefits
12. What Should I Do If the Insurer’s Adjuster Cannot Arrive Immediately?
Do not leave the property exposed simply because the adjuster has not arrived.
Take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage, document the condition extensively, preserve damaged materials when safe, keep receipts, and maintain communication with the insurer.
Florida DFS recognizes that after severe hurricanes or catastrophic events, adjuster response times can be delayed because insurers prioritize large numbers of claims. Florida DFS — General Insurance Coverage FAQs
13. What If the Damage Is Small?
Do not assume that a small visible defect means there is no need to report the event.
Storm damage can sometimes include concealed damage that becomes apparent during inspection or repair. Florida DFS also notes that timely reporting can be important when additional damage is discovered later. Florida DFS — Florida’s Hurricane Deductible
Review your policy, deductible, reporting requirements, and the extent of the damage with your insurance professional before deciding how to proceed.
Bottom Line
The first priority after discovering commercial roof storm damage is safety and preventing further damage. Do not put employees on a potentially unsafe roof. Document the damage, arrange reasonable emergency mitigation, notify your insurer promptly, preserve evidence, keep receipts, and obtain a professional commercial roof inspection before permanent repairs begin.
The goal is to protect the building while preserving an accurate record of the original storm damage for the insurance and repair process.
Related Questions
- Can I Start Repairs Before the Insurance Adjuster Visits?
- What If My Insurance Claim Is Denied or the Offer Is Too Low?
- How Quickly Should I Respond to a Commercial Roof Leak?
- How to Actually Find a Commercial Roof Leak
Sources
- Florida Department of Financial Services — Assignment of Benefits and Emergency Repairs
- Florida Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate — Hurricane Recovery Resources
- Florida Department of Financial Services — General Insurance Coverage FAQs
- Florida Department of Financial Services — Florida’s Hurricane Deductible
- University of Florida IFAS — Six Steps in Making an Insurance Claim
Last reviewed: October 2026
Related Resources
After a commercial storm loss, prioritize safety, emergency mitigation, documentation, insurance notification, and professional roof assessment before permanent restoration.
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Disclaimer: This information is general educational guidance and does not replace your insurance policy, project-specific engineering, professional safety assessment, legal advice, or instructions from your insurance carrier.
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