First: stay safe
Stay off the roof and away from downed wires. Roof work in winter weather is dangerous even for homeowners on ladders.[4] If water is coming in, move belongings, catch drips and shut off power to wet areas if it is safe to do so.
Step by step after a Western New York storm
- Notify your insurer by phone, then follow up in writing and keep copies. Prompt notice matters.[1]
- Photograph and video the damage before cleaning anything up, from the ground.[2]
- Make emergency repairs only, such as a roof tarp or boarded window, to prevent further damage. The cost is generally covered, so save receipts.[1]
- Hold off on permanent repairs until the insurer inspects, and keep damaged property until the claim is settled.[1][2]
- Keep a call log with names, dates and times, and confirm conversations in writing.[2]
- Get your own estimate from a local contractor to compare with the adjuster's.[2]
- If you disagree, ask for the policy language, use the appraisal process, or consider a DFS-licensed public adjuster (fees capped at 12.5%).[1][2]
Emergency roof work and your right to cancel
If your roofing job will be paid by insurance, New York lets you cancel the contract until midnight of the third business day after your insurer tells you in writing that the claim isn't covered. That right does not apply when you called the roofer for a genuine emergency and signed a separate, handwritten statement waiving it. Either way, a roofer who did emergency work you acknowledged in writing is owed its reasonable value.[3]
Wind, snow and ice: what’s usually covered
Windstorm is a named peril even on basic New York policies. Weight of ice, snow and sleet is covered on broad-form policies, and HO-3 covers all risks except listed exclusions.[5] Watch for a separate windstorm deductible of 1% to 5% of the dwelling value.[6] Flood is excluded from standard homeowners policies.[2] Full details are in does homeowners insurance cover roof wind or ice damage in NY.
Homes with open wind exposure along the Niagara River and lakeshore, in Grand Island, Lewiston, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda and Lackawanna, often see wind-lifted shingles first.
Watch for storm chasers
Erie County warns that big weather events attract scam artists. Be wary of anyone who shows up unsolicited, and know that non-local "storm chasers" can be hard to track down if work goes wrong.[7] The FTC adds: never sign over your insurance check, and don't pay in cash or by wire.[8] More in how to avoid roofing scams after storms.
If a federal disaster is declared
When there is a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance, FEMA aid may be available to insured and uninsured households. You must apply to FEMA directly at DisasterAssistance.gov or (800) 621-3362. Reporting damage to local officials does not sign you up.[2] FEMA doesn't charge application fees, so anyone asking for one is running a scam.[8] The NY DFS Disaster Hotline is (800) 339-1759.[2]
Need help now? Find storm and wind damage roofers.