Experts: What steps to take, how to avoid roof scams after storms
LAKE WAUKOMIS, Mo. (KCTV) - Storms hit many parts of the Kansas City metro Monday, leaving many homeowners with roof and home damage from hail, downed trees, and branches.
The storms led to a busy Tuesday for roofers, contractors, and insurance companies across the metro.
One roofer said he had 25 calls on Tuesday alone.
With minor and major roof damage possible this time of year, KCTV5 Investigates looked into the best steps to take and how to avoid scammers in the process.
Living in Lake Waukomis for 34 years, Robert Dunlevy and his wife Natalia came home to quite the scene on Monday.
They checked their camera when driving back during the storm.
“Instead of a clear shot of the street, it was leaves and branches,” said Lake Waukomis homeowner, Robert Dunlevy.
The only one at home was their dog, Pax.
“She was first worried about the dog because the dog was in there and we didn’t know any of the extent of the damage or if branches had come through the roof, so she was really concerned about that,” said Dunlevy.
Thankfully, Pax was OK. However, the house has roof and water damage.
“It is more water damage than anything, we have kind of cut power to that side of the house, we make-shifted the refrigerator right now so it is still running, but nothing else in the kitchen,” said Dunlevy. He added, “The first thing I thought about, OK, I’ve got homeowners insurance, call them first.”
That’s what experts recommend. From there, a claims adjuster can assess the damage by photos or a visit to the home and help determine how much it will cost to fix.
“You’re hoping for the best, but plan for the worst, and I think really we may have lucked out a lot as we have looked at everything. My wife thought we lost a lot of things, but no, it is not the case,” said Dunlevy.
“It is important that your insurance company is looped in along the way because they want to make sure your claim gets paid out and you don’t have a contractor that is maybe taking advantage of you,” said AAA Spokesperson Nick Chabarria.
While door-to-door contractors and roofers can be legit, Chabarria said to get multiple quotes and ask your neighbors, friends, or family for recommendations on who to work with.
“Just make sure you are taking a breath and doing your due diligence before you are hiring somebody to do that work,” said Chabarria.
Dunlevy’s insurance helped them find a hotel, and they are searching for temporary housing before they can get back into their home.
“The insurance company is gonna be coming in and taking a look and seeing what is there and where the damage has come from,” said Dunlevy. He added,
Dunlevy expects the work to take 60 to 90 days.
His best advice if you face similar damage this season: don’t panic.
“When something like this happens it is really kind of interesting all the different parts you are going to have to deal with but the first part is where do you stay, who is here that is gonna help you, what kind of things do you need to do and trying to get some of those things along the way really helps,” said Dunlevy. He added, “Just have to kind of move one day at a time and try to do the best we can with what we have.”
Chabarria said even if you don’t have damage now, this time of year is a good time to look over your insurance policy and make sure storm damage is covered so you are prepared for the worst.
On the Kansas side, the Kansas Department of Insurance can help if you fall victim to a scam.
To report a Kansas scam or file a complaint regarding insurance, the Kansas Department of Insurance at 785-296-3071, email [email protected] or insurance.kansas.gov.
They recommend taking photos of all of your damage and documenting everything for your safety and security.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.
