Key takeaways
- Read your policy for your deductible, coverage type and reporting deadline before you file.
- Photograph damage inside and out, and keep receipts for emergency protection.
- Having your roofer at the adjuster's inspection helps make sure damage isn't missed.
- Payment often comes in stages, and your mortgage lender may be named on the check.
- If you disagree with the estimate, ask for the details in writing and share your roofer's documentation.
Read your policy before you file
Before you call, pull out your homeowner's policy or ask your agent to walk you through it. Look for a few key items:
- Your deductible. Some policies have a separate deductible for wind and hail. Sometimes it is figured as a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat amount.
- Replacement cost or actual cash value. Replacement cost coverage generally pays to replace the damaged roof with similar materials. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation for age and wear, which can make a big difference on an older roof.
- Reporting deadlines. Many policies require you to report damage within a certain time after a storm.
- What is excluded. Normal wear and tear, poor maintenance and old leaks usually aren't covered.
Nothing here is legal or insurance advice. Policies vary too much for any general explanation to replace reading your own.
Document the damage and protect the house
Take photos before anything is cleaned up or repaired. Cover all sides of the house, plus dented gutters and vents, damaged siding and screens, debris in the yard, and any water stains or wet insulation inside. Note the date of the storm.
Most policies also expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage. That usually means getting a tarp over openings and catching leaks inside. If tarping means getting on the roof, have a roofer do it. Keep every receipt.
Many homeowners have a roofer inspect before or around the time they file. That way you know what damage exists and have photos from on the roof itself. For help with signs you can check yourself, see how to spot hail damage on a roof.
Filing the claim and the adjuster visit
You can usually file by phone, online or through your agent. You will get a claim number. Write it down and use it every time you contact the insurer.
The insurer then assigns an adjuster, who schedules a time to inspect. After a widespread storm, adjusters are busy, and it may take a while to get on their calendar.
At the inspection, the adjuster looks at the roof, gutters, siding and any interior damage, then writes up an estimate of what the insurer will cover. It helps to have your roofer there. They can point out damage, answer questions about the roof's construction, and note items like flashing, vents or a second layer of shingles that affect the scope of work.
Ask the adjuster when you can expect a written estimate. Ask, too, who to contact if you have questions.
How payment often works
Payment details depend on your policy, but a few patterns are common:
- Deductible first. Your deductible is subtracted from the covered amount.
- Payment in stages. With replacement cost coverage, the first check is often for the actual cash value. The held-back depreciation is paid after the work is done and the insurer gets proof of completion.
- Your lender may be on the check. If you have a mortgage, the lender's name is often on the check, which means an extra step to endorse it.
Keep copies of the estimate, every check and all correspondence. Your deductible is your responsibility. Be cautious of anyone who offers to waive or absorb it. For more on that, see how to avoid storm-chaser roofers.
If you disagree with the adjuster's estimate
Sometimes an estimate misses damage, leaves out items like vents or flashing, or treats a repairable area differently than a roofer would. You have options:
- Ask for clarity. Request the itemized estimate in writing, and ask the adjuster to explain anything you don't understand.
- Send more documentation. Share your roofer's photos and written notes. Insurers often review additional information, and additional costs found during the work are sometimes submitted as a supplement.
- Ask about a reinspection. Many insurers will send an adjuster back out.
- Check your policy. Some policies include an appraisal process for disputes over the amount of a loss.
If you still have concerns about how a claim is being handled, your state's department of insurance takes consumer questions. For anything involving your legal rights, talk to an attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Will filing a roof claim raise my premium?
It depends on your insurer, your policy and your claim history, so no one can say for certain. Your agent can explain how claims are typically handled under your policy before you file.
Should my roofer be there when the adjuster inspects?
It often helps. A roofer can point out damage and explain construction details that affect the work, and you get a second set of eyes on the roof. Ask your insurer if you are unsure how they handle it.
Will insurance pay to replace an old roof?
Insurance generally covers sudden storm damage, not wear from age. On an older roof, especially with actual cash value coverage, depreciation can reduce what you receive. Your policy terms decide the details.
3 min read.