After hail poured down like raindrops on Webster County Wednesday night, many residents are worrying about the potential damage to their roofs and vehicles.

An insurance agent and a roofer who both often deal with the aftermath of such storms offered this advice — don’t rush to file an insurance claim.

“We’ve had a number of people call about the roofs, ” said Jeff Haupts, a State Farm Insurance agent in Fort Dodge.

Haupts said people should certainly contact their insurance agent to learn the process of filing a claim. But he added that they should hold off on filing a claim until after a professional assesses the damage to their property.

“Find a reputable company — someone who will be here after the storm,” he said.

Robert Maddox, owner and general manager of Hahn Roofing in Fort Dodge, said it takes four to six weeks for hail damage to a roof to be fully revealed.

“Don’t get into a panic,” he said. “Don’t look too early. Don’t just up and make a claim.”

After four to six weeks go by, it is time to have a professional look at the roof. Maddox recommends using a reliable local company.

“If you don’t know roofing, know your roofer,” he said.

If the roofer finds damage, then it is time to file a claim, according to Haupts and Maddox.

A similar approach should be used with hail damage to vehicles, according to Haupts.

He recommends getting an estimate from a local auto body repair shop. He said many shops now work directly with insurance companies.

“They can get quicker approval,” he said.

If the hail damage is significant enough, a claim can then be filed with the help of the body shop.