Emergency Hail Damage Checklist for South East Queensland

South East Queensland sits in one of Australia's most hail-prone regions. Every spring and summer, severe thunderstorms form over the Great Dividing Range and the Scenic Rim and track towards Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. The 2020 Brisbane hailstorm and the major storms of recent years showed how quickly hailstones can damage roofs, vehicles, solar panels, windows and gardens. What you do in the first hours and days after a hailstorm can make a significant difference to your safety, your insurance claim and the cost of repairs.

This checklist walks Brisbane homeowners and property managers through each stage of the response, from the moment the storm passes to the completion of repairs.

Why Hail Damage Is a Serious Concern in Brisbane

Hail season in South East Queensland typically runs from September through to March, with the highest risk during the afternoon and early evening. Hailstones as small as 2 cm can dent metal roofing and crack tiles, while stones of 5 cm or larger can puncture roofing, smash skylights and shatter car windscreens. Brisbane's mix of Colorbond and tin roofing, concrete and terracotta tiles, and widespread rooftop solar installations means damage can take many forms, and not all of it is immediately visible from the ground.

Hidden damage is a particular risk. Micro-fractures in tiles, bruised or displaced shingles, compromised sealants and dented flashing may not leak during the first rain. They can allow water to enter the roof cavity weeks or months later, leading to ceiling stains, mould, rotting timber and electrical hazards.

Step One: Prioritise Safety Immediately After the Storm

Before assessing any damage, make sure everyone in the household is safe. Stay indoors until the storm has fully passed, as hail is often followed by strong winds, heavy rain and lightning.

Check for Immediate Hazards

Once conditions are safe, look for the following dangers from ground level:

Fallen powerlines: Stay well clear and report them to Energex on 13 62 62 or call Triple Zero (000) if there is immediate danger.
Broken glass: Wear sturdy, closed-in shoes and keep children and pets away from affected areas.
Water entering the home: If water is near power points, light fittings or the switchboard, turn off electricity at the mains if it is safe to reach and call a licensed electrician.
Sagging ceilings: Water-laden plasterboard can collapse without warning. Keep clear of any bulging or stained ceiling areas.
Damaged trees and branches: Hail-stripped or storm-weakened limbs can fall unexpectedly.
Loose roofing materials: Sheets, tiles and fittings may be dislodged and could fall.

Never climb onto a hail-damaged roof yourself. Wet, dented or cracked surfaces are slippery and structurally unpredictable. Falls from roofs remain one of the leading causes of https://brisbaneroofrestorationexperts.com.au/about/ serious injury after storm events.

Step Two: Document Everything Before You Touch Anything

Thorough documentation is the foundation of a successful insurance claim. Insurers assess claims based on evidence, so capture as much as you can before any cleanup or temporary repairs begin.

Take date-stamped photos and video of all visible damage, including wide shots and close-ups.
Photograph hailstones next to a coin or ruler to show their size, if any remain.
Record damage to the roof (from the ground), gutters, downpipes, skylights, windows, fences, pergolas, outdoor furniture, air conditioning units and vehicles.
Photograph any interior water damage, including ceilings, walls, flooring and affected belongings.
Note the date, time and approximate duration of the storm.
Save weather reports or Bureau of Meteorology warnings that confirm the severe weather event.
Keep a written list of damaged or destroyed items, along with receipts or proof of ownership where available.

Using a drone for roof inspections can provide safe aerial documentation, but this should be carried out by a licensed operator, and you should always observe airspace and safety rules.

Step Three: Prevent Further Damage

Most home insurance policies in Australia require policyholders to take reasonable steps to prevent additional loss after an event. This is often called mitigating further damage. Failing to do so could affect your claim.

Temporary Protective Measures

Where it is safe to do so, consider the following:

Move furniture, electronics and valuables away from wet or leaking areas.
Place buckets or containers beneath active leaks and lay towels to absorb moisture.
Pierce a small hole in a water-filled ceiling bulge to release water in a controlled way, only if it is safe, and place a bucket underneath.
Cover broken windows with plywood, heavy-duty plastic or tarpaulin.
Arrange for a professional roofer to install temporary roof covers or tarps over exposed areas.
Remove debris from gutters, drains and downpipes to prevent overflow during the next rain event.

Keep all receipts for emergency repairs and materials. Most insurers will reimburse reasonable costs for temporary protection, but you should check your policy wording or confirm with your insurer.

Step Four: Contact Your Insurer Promptly

Notify your insurer as soon as practical after the storm. During major hail events across Brisbane and South East Queensland, claim volumes can surge rapidly, and early lodgement helps you secure a place in the assessment queue.

What to Have Ready When You Call

Your policy number and contact details
The date and time of the storm
A summary of the damage and your supporting photos
Details of any emergency repairs already arranged

Ask your insurer about your excess, what is covered under your policy and whether you need to use a nominated repairer. In many cases, you retain the right to obtain your own quotes, but your insurer may need to approve the scope of work first. Also ask whether your claim has been classified as part of a declared catastrophe or an insurance-declared event, as this can affect processing timeframes and available support.

If your claim is delayed, disputed or denied, you can contact the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), a free and independent dispute resolution service.

Step Five: Arrange a Professional Roof and Property Inspection

A thorough inspection by a qualified roofing professional is one of the most valuable steps you can take. Trained inspectors know how to identify subtle impact damage that the untrained eye can easily miss.

What a Professional Inspection Should Cover

Roof sheeting and tiles: Dents, cracks, punctures, chipped glazing and displaced tiles
Flashing and ridge capping: Bent, lifted or sealant-compromised sections
Gutters and downpipes: Dents, splits, detached brackets and blockages
Skylights and roof vents: Cracks, seal failure and broken domes
Solar panels: Micro-cracks, damaged glass, wiring and mounting concerns
Roof cavity: Moisture, wet insulation, stained timber and daylight visible through the roof
Ceilings and walls: Water staining, bubbling paint and early signs of mould

Request a written report with photographs and a detailed scope of repairs. This document is useful to support your insurance claim and to ensure that the repair quotes you receive are accurate and comparable.

Step Six: Check Solar Panels, Air Conditioning and Outdoor Fixtures

Queensland has one of the highest rates of rooftop solar adoption in the world, and hail can affect panels in ways that are not always obvious. A panel with a hairline crack may continue to generate power, but moisture ingress can lead to reduced efficiency, hot spots or electrical faults.

Do not touch or attempt to clean a damaged solar panel. Have a licensed solar installer or electrician inspect the system, and consider switching the system off at the isolator if you suspect damage and it is safe to do so. Similarly, have air conditioning condensers, evaporative cooling units, hot water systems and pool equipment checked, as hail can bend fins, crack housings and damage electrical components.

Step Seven: Choose a Reputable Repairer

After a major storm, Brisbane often experiences an influx of out-of-area operators and unlicensed tradespeople going door to door. Protect yourself by verifying credentials before agreeing to any work.

Check that your roofer or builder holds a current Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence. You can verify this on the QBCC website.
Be cautious of anyone demanding large upfront cash payments or offering to waive your excess, as this can be unlawful and may jeopardise your claim.
Obtain multiple written quotes where your insurer permits it.
Ask for proof of public liability insurance and, where relevant, home warranty insurance for larger jobs.
Confirm that all materials meet relevant Australian Standards and the cyclone and wind-rated requirements applicable to South East Queensland.
Get everything in writing, including timeframes, materials, warranties and payment terms.

For structural roof repairs or replacements, ensure that required approvals and certifications are obtained. Where asbestos-containing materials may be present, particularly in older Brisbane homes built before the late 1980s, work must be carried out by appropriately licensed professionals in line with Queensland regulations.

Step Eight: Protect Your Vehicles

Vehicle hail damage is among the most common claims following SEQ storms. Photograph all panels, the windscreen, sunroof and mirrors from multiple angles in good light. Contact your motor insurer promptly and ask about paintless dent repair (PDR), which can often restore panels without repainting when the paint surface is intact. If damage is extensive, your insurer may assess the vehicle for repair or total loss.

Preparing Ahead: Reducing Your Risk in 2026 and Beyond

While no property can be completely hail-proof, there are practical steps Brisbane homeowners can take now to reduce vulnerability and speed up recovery after the next event.

Review your home and contents insurance annually to confirm that hail and storm cover is included, and that your sum insured reflects current rebuilding costs, which have risen significantly in recent years.
Understand your excess, especially if your policy has a separate or higher excess for natural disaster events.
Maintain your roof by keeping gutters clear, replacing cracked tiles and re-sealing flashing, because well-maintained roofs generally cope better with impact.
Consider impact-resistant roofing materials, such as thicker-gauge steel or higher-rated tiles, when re-roofing.
Trim overhanging branches to reduce secondary damage from falling limbs.
Park vehicles in a garage or covered carport when storm warnings are issued, and keep a hail cover on hand.
Keep a digital folder with photos of your home's current condition, receipts, policy documents and an inventory of valuable items.
Monitor Bureau of Meteorology severe thunderstorm warnings and the Queensland Disaster Management apps and alerts during storm season.

As climate and weather patterns continue to evolve into 2027 and beyond, insurers and building authorities are paying closer attention to resilience measures. Homes with documented maintenance and strengthened roofing may benefit from better outcomes when claims are assessed and when policies are renewed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Hailstorm

Many homeowners unintentionally weaken their claims or increase repair costs through avoidable errors. Do not throw away damaged items before your insurer has had a chance to assess them, unless they pose a health hazard. Do not sign work authorisations or assignment-of-benefit forms without reading them carefully. Do not delay inspections, as water damage and mould progress quickly in Brisbane's warm, humid climate. And do not assume that no visible leaks means no damage, since hidden roof damage is common.

Final Thoughts

A hailstorm can be stressful and disruptive, but a calm, methodical response protects your family, your home and your finances. Put safety first, document thoroughly, prevent further damage, notify your insurer promptly and engage licensed professionals for inspections and repairs. By following this emergency hail damage checklist and preparing before the next storm season, Brisbane and South East Queensland residents can recover faster and with greater confidence. If your property has been affected, arrange a professional inspection as soon as it is safe to do so, because early action is the most effective way to limit long-term damage and cost.

Brisbane Roof Restoration Experts

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