Filing an insurance claim for roof damage can feel confusing, especially the first time. Here's what the process generally looks like for Texas homeowners after hail or wind damage.
1. Document the damage
Before you do anything else, get a professional inspection and documentation of the damage — photos, notes on affected areas, and an assessment of scope. This becomes the foundation of your claim.
2. File your claim
Contact your insurance company to open a claim. You'll typically need your policy number, the approximate date of the storm, and a description of the damage.
3. The adjuster inspection
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the damage independently. It's common practice — and often genuinely helpful — to have your roofing contractor present during this inspection, since they can point out damage the adjuster might otherwise miss.
4. Review the settlement
The insurance company will provide a settlement offer based on the adjuster's findings. This is where thorough documentation from your own inspection matters — if the settlement seems to miss damage you know is there, you can request a re-inspection or provide additional documentation.
5. Complete the work
Once your claim is approved, you can move forward with repairs or replacement. Many policies release funds in two stages: an initial payment, and a final payment once the work is complete and documented.
What to watch for
- Time limits — many policies require claims to be filed within a certain window after the storm
- Depreciation holdbacks — some policies withhold a portion of payment until the work is actually completed
- The difference between "actual cash value" and "replacement cost value" policies, which significantly affects your payout