Wind damage claims in San Antonio rarely come from hurricanes. Most come from thunderstorms. The NOAA Storm Events Database lists 309 thunderstorm wind reports and 71 tornado reports in Bexar County, and many of the worst events were short, violent downbursts that hit a few square miles hard and left the next neighborhood alone. That patchy pattern is one reason insurers sometimes question whether wind really caused the damage. Wind also tends to arrive with hail and heavy rain in the same storm, so a single claim may involve several kinds of damage that each need to be documented and priced.
This page explains how wind claims work, what insurers look for, and how a public adjuster in San Antonio may help you present the loss. For a longer guide, read wind damage insurance claims in San Antonio.
Damaging Wind Events in Bexar County
- May 27, 1997. Downburst winds estimated in excess of 100 mph struck much of southwest San Antonio near Kelly AFB, damaging roofs, outbuildings, windows, signs, and power lines (NCEI event record).
- February 19, 2017. An EF2 tornado tracked from the San Pedro golf course area northeast through residential neighborhoods (NCEI), and separate 70 mph winds tore part of a roof off a house near the Olmos Basin.
- January 10, 2020. A measured 77 mph gust at Stinson Municipal Airport, with roof damage reported at the Toyota plant in south San Antonio and carports blown down on the southwest side (NCEI).
- May 28, 2021. The airport ASOS measured a 77 mph gust, and estimated 80 mph winds knocked a large tree through a home near Broadway (NCEI).
See our Bexar County storm history page for more events by date.
Common Types of Wind Damage
| Damage | What to document |
|---|---|
| Missing, creased, or lifted shingles | Photos of each slope, creases at the nail line, debris in the yard |
| Metal roof panels or trim pulled loose | Displaced panels, failed fasteners, damaged flashing |
| Trees and limbs on the structure | Photos before removal, impact points, interior damage below |
| Fences, carports, and sheds | Overall and close-up photos; age and material of each structure |
| Commercial roof membranes and rooftop units | Peeled edges, displaced coping, moved or damaged HVAC curbs |
| Interior rain damage | The opening wind created, and the water path inside |
Where Wind Claims Get Disputed
Wind vs. wear and tear
Insurers often say missing shingles reflect age, poor nailing, or failed sealant rather than wind. Creased tabs, the pattern of missing shingles across slopes, and documented wind speeds near the address all help answer that argument.
Rain and wind-driven water
Interior water is usually covered only when wind or hail created an opening first. If the insurer says rain came through an existing defect, the location of the opening and the timing of the damage matter.
Tree removal and debris
Many policies pay to remove a tree that damaged a covered structure, often with a per-tree or per-loss limit. A tree that fell in the yard without hitting anything may not be covered at all.
Matching and partial repairs
Replacing a few wind-torn shingles on an older roof may leave a mismatched patch, and brittle shingles can break during repair. How matching is handled depends on your policy language.
Downbursts, Straight-Line Winds, and Tornadoes
For insurance purposes, the type of wind usually does not change coverage: a windstorm is a windstorm. It does change what the damage looks like. Downbursts push debris and trees in one direction across a wide path, while tornadoes leave a narrower, twisting path with debris thrown in several directions. Most Bexar County tornadoes on record were weak (F0/F1 or EF0/EF1), yet even a brief EF1, like the one that touched down in a Helotes subdivision on May 24, 2020 (NCEI), can lift roof decking and break windows. National Weather Service storm surveys, when one was done, are useful evidence for the date, path, and estimated wind speed.
Wind Damage Across Greater San Antonio
NOAA's 70 mph-plus wind reports are spread across the region: Leon Valley, Kirby, Converse, Alamo Heights, Helotes, Leon Springs, Elmendorf, and the far south side all appear in the record. Whether your property is in the city or in communities such as Leon Valley, Converse, or Alamo Heights, the same documentation steps apply. Our claim documentation checklist lists what to gather.
Deductibles and Coverage to Check
- Wind/hail deductible. Often a percentage of your dwelling limit. On smaller wind losses, the deductible may exceed the repair cost, so get an estimate before deciding how to proceed.
- Roof valuation. ACV-only roof endorsements or roof schedules reduce payment for older roofs. See replacement cost vs. actual cash value.
- Additional living expenses. If wind damage makes your home unlivable, loss of use coverage may help with temporary housing.
- Business income. Commercial policies may cover lost income during repairs. See commercial property claims.
How a Public Adjuster Helps With Wind Claims
San Antonio Public Adjuster represents policyholders, not insurance companies. On a wind claim, we may inspect the roof and exterior, gather weather data for the date of loss, review your policy, prepare a line-item estimate in Xactimate, and communicate with the insurer's adjuster. If wind and hail struck together, we document both perils; see hail damage claims. When a claim has been paid low or denied, we can review the insurer's reasoning and discuss options such as a supplement or appraisal. Results depend on your policy and the facts; no one can guarantee an outcome. Fees are disclosed in a written contract before any work begins; Texas law caps public adjuster compensation at 10% of the insurance settlement.
What to Do After a Windstorm
- Stay clear of downed power lines and report them to CPS Energy.
- Photograph damage, fallen trees, and debris before cleanup when it is safe.
- Tarp openings and board broken windows; keep receipts.
- Report the claim promptly and note the date and approximate time of the storm.
- Keep damaged materials when practical until the insurer inspects.
Many policies also set a contractual deadline to file suit after a claim dispute. If you have legal questions, consult a Texas attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is wind damage covered by homeowners insurance in San Antonio?
Windstorm is a covered peril on most homeowners and commercial property policies, subject to deductibles, exclusions, and endorsements. Bexar County is outside the TWIA catastrophe area, so wind coverage usually comes from your regular insurer (or the Texas FAIR Plan where applicable).
A neighbor’s tree fell on my house. Whose insurance pays?
Usually your own policy responds to damage to your house, regardless of whose tree it was, subject to your deductible. Debris removal coverage may be limited. Questions about the neighbor’s liability are legal questions best directed to a Texas attorney.
What is a wind/hail deductible?
Many Texas policies apply a separate deductible to wind and hail losses, often a percentage of the dwelling (Coverage A) limit rather than a flat dollar amount. Your declarations page shows how yours is calculated.
Does my policy cover water that came in during the windstorm?
Many policies cover rain damage to the interior only if wind first created an opening in the roof or walls. If wind-driven rain came through an existing gap or a closed window, coverage may be limited. Document the opening.
How do I prove high winds hit my property?
NOAA Storm Events records, National Weather Service storm surveys, and nearby airport wind measurements can help. Our storm lookup tool searches Bexar County reports by date.
Can a public adjuster help if my wind claim was already paid?
Possibly. If items were missed or underpriced, the claim may be supplemented, depending on the policy and timing. A review of the estimate is a reasonable first step; no outcome is guaranteed.