How to file a roof insurance claim after hail

A hailstorm can leave you with a roof that looks fine from the driveway and still needs replacing. It can also bring a wave of knocks on the door from people who want you to sign something today. Neither has to rattle you. Filing a roof claim is mostly about doing a few simple things in the right order and keeping good notes.

This guide walks through that order, from the night of the storm to the final check.

The short version

1. Write down the storm date and save proof of it.
2. Photograph damage you can see from the ground, and protect the house from leaks.
3. Read your policy: deductible, roof coverage type, and deadlines.
4. Get an inspection from a licensed, insured local roofer (don't sign a contract yet).
5. File the claim and get a claim number.
6. Be there for the adjuster's inspection.
7. Review the adjuster's estimate line by line.
8. Compare written quotes before you choose a roofer.
9. Finish the work, send the final invoice, and collect any held-back depreciation.

Step 1: Pin down the date of loss

Your insurer will ask when the damage happened. The “date of loss” matters because your deductible, your coverage, and sometimes your filing deadline all hang on it, and because it separates this storm from older damage.

Write down the date and approximate time you heard hail. Then back it up. The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center publishes daily storm reports, including hail size and location, at spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports. NOAA's Storm Events Database later adds reviewed records. A screenshot of a report near your address, plus your own photos of hailstones next to a coin or ruler, is useful evidence.

Step 2: Document what you can safely see, and stop leaks

Stay off the roof. Falls are a real risk, and walking on damaged shingles can make things worse.

From the ground and around the house, photograph:

• Dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents, window screens, and the fins of your AC unit
• Shingle granules collecting at the bottom of downspouts
• Damaged siding, window trim, fences, and vehicles
• Any water stains on ceilings or in the attic

If water is coming in, take reasonable steps to prevent more damage: a tarp, a bucket, moving belongings. Most policies expect you to do this. Keep every receipt, because temporary repairs are often reimbursable. Don't throw away damaged materials until the adjuster has seen them or told you it's fine.

Step 3: Read your policy before you call

Pull up your declarations page (the summary page of your policy) and look for:

• Your deductible. Is it a flat dollar amount or a percentage? Many policies in hail-prone areas carry a separate wind/hail deductible. Our guide to roof deductibles explains the math.
• Replacement cost (RCV) or actual cash value (ACV) for the roof. Some policies pay ACV on older roofs or use a roof payment schedule based on age.
• Cosmetic damage exclusions, especially common on metal roofs.
• Notice requirements. Policies usually require “prompt” notice, and some set a specific window. Don't wait months.

If anything is unclear, call your agent and ask. Asking a question is not the same as filing a claim, but if you're worried about that, ask your agent how they handle it.

Step 4: Get an honest inspection

Before or right around the time you file, have a licensed, insured local roofer inspect the roof. A good inspection tells you whether there is real storm damage and roughly whether repairs would cost more than your deductible. If the answer is no, you may decide not to file at all.

What you should get from that inspection: photos of specific damage, a plain explanation, and (if damage is real) a written, itemized estimate. What you should not be asked to do yet: sign a full contract, sign over your insurance benefits, or pay a deposit.

Some roofers ask homeowners to sign a “contingency agreement” that says they'll do the work if the claim is approved. Read it carefully and know how to cancel before you sign anything (see the state examples below).

Step 5: File the claim

Call your insurer or use its app or website. Write down:

• Your claim number
• The name and contact info of your adjuster once assigned
• What the insurer says happens next and when

Keep a simple log of every call and email: date, who you spoke with, what was said. It feels like overkill until you need it.

Step 6: Be there for the adjuster

The insurer will send an adjuster (a staff adjuster or an independent adjuster working for the insurer) to inspect. Be home if you can. It's reasonable to ask your roofer to be there too, so they can point out damage and agree on measurements on the spot.

Ask the adjuster what they found, how many “test squares” they checked, and when you'll receive the estimate.

Step 7: Read the estimate carefully

The adjuster's estimate is a starting point, not a verdict. Check the roof measurements, the line items (tear-off, underlayment, drip edge, flashing, vents, ridge cap), and how depreciation and your deductible were applied. Our guide on how to read an adjuster's estimate walks through RCV, ACV, depreciation, and overhead and profit in plain English.

If something was missed, your roofer can usually submit a “supplement” with photos and documentation.

Step 8: Compare quotes before choosing a roofer

You don't have to use the first roofer who knocked, or the one your insurer suggests. Get at least two or three written, itemized quotes and compare scope, materials, warranties, and payment terms, not just the bottom line.

You can upload a quote to QuoteVya to see how it stacks up, or post your job and let roofers compete for it. Both are free for homeowners.

Step 9: Finish, invoice, and close it out

If your policy pays replacement cost, the insurer often pays the actual cash value first and releases the held-back (“recoverable”) depreciation after the work is done and they receive the final invoice. Send it promptly, and ask your insurer what its deadline is for claiming that money.

Keep the final invoice, warranty paperwork, permit, and photos in one folder. You'll want them when you sell the house or if there's ever another claim.

Red flags after a storm

• Pressure to sign today, or a “storm special” that expires tonight
• An offer to “cover” or “waive” your deductible
• A request for a large cash deposit before materials are delivered
• No local address, no license where one is required, no proof of insurance
• Someone offering to negotiate your claim for you when they aren't a licensed public adjuster

State rules vary: a few real examples

These are examples, not a complete list. Check your own state's rules or ask your insurance department.

• Colorado (SB12-038, C.R.S. 6-22-101 et seq.) requires a written roofing contract with specific terms, lets you rescind within 72 hours of entering the contract, lets you rescind within 72 hours after receiving written notice from your insurer that the claim is denied in whole or in part, and bars roofers from paying, waiving, or rebating your deductible.
• Texas law requires the policyholder to pay the deductible (Tex. Ins. Code ch. 707), and makes it an offense for a seller of goods or services paid from insurance proceeds to waive, absorb, or rebate it without the insurer's consent (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 27.02).
• Illinois lets you cancel an insurance-funded home repair contract within a set window after a written denial, and bars contractors from filing claims on your behalf or promising to pay your deductible (815 ILCS 513/18).
• Missouri gives you until midnight of the fifth business day after a written denial to cancel a roofing contract paid by insurance (RSMo 407.725).

Separately, the federal FTC Cooling-Off Rule generally lets you cancel a sale of $25 or more made at your home until midnight of the third business day, with some exceptions (for example, certain emergency repairs).

FAQ

Should I call a roofer or my insurance company first?

Many homeowners get a quick inspection from a reputable local roofer first, so they know whether damage is real and likely to exceed the deductible. Just don't sign a contract or hand over your claim during that first visit. Either way, don't wait long to notify your insurer, because policies require prompt notice.

How long do I have to file a hail claim?

It depends on your policy and your state. Policies typically require prompt notice, and some set a specific window. Check your policy's “duties after loss” section or ask your agent, and file sooner rather than later. Damage is easier to tie to a specific storm when it's fresh.

Will filing a hail claim raise my premium?

It can, depending on your insurer and state, but weather claims are often treated differently from claims you could have prevented. Ask your agent how your insurer handles it before you decide.

Do I have to use the roofer my insurance company recommends?

Generally no. You can choose your own licensed contractor. Get written quotes and compare them carefully.

What if the adjuster says there's no damage?

Ask for the decision and reasons in writing, request a reinspection, and bring your own documentation. Our guide on what to do if your roof claim is denied covers your options.

Sources

• NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, Storm Reports: https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/
• NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/
• Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 6, Article 22: https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_title_6_article_22
• Texas Insurance Code ch. 707: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/IN/htm/IN.707.htm
• Texas HB 2102 (2019), enrolled text: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/86R/billtext/html/HB02102F.htm
• Illinois 815 ILCS 513/18: https://www.ilga.gov/Documents/legislation/ilcs/documents/081505130K18.htm
• Missouri RSMo 407.725: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=407.725
• FTC, Cooling-Off Rule: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/buyers-remorse-ftcs-cooling-rule-may-help and 16 CFR 429.1: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/16/429.1