When to File a Roofing Insurance Claim
Most homeowners policies cover sudden, accidental roof damage from wind, hail, or falling debris. They do not cover gradual wear, age-related failure, or neglect. If your roof was damaged by a specific storm event, you probably have a valid claim.
Signs you should file:
- Visible hail hits on shingles, vents, or gutters
- Missing or cracked shingles after a windstorm
- Interior water stains after a storm
- Granules in your gutters beyond normal wear
- A tree branch or debris hit the roof
Step 1: Document the Damage
Before you call anyone, document everything. Photos and video are your most important evidence.
Take photos of:
- Every visibly damaged area of the roof (if you can safely access it)
- Any interior water damage
- Debris on the ground around the house
- The general condition of the neighborhood after the storm
- Dents on cars, gutters, HVAC units, or windows (proves the storm had hail big enough to damage shingles)
Date every photo. Save the raw images somewhere backed up.
Step 2: Call a Licensed Roofing Contractor First
Before calling your insurance company, get a licensed roofer to inspect the roof. A good roofer will document the damage properly, know what an insurance adjuster looks for, and give you an honest assessment of whether the damage is worth filing a claim over.
Do NOT sign anything the roofer offers that includes phrases like "assignment of benefits" or "contingent contract" unless you understand exactly what it means. Some roofers try to lock you into using them before the claim is even filed.
Step 3: Call Your Insurance Company
Once you know you have legitimate storm damage, call your insurer and file the claim. They will assign a claim number and schedule an adjuster to inspect your roof.
When you call, be factual: "I had a hailstorm on [date]. A licensed roofing contractor inspected the roof and found hail damage. I would like to file a claim." Do not speculate about what it will cost or what work needs to be done — that is for the adjuster and your roofer to determine.
Step 4: Be Present at the Adjuster Meeting
This is the most important step most homeowners skip. Be there when the adjuster inspects the roof, and have your roofer there too.
The adjuster is looking for damage that matches the storm you reported. Your roofer knows what actual hail damage looks like and where adjusters sometimes miss it. Having both on the roof at the same time dramatically improves your chances of a fair settlement.
Step 5: Review the Scope of Loss
After the adjuster finishes, they send you a document called the "scope of loss" — a list of everything they think the insurance will pay for, with itemized pricing based on their estimating software (usually Xactimate).
Do NOT just accept it. Have your roofer review every line item. Common things adjusters miss or underpay:
- Starter strip
- Ridge cap quantities
- Pipe jacks and flashing
- Drip edge
- Ice and water shield
- Tear-off of multiple layers
- Ventilation replacement
- Code-required upgrades
- Overhead and profit (often called "O&P")
If your roofer finds line items missing or underpaid, they submit a "supplement" — a formal request for the insurance company to revise the scope. Good roofers do this as part of the job.
Step 6: Get Paid, Get the Work Done
Once the scope is finalized and you sign the contract with your roofer, the insurance company pays in two installments:
1. Initial payment: Usually the actual cash value (ACV) of the roof, minus your deductible.
2. Depreciation recovery: Paid after the work is completed and you submit proof.
Your roofer handles coordinating the installation. The deductible is your out-of-pocket — by law in most states, the roofer cannot waive or absorb it.
What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied
Denial does not mean the end. Options:
1. Request a reinspection — Adjusters miss damage all the time. A second pair of eyes often reverses the decision.
2. Hire a public adjuster — A licensed public adjuster works for you, not the insurance company. They typically charge 10-15% of the settlement.
3. File a complaint with your state insurance commissioner — Free to do. Sometimes it gets the insurance company to reconsider.
4. Consult an attorney — For large claims where the denial feels unreasonable.
The Bottom Line
Most roofing insurance claims are winnable if you document properly, get a licensed roofer involved early, and show up at the adjuster meeting. The biggest mistake homeowners make is trusting the first adjuster number — over half the time, the initial scope underestimates the real cost of a proper roof replacement. A good roofer will help you get a fair settlement without any of it coming out of your pocket (except the deductible).