Most Texas homeowner policies cover storm damage to your roof. Most denied and underpaid claims aren’t denied because the damage wasn’t real; they’re denied because of how the claim was handled. This is the process, start to finish, from a roofer who’s walked hundreds of Austin roofs with adjusters.
Step 1: Get an inspection before you call anyone
Filing a claim puts a record on your policy whether or not it’s paid. So before you call your insurer, find out whether you actually have damage. A reputable roofer will inspect for free and give you photos. If there’s no damage, you’ve saved yourself a claim. If there is, you now have dated documentation and know what the adjuster should find.
Step 2: Understand what your policy covers
Two things matter most on your declarations page:
- RCV vs. ACV. A Replacement Cost Value policy pays to replace the roof minus your deductible, usually in two payments. An Actual Cash Value policy pays a depreciated amount based on the roof’s age. Some Texas carriers have shifted older roofs to ACV; check yours.
- Wind/hail deductible. Often 1 to 2 percent of the dwelling coverage, which on a $450,000 home is $4,500 to $9,000. That’s your share regardless of the roof price.
Covered: sudden damage from hail, wind, fallen trees, fire and similar events. Not covered: wear, age, neglect and pre-existing problems. This is why the inspection matters; you want to know which you have.
Step 3: File the claim
Call your insurer or file online. You’ll need the approximate storm date (your roofer can help identify it from weather records), a description of the damage and your contact details. You’ll receive a claim number and an adjuster will be assigned, typically within a week or two, longer after major storms.
Step 4: The adjuster inspection
This is the most important step. The adjuster will walk the roof, mark test squares and write a scope of work. Have your roofer there. A contractor who has already documented the damage can point out every slope, every soft metal and every collateral item the adjuster might otherwise miss. We attend adjuster meetings for every claim we’re involved in, at no charge.
Step 5: Review the scope
You’ll receive a written scope and an initial payment. Read it line by line, or have your roofer do it. Common omissions include ice-and-water shield, drip edge, ridge vents, steep or high-roof charges, code upgrades and detached structures. If something’s missing, your roofer requests a supplement with photos. This is routine, not adversarial.
Step 6: The work and the final payment
Once the scope is agreed, the roof is installed. You pay your deductible to the contractor. On an RCV policy, the insurer releases the second payment (the “recoverable depreciation”) when it receives the completion invoice. Your mortgage lender may be a co-payee on checks and will have its own release process.
Texas rules every homeowner should know
- Deductibles cannot be waived. Since 2019, a contractor offering to waive, absorb or rebate your deductible is committing a criminal offense, and insurers can demand proof you paid it. Walk away from any roofer who offers.
- You choose your contractor. Your insurer may suggest a preferred vendor. You are not obligated to use them.
- Deadlines apply. Policies limit how long after a storm you can file. Check your policy; don’t assume you have years.
- Be wary of assignment of benefits. Signing your claim rights over to a contractor removes your control. Don’t sign anything at your door on the day of a storm.
If the claim is denied or underpaid
Ask for the denial in writing and the specific reason. Then compare the adjuster’s findings against your roofer’s documentation and request a re-inspection. Many disputes are resolved this way. If a large claim remains in dispute, a licensed public adjuster or an attorney who handles insurance disputes may be appropriate; a good roofer will tell you when you’ve reached that point.
We handle this process with our customers every storm season. Here’s how it works with Tex Roof, and here’s where to start with a free inspection.