Storm and roof damage claims: how the process works

How does a storm damage insurance claim work?

A storm claim follows the same basic path in every state. You report the damage, the insurer assigns an adjuster, the adjuster inspects and writes an estimate, and the insurer pays, partly pays or denies under the terms of your policy. NAIC advises contacting your agent or company as soon as possible, because policies have reporting deadlines.

State law sets the clock. In Florida, the insurer must acknowledge your claim communications within 7 days, finish any physical inspection within 30 days after it receives proof-of-loss statements, and pay or deny within 60 days after notice (Fla. Stat. 627.70131). In Texas, the Department of Insurance says the company has 15 business days to confirm it got your claim and 15 business days to decide after it has everything it needs.

Wind and hail claims are common. Triple-I reports 2.80 wind and hail claims per 100 insured homes each year (2019 to 2023 average), with an average payment of $14,747, and wind and hail made up 42.5% of homeowners losses in 2023. If your claim stalls, our guide to what to do when a claim is denied explains the next steps. The insurance claims hub covers the rest of the process.

What should I photograph and keep after a storm?

The adjuster’s estimate is built from what they can see and measure. Your own record fills the gaps. NAIC advises photographing or filming the damage and listing damaged items before you clean up, and saving damaged items for inspection when you can.

Start outside and work in. Photograph every side of the house, the roof from the ground, gutters, downspouts, vents, window screens, siding, fences, the air conditioner and any fallen limbs. Move inside to ceiling stains, wet insulation in the attic, damaged flooring and contents. Take wide shots that show location, then close-ups.

For hail, photograph dents in soft metal such as gutters, vents and the AC fins, and any hailstones next to a ruler or coin before they melt. Note the date and time the storm hit.

Keep every receipt for tarps, board-up, water removal and drying. NAIC says insurers typically reimburse temporary repairs that prevent further damage when the loss is covered. This is your duty to mitigate. Florida DFS also advises keeping receipts for additional living expenses if you cannot stay in the home.

Is it wind damage or flood damage, and why does it matter?

The cause of the damage often decides which policy pays. NAIC says floods are not covered by a typical homeowners policy, and that damage from ground water, rain runoff and snowmelt is also excluded. FloodSmart says most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood coverage comes from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer.

United Policyholders says standard homeowners policies generally pay for wind damage, so torn shingles, a fallen tree or a broken window usually go on the homeowners claim. Rising water from storm surge or an overflowing river usually goes on the flood policy. If you have both, you may file two claims with two adjusters.

The hard cases sit in between. United Policyholders notes that Hurricane Milton produced disputes over wind-driven rain, where water entered through wind damage, and that cause can be hard to sort out when wind and water hit at the same time. That is why the photos in the section above matter: a water line on the walls, debris lines in the yard and roof openings above wet ceilings all help show the sequence. For more on flood cleanup, see our flood hub.

How do deductibles work on storm and roof claims?

Your deductible is the part of a covered loss you pay. Storm claims can carry a different deductible than other claims, so check your declarations page before you assume a number.

Under Florida law, when a roof deductible applies, the insurer may pay only the roof’s actual cash value until you show proof you paid the deductible, such as a canceled check or financing agreement (Fla. Stat. 627.7011). Our hurricane deductible entry explains the terms.

A contractor who offers to “cover” your deductible is a red flag. In Florida, that is a felony. See storm chaser scams.

What is the matching rule for roofs and siding?

Storms rarely damage every shingle or siding panel. When only some are replaced, the new ones may not match the old ones. Matching rules decide whether the insurer pays to replace undamaged pieces next to the damaged area so the result looks uniform.

Florida has a statute on this. When a homeowners policy settles on repair or replacement cost and the replaced items do not match in quality, color or size, the insurer must make reasonable repairs or replacement of items in adjoining areas (Fla. Stat. 626.9744). The law applies “unless otherwise provided by the policy,” so your policy wording still matters. The statute does not name roofs, but it covers items in general.

Other states handle matching through regulation, policy language or case law, and the rules differ. Ask your adjuster in writing how matching was handled in your estimate, and ask your state insurance department how matching works in your state. If you disagree with the result, a licensed public adjuster or attorney can review it.

What are Florida’s rules for roofing claims and contractors?

Florida has passed specific laws aimed at roof claims. Several protect you directly.

Under Fla. Stat. 489.147, a contractor may not offer you a rebate, gift card, cash or a deductible waiver to get a roof inspection or claim filed. A contractor may not interpret your policy, advise you on coverage or adjust your claim unless also licensed as a public adjuster. Any repair agreement must come with a good-faith, itemized estimate. Roof contracts must carry a bold notice telling you to contact your insurer to verify coverage before you sign.

If you sign a roof contract within 180 days of a Governor’s emergency declaration for your area, you may cancel it within 10 days after signing or the official start of work, whichever comes first, without penalty (Fla. Stat. 489.147). Send the notice by certified mail or another provable method.

Deadlines matter too. Florida bars a new or reopened claim not reported within 1 year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim after 18 months, for any peril. For a hurricane, the date of loss is the landfall date (Fla. Stat. 627.70132).

For help with a Florida claim, the DFS Insurance Consumer Helpline is 1-877-693-5236.

What happens after the adjuster’s estimate?

The estimate lists each repair item, a quantity and a price, often written in Xactimate. In Florida, the insurer must send you a copy of any detailed estimate within 7 days after the adjuster writes it (Fla. Stat. 627.70131).

Compare it line by line with your contractor’s written estimate. Look for missing items like drip edge, underlayment, vents, gutters, interior ceiling repair and debris removal. Look at quantities, such as roof squares, as well as prices.

If the policy pays actual cash value first, the check may be smaller than the repair cost. The held-back amount is called recoverable depreciation, and some policies release it after repairs are finished. Ask your insurer what proof it needs and the deadline to claim it.

If something is missing, send your insurer the documentation and ask for a revised estimate. If you still disagree, your options include your insurer’s internal review, your state insurance department, a licensed public adjuster or an attorney. Our public adjuster fees page explains what that help costs.