Heat, hail, and thunderstorms should certainly keep Texas homeowners on their toes, but with the right guidance, filing insurance claims and fixing up your roof won’t be so bad. You just need to know what’s ahead of you — and that you’re in good hands.
That’s why we’re going to take you through each step of the claims process. After all, it’s no secret that Texas’ unlicensed and under-regulated roofing market generates plenty of headlines about scams, fraud, and homeowner horror stories. You need a roofer who knows the field and is in this business to build relationships and keep a roof over the community’s head.
My Roof is Damaged. What’s Next?
So, the storm has subsided, and you’re pretty sure something’s wrong. Now what? It’s time to inspect the damage. Remember, your personal safety is the top concern. If you lack experience, don’t start climbing ladders, walking on a wet roof, or getting creative with the tools and resources closest at hand to cover up severe damage.
Instead, try circling your home from the yard to see what’s visible. Check if more damage can be seen through a window on a higher floor. Just remember not to put yourself in a dangerous position. After all, a contractor will handle the more thorough inspection next, and then an adjuster will conduct yet another if the damage is claim-worthy.
Step 1: Have a Contractor Determine Claimworthiness.
The first thing you need to do is get an expert opinion on the claimworthiness of your damage. To do this, simply schedule an inspection with a contractor, and they’ll handle the rest. Your contractor will arrive, inspect all damage, and then determine if the damage warrants a claim. If it is claim-worthy, then you’ll continue to the next step – initiating a claim with your carrier. If it isn’t, your contractor will work with you on a cash estimate.
Step 2: Call Your Carrier to Initiate the Claim.
It’s time to begin filing your claim. In our experience, it’s best to call your insurance carrier directly. This will initiate the claim process immediately — as opposed to calling an agent who may end up just redirecting you to the carrier anyway.
Your carrier will assign an adjuster to your case, a specialist who investigates property damage and determines how much repairs will cost. In our experience, in-house adjusters (employees of your carrier) have a great track record of writing fair claims. But when they’re overwhelmed, they often rely on third-party (or “in-network”) adjusters to pick up the slack. With third parties, it’s more of a gamble.
While all adjusters carry a license, some third-party firms send “picture takers” to collect evidence for an adjuster sitting at a desk. The “picture taker” may not be licensed and often isn’t willing or trained to properly inspect the roof.
Step 3: The Adjuster Begins the Inspection.
Now that you’ve initiated your claim, the adjuster will schedule a time to inspect your property. In most cases, they can begin within a week. Once they arrive, they’ll begin by walking around the sides of the house, documenting anything and everything that’s damaged. That could include fencing, landscape lighting, patio furniture, windows, gutters, screens — you name it.
Then, they’ll do a close inspection of the roof, which often involves climbing onto it. This lets them accurately assess the extent of the damage, as well as spot any hidden issues not visible from the ground. If the roof is steep or dangerous to walk on, the adjuster can call in a “steep crew” that has the training and safety gear needed to assist the adjuster.
Despite what you might hear, adjusters aren’t obligated to meet with contractors. It’s just a matter of convenience. If anything, having both on-premise can introduce a bit of occupational tension, as the contractor may become a “backseat adjuster” to ensure the estimate is in their favor. If your contractor finds that the adjuster missed an item, it can usually be resolved with a simple phone call or email.
Step 4: Adjuster Determines Payout.
What about the cost? Ultimately, the complexity of the repair is the most significant factor — particularly if a general contractor is needed to oversee multiple tradespeople. For simple roof, gutter, and screen repairs, this won’t be necessary. But for complex projects involving water damage restoration, carpeting, drywall installation, painting, etc., GCO&P (General Contractor Overhead and Profit) may be added to the equation.
Most carriers estimate repair and reconstruction costs by entering their damage observations into a program called Xactimate, which produces highly accurate estimates using local material and labor prices. Once this process is complete, if your contractor finds additional damage the adjuster missed, they can submit a “supplement” to request additional funds from your carrier.
Others take a different route, using a service called Roof Marketplace, which sends someone out to document the damage and then lets three contractors send bids to the homeowners. The homeowner chooses the contractor, and then Roof Marketplace sends the quote to the carrier for approval.
In this process, you’ll probably run into a few confusing insurance payout and line items. Here’s what you need to know:
- Depreciation: The value your roof has lost due to age and wear. It’s a crucial factor in determining how much your insurance company will pay for repairs or replacement. Depreciation is initially withheld.
- RCV (Replacement Cost Value): The full cost of repairing or replacing your roof without considering depreciation. Homeowners with RCV coverage typically pay only a deductible, with insurance covering the rest.
- ACV (Actual Cash Value): The current value of your roof after “x” years of depreciation. Homeowners with ACV coverage might pay more than just the deductible to complete repairs due to lower payouts from depreciation.
Step 5: The Repairs are Completed.
Once the damages are repaired, you’re just about done with the claims process. Your contractor should send you a certificate of completion, which acts as proof that repairs have been completed as claimed. All you have to do is submit this certificate along with other relevant receipts or invoices to your carrier. If applicable, your insurance carrier will then release any remaining funds.
We’re Here to Help
Want to learn more? You can read our comprehensive insurance guide and click through the links within to explore the full series.
DFW Roofers has served the Dallas-Fort Worth area for years. If you need a dependable partner and contractor throughout this process, our team would be happy to help. If you have any questions, contact DFW Roofers at (469) 751-4018 or schedule an appointment through our online appointment form.