Filing a roof insurance claim? Follow these steps: document damage, contact your insurer, meet the adjuster, review the estimate, and hire a contractor. Full guide.
Before anything else, photograph everything. Date-stamped photos are your strongest evidence. Photograph your roof from the ground, all interior water staining or damage, any damaged gutters or siding, and fallen debris. If safe, photograph from closer up — but never get on a damaged roof.
Check the date of the storm against weather records (weather.com or NOAA archives will confirm storm events by zip code and date). Insurance companies use this data, and you should have it too.
Your policy likely requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. This means tarping active leaks or covering broken areas. Save all receipts — these emergency repair costs are typically reimbursable under your policy.
Do not do permanent repairs before the insurance adjuster inspects. Repairing the roof before inspection can make it harder to document the full extent of damage.
Call your insurer and open a claim. They'll assign a claim number and schedule an adjuster inspection, typically within 1–2 weeks. Ask the rep specifically: Is this a covered peril? What is my deductible? Is my policy ACV or RCV?
Consider having a roofing contractor present during the adjuster visit. An experienced contractor can point out damage the adjuster might miss and advocate for a fair assessment.
You'll receive a claim estimate (scope of loss) from your insurer. Review it carefully against your contractor's estimate. Common adjuster oversights: missed damaged areas, incorrect measurement of roof size, failure to include code upgrade requirements (O&L — overhead and profit for general contractors).
If the insurance estimate is significantly lower than your contractor's quote, you can negotiate. Provide your contractor's estimate and ask the adjuster to reconsider specific line items. If still unresolved, invoke the appraisal clause in your policy or hire a public adjuster.