Tropical Storm Bertha Roof Damage in Louisiana: Your Insurance Claim Next Steps

By Acadiana Roof Restoration LLC | Scott, LA | Veteran-Owned | IBHS FORTIFIED Certified Contractor

Last verified: July 28, 2026

Tropical Storm Bertha moved across southeast Louisiana this week, and the Louisiana Department of Insurance urged homeowners to be insurance ready before the wind and rain arrived. If Bertha damaged your roof, what you do in the next few days matters as much as the damage itself. Handled well, a claim goes smoothly. Handled poorly, you can leave money on the table or give your insurer a reason to push back.

Here is the calm, correct order of operations from a veteran-owned, FORTIFIED certified team that has walked Louisiana homeowners through this after every major storm.

Document Before You Touch Anything

Your evidence is strongest the moment after the storm, before any cleanup or repair. Take timestamped photos and video of every side of your home. Capture the roof from the ground, gutters, fascia, any lifted or missing shingles, and every interior sign of water, including ceiling stains, wet insulation in the attic, and damp walls. Photograph everything, even damage that seems minor. You cannot add evidence back later.

Stop Further Damage, and Keep the Receipts

Louisiana homeowners have a legal duty to mitigate, which simply means preventing the damage from getting worse. Tarp open roof sections, cover broken windows, and put buckets under active leaks. Save every receipt. These emergency measures are typically reimbursable as part of your claim. Do not make permanent repairs yet, because your damage still needs to be documented and inspected first.

Understand Your Deductible, Because Bertha Was a Named Storm

This is the number that surprises people. Because Bertha was a named tropical storm, your named-storm deductible applies if your policy has one. A named-storm deductible is usually a percentage of your home's insured value, commonly 2 to 5 percent, not a flat dollar amount.

On a home insured for $250,000 with a 2 percent named-storm deductible, that is $5,000 out of pocket. On a home insured for $350,000 with a 5 percent deductible, that is $17,500. A separate hurricane deductible generally applies only when a storm reaches hurricane strength, so for a tropical storm it is the named-storm figure that matters. Check your declarations page for your exact percentage before you assume anything about what your claim will net you. Our full breakdown of how these deductibles work is here: https://aroofrestore.com/blog/named-storm-deductible-louisiana-roof.

Get an Independent Inspection Before the Adjuster Arrives

Your insurer sends an adjuster who works for the insurer. Before that visit, get an independent inspection from a licensed Louisiana roofing contractor. This gives you a professional baseline to compare against the insurer's estimate, and it documents that the damage is storm-related rather than pre-existing wear, which is often the single deciding factor on an older roof.

Be careful who you let on your roof right now. Named storms draw out-of-state storm-chasers who knock doors, collect deposits, and disappear. A licensed, local, credentialed contractor is the safe choice. If your roof is older and you are unsure whether your claim will be paid at actual cash value or replacement cost, that difference is worth understanding before you file. We explain it here: https://aroofrestore.com/blog/acv-vs-rcv-louisiana.

Contact Your Insurer and Track Everything

Now file. Record your claim number, your assigned adjuster's name, and the date. Ask directly whether your deductible is a flat amount or a percentage, and get the answer in writing. Keep a log of every call, email, and letter. Under Louisiana law, your insurer must begin the loss adjustment process within 30 days of your claim, and you have one year from the date of the storm to file, not the date you noticed the damage. File promptly regardless, because fresh documentation always beats a claim reconstructed weeks later.

Where Acadiana Roof Restoration Fits

We are veteran-owned, BBB A+ rated, and IBHS FORTIFIED certified, serving Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and the surrounding parishes. We give free, honest post-storm roof assessments, document damage the way insurers need to see it, and never pressure you into work you do not need. If Bertha may have damaged your roof, get a professional set of eyes on it before you file.

For the complete step-by-step guide to filing a Louisiana roof insurance claim, including what to do if your claim is underpaid or denied, read our full claims guide: https://aroofrestore.com/louisiana-roof-insurance-claims-guide. For storm damage repair and inspection, start here: https://aroofrestore.com/storm-damage-guide.

Schedule a free post-storm roof assessment at https://aroofrestore.com or call 337-999-ROOF (337-999-7663) in Lafayette or 225-385-ROOF (225-385-7663) in Baton Rouge.