Complete Guide to Storm Damage Insurance Claims

Understanding what your policy covers—and doesn't cover—is essential before filing a claim. Here's what Texas homeowner's insurance typically includes:

Covered Perils

• Hail damage: Impacts to shingles, soft metals, and other roofing components
• Wind damage: Missing, lifted, or cracked shingles from high winds
• Fallen trees: Damage from trees or branches hitting your roof
• Fire damage: Roof damage from fire
• Lightning: Direct strikes and resulting damage
• Tornados: All damage from tornado events

NOT Covered

• Normal wear and tear: Age-related deterioration
• Maintenance issues: Problems from lack of upkeep
• Pre-existing damage: Issues present before the storm
• Flood damage: Requires separate flood insurance
• Cosmetic-only damage: Some policies exclude this

Understanding Your Policy

Key terms to know:

• Deductible: What you pay before insurance kicks in. Typically 1-2% of home value in Texas. For a $300,000 home with 1% deductible, you pay $3,000.
• ACV (Actual Cash Value): Replacement cost minus depreciation. Older roofs get less.
• RCV (Replacement Cost Value): Full cost to replace with similar materials. Better coverage, higher premium.
• Recoverable depreciation: With RCV policies, you get depreciation back after repairs are completed.

The claims process starts the moment you suspect damage. Here's the optimal approach:

Step 1: Document Immediately

Before touching or repairing anything:

• Take photos and videos of all visible damage
• Photograph hailstones with a ruler for size reference
• Document date, time, and weather conditions
• Note any interior water intrusion
• Check soft metals (gutters, vents, AC) for collateral damage

Step 2: Protect Your Property

Your policy requires you to prevent further damage:

• Tarp any holes or exposed areas
• Place buckets under active leaks
• Move valuables away from affected areas
• Keep receipts—insurance reimburses emergency repairs
• Don't make permanent repairs until adjuster inspects

Step 3: Contact Your Insurance

When you call to file:

• Report the storm event and suspected damage
• Get a claim number (write it down)
• Ask about your deductible amount
• Confirm your policy type (ACV vs RCV)
• Ask about cosmetic damage exclusions
• Get estimated timeline for adjuster visit

Step 4: Get Professional Inspection

Before the adjuster arrives:

• Contact a reputable local roofing contractor
• Get a thorough damage assessment
• Have them document all damage with photos
• Get a detailed repair/replacement estimate
• Ask if they'll meet with the adjuster on your behalf

Thorough documentation is the foundation of successful claims. Here's what you need:

Photos & Videos

• Wide shots: Overall property from multiple angles
• Close-ups: Individual damage points
• Soft metals: Gutters, downspouts, vents, AC units, window screens
• Interior: Any water stains, leaks, or ceiling damage
• Hail evidence: Hailstones with ruler for scale
• Timestamps: Ensure photos are dated

Weather Documentation

• NOAA storm reports for your area
• Local news coverage of the storm
• Hail maps showing size and location
• Neighbor reports of damage

Professional Documentation

• Contractor inspection report with photos
• Detailed damage assessment
• Xactimate estimate (same software adjusters use)
• HAAG certification documentation (if applicable)

Records to Keep

• Claim number and all correspondence
• Adjuster's contact information
• All estimates and reports
• Receipts for emergency repairs
• Notes from phone conversations (date, person, what was discussed)

The adjuster inspection is critical. Understanding their process helps you prepare and ensures nothing is missed.

Types of Adjusters

• Staff adjusters: Direct employees of your insurance company
• Independent adjusters: Contractors hired by insurance companies
• Public adjusters: Work for YOU (for a fee, typically 10-15%)

What Adjusters Look For

• Test squares: They examine 10x10 sections for damage count
• Damage pattern: Random (hail) vs uniform (age)
• Collateral damage: Soft metals, screens, outdoor items
• Pre-existing conditions: Age, wear, previous damage
• Causation: Confirming storm caused the damage

Before the Inspection

• Schedule when your contractor can be present
• Have your documentation ready
• Clear access to all areas of the roof
• Note specific damage locations to point out
• Have ladder available if adjuster needs it

During the Inspection

• Be present or have your contractor present
• Point out all damage you've identified
• Ask questions about what they're seeing
• Request they check soft metals (often missed)
• Take your own photos during their inspection
• Ask about timeline for decision

Why Contractor Presence Matters

Having your contractor at the adjuster inspection:

• Ensures all damage is identified
• Provides professional validation
• Catches items adjusters might miss
• Creates collaborative rather than adversarial dynamic
• Establishes baseline for any supplement needed

For insurance claims, contractor selection is especially important. The right contractor advocates for you throughout the process.

Essential Qualifications

• HAAG certification: Insurance-trusted damage assessment
• Local presence: Established in your community
• Licensed and insured: Verify both
• Xactimate experience: Same estimating software as adjusters
• Insurance claim experience: Track record with claims

Red Flags for Insurance Work

• "Storm chasers" who appear after storms
• Offers to waive your deductible (illegal in Texas)
• Pressure to sign before adjuster visit
• No local address or phone
• Asking you to sign over insurance benefits
• Large upfront payments

What a Good Contractor Does

• Free, thorough damage inspection
• Detailed documentation for your claim
• Meets with adjuster at inspection
• Reviews adjuster's estimate for accuracy
• Files supplements for missed items
• Doesn't start work until claim is approved and funded
• Works within insurance-approved scope

Initial insurance estimates often don't cover actual repair costs. Supplemental claims request additional payment for items missed or undervalued.

When Supplements Are Needed

• Hidden damage: Rotted decking not visible until tear-off
• Missed items: Soft metal damage, interior damage
• Code upgrades: Required updates since original installation
• Underestimated costs: Material prices, steep charges, complexity
• Overhead & profit: If working with general contractor

Common Supplement Items

• Decking replacement: Often the largest supplement item
• Steep pitch charges: Roofs 7/12 and above
• Code-required ventilation: Changes since original installation
• Ice and water shield: Now required in many areas
• Drip edge: Required by current code
• Soft metals: Often missed in initial inspection

The Supplement Process

1. 1. Discovery: Contractor identifies items not in original estimate
2. 2. Documentation: Photos and itemized list of additional work
3. 3. Xactimate estimate: Detailed pricing using industry standards
4. 4. Submission: Sent to insurance with original claim number
5. 5. Review: Insurance evaluates (may send re-inspector)
6. 6. Approval: Additional payment issued

Supplement Timeline

• Submission: 1-2 days after discovery
• Insurance review: 5-15 business days
• Reinspection (if needed): 1-2 weeks
• Payment: 5-10 days after approval

Total: Typically 2-6 weeks depending on complexity.

Claim denials are frustrating but often reversible. Many initially denied claims are approved on appeal with proper documentation and persistence.

Common Denial Reasons

• Cosmetic damage only: Damage doesn't affect function
• Pre-existing damage: Attributed to age, not storm
• Maintenance issues: Blamed on lack of upkeep
• Not enough damage: Doesn't meet replacement threshold
• No storm reported: Insurance can't verify storm occurred
• Policy exclusions: Specific exclusions in your policy

Steps to Appeal

1. 1. Get denial in writing: Request specific reasons documented
2. 2. Review your policy: Understand exactly what's excluded
3. 3. Gather additional evidence: HAAG report, weather data, neighbor claims
4. 4. Request re-inspection: With your contractor present
5. 5. Submit formal appeal: Written response addressing each denial point
6. 6. Escalate if needed: Supervisor, appraisal, or TDI complaint

The Appraisal Clause

Most Texas policies include an appraisal clause—a dispute resolution process:

• You hire an appraiser, insurance hires one
• The two appraisers select an umpire
• Agreement by any two parties is binding
• Generally resolves disputes over value, not coverage
• Cost: $500-$2,000 typically

When to Get Help

• Public adjuster: Works for you (fee: 10-15% of claim)
• Insurance attorney: For bad faith or significant disputes
• TDI complaint: Texas Department of Insurance investigates

Critical Deadlines

• Filing deadline: 1 year from date of damage (Texas law)
• Recommended filing: Within 2-4 weeks of storm
• Lawsuit deadline: 2 years from date insurance denies/underpays (statute of limitations)

Typical Claim Timeline

After Major Storms

Timelines extend after widespread storms:

• Insurance companies are overwhelmed with claims
• Adjuster wait times can be 4-8 weeks
• Contractor availability is limited
• Material supply may be constrained

Filing early gets you in line faster. Contractors can advocate for expedited processing.

Texas law protects homeowners in insurance disputes. Know your rights:

Guaranteed Rights

• Choose your contractor: Insurance cannot force you to use their preferred vendor
• Timely claim handling: Insurance must acknowledge claims within 15 days
• Written explanation: Denials must be explained in writing
• Appeal process: You can appeal any decision
• Appraisal: Invoke your policy's appraisal clause for disputes
• TDI complaints: File with Texas Department of Insurance

Bad Faith Indicators

Insurance companies must act in good faith. Potential violations include:

• Unreasonable delays in claim handling
• Denying claims without investigation
• Misrepresenting policy language
• Offering significantly less than owed
• Failing to explain denials
• Pressuring you to accept low settlements

Resources

• Texas Department of Insurance: tdi.texas.gov | 1-800-252-3439
• Office of Public Insurance Counsel: Advocates for consumers
• State Bar of Texas: Lawyer referral service