How to File a Roof Insurance Claim, Step by Step

Filing a roof claim is something most homeowners do once or twice in a lifetime, which means most people are figuring it out from scratch while a tarp flaps over their bedroom. We help Charlotte-area families through dozens of claims every storm season, from spring hail in Matthews to the wind damage that follows a tropical system up through the Piedmont. The process is not complicated, but the order of the steps matters, and a few small habits can make it go far more smoothly.

One note before we start. We are roofers, not insurance agents or attorneys. Every policy is different, and your adjuster and your policy documents have the final word on coverage. What we can share is what we have seen work for our customers year after year.

Step one: document before anything changes

Before anyone climbs a ladder or touches a shingle, take photos and video. Start wide and work in. Get every side of the house from the street and yard. Then get closer shots of shingles in the grass, dented gutters, damaged siding, broken window screens and anything else that took a hit. Inside, photograph water stains on ceilings, wet insulation in the attic and any damaged belongings.

Turn on the time stamp in your phone’s camera settings if it has one, or simply write the date and time in a notes app as you go. Save a screenshot of the local weather report from that day. Store everything in one folder you can share later.

Step two: prevent more damage, and keep receipts

Most homeowner policies expect you to take reasonable steps to keep damage from getting worse. That usually means getting an emergency tarp on the roof, moving furniture away from leaks and drying out wet areas. Do not wait for the adjuster to see a hole in your roof before covering it. Photograph the damage first, then protect the house.

Keep every receipt: the tarp, the box fan you bought to dry the carpet, the hotel night if the house was unlivable. Many policies reimburse reasonable emergency costs, and the paper trail makes it much easier to ask.

Step three: read your policy and call your insurer

Find your declarations page. It lists your coverage limits and, importantly, your deductible. Many North Carolina policies now carry a separate wind and hail deductible, often written as a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. On a home insured for $350,000, a 2% wind and hail deductible is $7,000. Knowing that number up front helps you decide whether a claim makes sense for smaller damage.

Also check whether your roof is covered at replacement cost or actual cash value. Replacement cost pays to replace damaged materials with new ones, minus your deductible. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation for the age of the roof, which can reduce the check significantly on a 15-year-old roof.

When you call to open the claim, have this ready:

1. Your policy number and the date the storm hit
2. A short, factual description of what you found
3. Your photos and video, ready to upload or email
4. Receipts for any emergency repairs so far
5. A phone number where the adjuster can reach you quickly

Write down your claim number and the name of everyone you speak with, along with the date. A simple running log in a notebook or on your phone saves a lot of frustration later.

Step four: meet the adjuster with your roofer

The insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. You are welcome to have your own roofer there for the visit, and we recommend it. Adjusters see a lot of roofs in a short time after a big storm. A roofer who knows the house can point out damage on a back slope, explain the roof’s ventilation and flashing details, and make sure nothing obvious gets missed. The goal is not to argue. It is to make sure everyone is looking at the same facts.

The best adjuster meetings feel like two people doing a careful inspection together. We bring a chalk stick, a camera and a ladder, and we let the damage speak for itself.

Dana Hollis, Owner

Step five: read the estimate line by line

After the inspection, you will receive a written estimate, often called a scope of loss. It lists every item the insurer plans to pay for, like tear-off, underlayment, shingles, drip edge, pipe boots, ridge vents and debris removal. Sit down with your contractor and compare it to the actual roof. Common items that get missed include starter strip, ice and water shield in valleys, step flashing along walls, and code-required upgrades.

If something looks off, you can ask the insurer for a re-inspection or submit a supplement with photos and measurements. Supplements are normal. They are not a fight, just a request to add items that were overlooked.

How the checks usually arrive

With a replacement cost policy, insurers often pay in two parts. The first check covers the actual cash value, minus your deductible. After the work is finished, your contractor submits the final invoice and photos, and the insurer releases the held-back depreciation. If you have a mortgage, the check may be made out to both you and your lender, which adds a step to get it endorsed. Plan for that time.

Red flags to watch for

After a big storm, out-of-town crews often knock on doors across the neighborhood. Some are honest. Others are not. Be cautious if a contractor:

• Offers to “cover” or waive your deductible. In North Carolina, that can create real problems for you, and it is a warning sign about the contractor.
• Asks you to sign a contract on the spot, before an adjuster has seen the roof.
• Cannot give you a local address, a North Carolina license number and proof of insurance.
• Wants a large cash payment up front.

If the claim is denied or comes in low

A denial or a low estimate is not always the end of the road. Ask the insurer to explain the decision in writing and point to the policy language behind it. If you believe damage was missed, request a re-inspection and send new photos or a roofer’s report. Many policies also describe an appraisal process for disagreements about the amount of a loss. If the stakes are high or the dispute is about coverage itself, it may be worth talking with a licensed public adjuster or an attorney. Stay polite, keep everything in writing and keep adding to your log. Calm, organized homeowners tend to get the clearest answers.

Take your time. A legitimate roofer will still be there next week, and you have every right to get two or three opinions.

If a storm has left you with roof damage and you are not sure where to start, call us at 555-0118. We will come out, give you a straight answer about what we see and whether it looks like a claim worth filing, and walk you through the next steps whether you hire us or not.