How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim for Roof Damage

What Does Homeowners Insurance Actually Cover?

Standard homeowners insurance policies cover sudden and accidental damage from named perils. For roofing, the most common covered events are:

• Hail damage (the largest category in most of the US)
• Wind damage -- lifting, missing shingles, blown-off flashing
• Storm damage -- falling branches, debris impact
• Fire damage
• Weight of ice or snow in some climates

What insurance does NOT cover: normal wear and aging, granule loss from age, improper installation, animals or pests, and damage from deferred maintenance. If your roof failed because it was old, insurance will not pay. If it failed because of a specific covered event, it almost certainly will.

Step 1: Document the Damage Before Anything Else

This is the most important step and the one most homeowners skip. Before any temporary repairs or cleanup, document the damage thoroughly:

• Take date-stamped photos and video of all visible damage -- from the ground, from ladders, and inside the attic if water has penetrated.
• Photograph damage to gutters, siding, and other property -- these corroborate that the event was severe enough to cause damage.
• Note the date of the weather event and record the storm from weather history services if possible.
• Document any interior damage from water entry -- ceiling stains, wet insulation, damaged belongings.

You can do temporary emergency repairs (tarping) to prevent further damage without voiding your claim. Document what you did and when. See our Temporary Roof Repair Guide for what is appropriate.

Step 2: Get a Professional Contractor Inspection

Before calling your insurer, have a roofing contractor inspect the damage and produce a written report. This report should:

• Identify specific damage (granule loss on specific slopes, impact marks, missing or lifted shingles)
• Attribute damage to the specific storm event with date and type
• Distinguish storm damage from pre-existing wear or age-related issues
• Include close-up photographs documenting the specific damage points
• Provide a scope of repair or replacement with itemized costs

This report becomes your primary evidence in the claim process. Most reputable contractors provide storm damage inspections at no charge.

Step 3: File the Claim

Contact your insurer to open a claim. Have the following ready:

• Your policy number
• Date of the weather event
• Brief description of what happened and what damage you found
• Your contractor inspection report and photos

The insurer will assign an adjuster and schedule a time to assess the damage. This typically takes 5-14 business days from when you file.

File promptly. Most policies have a claim filing window (often 1-2 years), but waiting creates problems. Storm data becomes harder to verify, your contractor is no longer as available for adjuster meetings, and adjusters are more skeptical of old claims.

Step 4: The Adjuster Visit

This is where many homeowners leave money on the table by not being prepared:

• Have your contractor present. Adjusters and contractors assess damage differently. Having a contractor on-site ensures that damage your contractor identified is specifically shown to and acknowledged by the adjuster.
• Do not do permanent repairs before the adjuster visit. Temporary tarping is fine. Permanent repairs before an adjuster assessment may void the relevant part of your claim.
• Ask questions. If the adjuster excludes something, ask specifically why it is excluded and on what policy grounds.
• Take your own photos during the adjuster visit. Document what they looked at and what they said.

Step 5: Reviewing the Settlement Offer

After the adjuster visit, your insurer will produce a scope of loss and a settlement number. Compare it carefully to your contractor's estimate:

• Make sure the scope matches what your contractor identified -- missing items should be questioned.
• Check the unit pricing the insurer used against your contractor's actual costs. Insurer pricing databases are sometimes below current market rates.
• Understand whether the offer is ACV or RCV. If ACV, you will receive a depreciated initial payment and a supplemental payment once work is complete, up to the RCV limit.
• If the offer is significantly lower than your contractor's estimate, your contractor can help prepare a supplement requesting additional coverage.

What to Watch Out For

• "We will waive your deductible" offers: This is insurance fraud in most states. Any contractor offering to eat your deductible is doing something improper and putting you at legal risk.
• Assignment of Benefits (AOB): Some contractors ask homeowners to sign over insurance proceeds to them directly. This is legal in some states but removes your control over the process. Understand what you are signing.
• Storm chaser contractors: After major events, out-of-town crews descend rapidly. Some are legitimate regional contractors. Many disappear after collecting payments. Verify license, insurance, and local references before signing anything.

Full guide: How to Choose a Roofing Contractor

If Your Claim Is Denied or Underpaid

You have options if you believe the claim was handled improperly:

1. Request a written explanation of exactly why the claim was denied or reduced.
2. Provide additional documentation -- contractor reports, weather data, photos.
3. Request re-inspection with your contractor present if they were not initially.
4. File a formal dispute or complaint with your state insurance commissioner if you believe the denial is improper.
5. Consult a public adjuster or insurance attorney who specializes in property claims if the amount in dispute is significant.