TL;DR: After every Arizona monsoon storm, walk a 4-stage inspection in the first 24 hours — exterior perimeter, interior ceilings/walls/floors, attic, and HVAC/pool equipment — photographing each elevation with timestamps before you touch anything. Carriers require you to mitigate further damage (tarp, board up, extract water) under the policy, but you must document first. File a claim within your policy’s prompt-notice clause (usually 30–60 days), and know that Arizona’s contract statute of limitations runs two years (A.R.S. § 12-543) although most policies impose a shorter one-year suit-limitation clause. Pull the National Weather Service Phoenix storm report for your ZIP — it’s the cheapest piece of causation evidence you’ll get.

Every Arizona monsoon season produces at least one storm strong enough to damage residential property somewhere in the Valley. Most homeowners only check for damage they can see from the driveway — and most insurance underpayment starts with damage that wasn’t documented in the first 48 hours after the storm.

This checklist walks you through what to inspect, what to photograph, and what to do before calling your insurance company. Print it, screenshot it, save it — use it after every monsoon storm.

Within 24 Hours After the Storm

Safety First

Stay off the roof if it’s wet — tile and shingle roofs become slippery and dangerous after rain
Check for downed power lines before walking around the property
Don’t enter rooms with sagging or stained ceilings — water-saturated drywall can collapse without warning
Tarp any active roof leaks to prevent additional interior damage (carriers require you to mitigate further damage)
Document any emergency repairs with photos and keep all receipts

Exterior Walk-Around

Walk the entire perimeter of your home with your phone camera. Photograph everything, even if it doesn’t look damaged.

Roof (from the ground)

Look for displaced or missing tiles or shingles
Check ridge caps — they’re often the first to fail
Look for tile fragments on the ground around the perimeter
Check flashing around vents, chimneys, and skylights
Note any sagging or visible structural shift

Gutters and Downspouts

Check for dents, especially on the upslope-facing sides
Look for separation from fascia boards
Check downspout extensions for displacement
Look for water staining on fascia (indicates overflow)

Stucco and Siding

Walk every elevation slowly
Look for circular impact craters (hail)
Check for cracks, especially around windows and at corners
Look for chipped paint or exposed substrate
Check chimney chase covers and stucco

Windows and Screens

Check every window for cracks, even hairline
Look at screens for tears, holes, or impact damage
Check window frames for warping or seal failure
Inspect skylights from inside and outside

HVAC and Outdoor Equipment

Photograph the outdoor condenser unit from all sides
Look at the fins on the condenser — bent fins are damage even if the unit still runs
Check fan blades for damage
Inspect exposed copper line sets
Photograph pool equipment, water heaters in exterior closets, and any backyard fixtures

Fences, Patio Covers, and Outbuildings

Check fence panels and posts for shift or damage
Inspect wood patio covers and pergolas
Photograph any sheds or detached structures
Check carport coverings

Vehicles

Photograph any vehicles that were exposed during the storm
Document hail dents on hoods, roofs, and trunk lids
Note any cracked windshields or broken windows

Interior Walk-Through

Ceilings

Look at every ceiling, room by room
Check for discoloration, sagging, or wet spots
Photograph any stains, even if small
Note the date next to anything new — this matters later

Walls

Check for water staining at the base of walls
Look for bubbling paint, especially near windows and exterior walls
Check baseboards for warping or moisture damage

Floors

Look for water damage to flooring near windows and exterior doors
Check for warping or buckling on hardwood
Note any wet carpet or pad

Attic (only if safe to access)

Look for daylight visible through the roof deck
Check insulation for wet spots or compaction
Look at the underside of the roof deck for water staining
Check around vents and chimneys for evidence of leaks

HVAC Interior

Run the AC and listen for unusual noise or reduced airflow
Check vents for any soot or debris
Note ductwork running through unconditioned spaces

Within 7 Days After the Storm

Get Documentation in Order

Compile all photos into a single folder, named with the storm date
Write a brief timeline: when the storm hit, when you first noticed damage, what you did first
Save weather reports for your zip code from the day of the storm (useful for proving the cause of damage)
Keep all receipts for emergency mitigation (tarps, board-up, water extraction, hotel stays if displaced)

Get a Professional Inspection

Schedule a roof inspection by a licensed Arizona public adjuster, a roofing contractor experienced with claims, or both
Don’t sign anything that gives someone authority to negotiate your claim before you’ve talked to a public adjuster
Get the inspection in writing, with photos

Decide Whether to File

Not every storm requires a claim. Small damage that costs less than your deductible doesn’t need to be filed. Major damage, multiple-system damage, or anything that exceeds your deductible should be filed promptly. Arizona has a two-year statute of limitations on property insurance claims, but waiting weakens your claim.

Before You File

Know your deductible (some Arizona policies have separate hurricane/wind/hail deductibles that are higher than your standard deductible)
Know your coverage limits
Have your policy declarations page in front of you
Document the damage thoroughly before the carrier’s adjuster arrives — their inspection is brief

After You File

Be available for the inspection
Walk the carrier’s adjuster through the damage personally if you can
Take notes during the inspection
Get the final estimate in writing
Don’t sign a final release until the work is complete and you’ve recovered any held-back depreciation

When to Call a Public Adjuster

Call a public adjuster if any of the following are true:

The carrier’s first offer is significantly below your contractor estimates
The carrier denied your claim or denied a portion
You’re dealing with multiple types of damage (roof + HVAC + interior water)
You don’t have time or expertise to manage the claims process

Arizona public adjusters are licensed by the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) under A.R.S. Title 20, with carrier conduct governed by the unfair-claim-practices rules in A.R.S. § 20-461. We work on contingency — no recovery, no fee. We represent you, not the insurance company. The National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters maintains an Arizona member directory if you want to compare licensed firms.

Request a free claim review or call us at 480-660-0861 if you have questions about a recent monsoon damage claim. Related reading: our Arizona monsoon season overview, pre-monsoon policy review, storm damage claim filing guide, haboob claim guide, and our Mesa public adjuster and storm damage, wind and hail, and roof damage service pages.

Bookmark this page before next monsoon season. The first 48 hours after a storm are when documentation matters most — and most homeowners are too busy or too overwhelmed to do it well. Having a checklist ready changes the outcome of the claim.

Arizona Monsoon Damage Checklist: What to Inspect After Every Storm