Your Roof Got Hit.
Here's What Happens Next.
Filing a roof insurance claim is confusing — adjusters use their own terminology, the inspection happens fast, and what gets approved depends a lot on what gets documented. I'll walk you through the process honestly, so you know exactly what to expect.
What You're Actually Dealing With
After a major hail event in DFW — and there are a lot of them — your phone starts ringing. Storm chasers show up at the door. Your neighbor files a claim and gets a new roof. You're not sure if your roof was even damaged, or if it was, whether it's worth going through insurance.
Here's the truth: hail damage is almost always invisible from the ground. Granule loss, underlayment bruising, cracked ridge caps — none of it is obvious to a homeowner walking around the yard. It takes someone up on the roof with trained eyes to document what the storm actually did.
That's why the first step is always a thorough inspection with photos and a written report — before you call your insurance company. Once you have a clear picture of what's damaged and documented, you're in a much better position to file an accurate claim.
A Note on What Roofers Can and Cannot Do
Under Texas law, a roofing contractor cannot negotiate your claim, file paperwork on your behalf, or represent you to your insurance company. If you need someone to speak for you in a coverage dispute, that's the role of a licensed public adjuster or an attorney. What our project managers can do — and do well — is document damage thoroughly, be on-site during the adjuster's inspection, and make sure the scope of work reflects what the storm actually did to your roof. For coverage questions, speak with your insurance agent or a licensed public adjuster.
How the Claims Process Typically Works
Every insurance policy is different, but the general process is the same across DFW. Here's what to expect from start to finish.
Get a Professional Inspection First
Before calling your insurer, get a thorough inspection from a qualified roofer. A good inspection documents every item of damage with photos and a written report — including the hail size, storm date, number of impact points per shingle, and any secondary damage to flashing, ridge caps, gutters, and vents. This documentation is what your claim is built on. Don't file blind.
File Your Claim with Your Insurance Company
Contact your homeowner's insurance company directly — by phone or through their app — and report the storm damage. Have the storm date ready. They'll assign a claim number and schedule an adjuster to come out. This is your claim to file; your roofer cannot do this for you, and you shouldn't want them to.
The Insurance Adjuster Inspects Your Roof
The adjuster — an employee or independent contractor hired by your insurer — comes to assess the damage and determine the scope of the claim. This visit usually takes 30–90 minutes. How thorough they are depends on the adjuster and their workload. After a major storm event, they may be inspecting dozens of roofs a week.
Your Project Manager Can Be On-Site During the Adjuster Visit
This is one of the most valuable things we offer. A T-Rock project manager can be present during the adjuster's inspection — not to speak for you or negotiate on your behalf, but to make sure the documented damage is fully visible and accounted for. If our inspection found 40 impact points per square on the back slope, we want that slope walked. Adjusters are not adversaries, but having a qualified second set of eyes on the roof helps ensure the inspection is complete.
Review the Estimate of Loss (EOL)
After the inspection, your insurer sends an Estimate of Loss — a line-by-line breakdown of what they're approving for repair or replacement, including depreciation, your deductible, and the initial payment amount. Read this carefully. If something looks incorrect or items were missed, you can request a re-inspection or consult a licensed public adjuster to review the estimate. Your roofer can provide their own scope for comparison, but they cannot negotiate the claim for you.
Work Begins — Your Deductible Is Due
Once you approve the scope and sign the contract, T-Rock's licensed crew schedules your job. Most DFW residential replacements are done in a single day. Your deductible is due at time of service — this is required by Texas law and cannot be waived or absorbed by the contractor. After the work is complete, your insurer releases the recoverable depreciation payment directly to you.
What Insurance Adjusters Look For
Understanding the adjuster's process helps you know what matters — and what to make sure gets documented before they arrive.
Storm Date Confirmation
Adjusters verify that the documented storm actually hit your area on the date you filed. They cross-reference NOAA storm data and hail mapping reports. Accurate storm date information from your initial inspection supports your claim.
Impact Density
The number of hail impacts per square (100 sq ft) is a key metric. Most insurers require a minimum threshold — often 6–8 functional impacts per square — to approve a full replacement. Adjusters count hits on test squares to establish density.
Roof Measurements
Adjusters calculate total roof area to determine material and labor costs. T-Rock uses third-party aerial measurement reports for accurate dimensions — the same data insurers rely on — so there's no dispute about square footage.
Secondary Damage Components
Beyond shingles, adjusters assess gutters, downspouts, ridge caps, flashing, vents, skylights, and A/C condenser fins. These items are often missed on rushed inspections — and they're legitimate damage items your claim should include.
Pre-Existing Wear vs. Storm Damage
Adjusters distinguish between new storm damage and pre-existing wear. This is where documentation from your pre-claim inspection matters most — fresh impact marks look different from long-term granule loss, and a trained eye can tell the difference.
Code Compliance Requirements
Texas building codes require certain upgrades when a roof is replaced — including drip edge, ice and water shield, and proper underlayment. These items must be included in any code-compliant scope of work, and your insurer should cover them.
What Commonly Gets Left Off Claims
After a major storm event, adjusters are working fast. These items are frequently underdocumented or missed entirely — which is why a thorough pre-claim inspection matters.
Back Slopes
Street-facing slopes get inspected closely. The back of your house — where the worst hail often hits — gets missed when inspections are rushed.
Ridge Caps
Ridge cap shingles take the hardest hits. They're also the most commonly omitted line item from initial estimates.
Gutters & Downspouts
Hail dents aluminum gutters and can damage downspouts. These are billable damage items that insurers should cover.
Pipe Collars & Vent Boots
Rubber seals on pipe collars crack under hail impact and UV. They're inexpensive but critical — and frequently left off estimates.
Drip Edge Code Upgrade
Texas building code requires drip edge on replacements. If the adjuster misses this line item, your contractor will need to add it — and your insurer should cover it.
Attic Ventilation
Ridge vents, box vents, and attic fans can sustain hail damage. Missing these means your home runs hotter and your new roof ages faster.
Get Your Roof Documented Before the Adjuster Arrives
The inspection report we put together is the foundation of a complete, accurate claim. Request yours — it's free, no obligation.
Request a Free Inspection or call me directly at 214-903-9290Know Your Rights as a Texas Homeowner
Texas homeowners have strong protections when it comes to insurance claims. Here's what you're entitled to — and what your insurer is required to do.
Timely Acknowledgment
Your insurer must acknowledge your claim within 15 days of receiving it and accept or deny the claim within 15 business days after receiving all required documentation (Texas Insurance Code §542.056).
Right to Dispute
If you believe your claim was underpaid or improperly denied, you can request an appraisal — most homeowner policies in Texas include an appraisal clause that allows both sides to bring in independent appraisers to resolve disagreements.
Public Adjuster Option
A licensed public adjuster (PA) works for you — not the insurance company — and can negotiate your claim on your behalf. If you feel your claim wasn't handled fairly, a PA is the right professional to bring in. Find licensed PAs through the Texas Department of Insurance.
Supplemental Claims
If your contractor finds additional damage during the repair process that wasn't included in the original estimate, they can submit a supplemental claim to your insurer. This is normal and common — especially after major hail events.
Deductible Is Required by Law
Your deductible must be paid. Under Texas law (HB 2102), a contractor cannot waive, absorb, or pay your deductible — doing so is a Class B misdemeanor. Any contractor offering to "cover your deductible" is offering something illegal and likely cutting corners elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with a Free Inspection
You don't need to figure this out alone. I'll walk you through what we found, what it means for your claim, and what to expect next — no pressure, no runaround.
Request Your Free Inspection or call me directly: 214-903-9290 — same-day response