Filing a roof insurance claim sounds simple — call your insurance company, they send someone out, they pay for the repair. In reality, it's a process with specific steps that, if done wrong, can cost you thousands. Here's the full walkthrough.
Before You File: Get a Contractor Inspection
This is the most important step, and most homeowners skip it. Before you call your insurance company, get a roofing contractor to inspect the damage and provide a written report with photos. This gives you documentation to support your claim — and prevents the insurance company from undervaluing the damage.
Filing the Claim
Call your insurance company's claims line (not your agent — the claims department). Give them the date of the storm, a description of the damage, and tell them you have a contractor's inspection report. They'll assign a claim number and schedule an adjuster visit.
The Adjuster Visit
The insurance adjuster works for the insurance company — not for you. Their job is to assess the damage and determine a payout. This is why your contractor should be present during the inspection. Your contractor can point out damage the adjuster might miss, explain repair methods and associated costs, and push back on undervaluation in real time.
Understanding the Estimate
The adjuster's estimate will use Xactimate — the industry-standard software for insurance repair estimates. It breaks the job into line items with specific prices. Compare this to your contractor's estimate line by line. Discrepancies are common, especially on items like: drip edge replacement, ice and water shield, permits and code upgrades, and haul-away/disposal fees.
Supplements: When the Initial Payout Isn't Enough
If the adjuster's payout doesn't cover the actual cost of repair, your contractor files a supplement. This is additional documentation showing items the adjuster missed or underpriced. Supplements are normal and expected — they're not adversarial. Insurance companies deal with them every day.
Depreciation and Recoverable Depreciation
Most policies issue an initial payment minus depreciation, then release the remaining "recoverable depreciation" after the work is completed. For example, if your roof replacement costs $12,000 and the depreciation is $3,000, you'll get $9,000 upfront (minus your deductible) and the remaining $3,000 after you submit proof of completed repairs.
Your Deductible
Your deductible is your responsibility. In South Carolina, wind/hail deductibles are often 1-2% of your dwelling value — not your standard deductible. On a $400,000 home, that's $4,000-$8,000. Any contractor who offers to "cover your deductible" is committing insurance fraud. Walk away.
Timeline
A typical roof insurance claim takes 30-60 days from filing to final payment. The biggest delays are adjuster scheduling (especially after major storms when claim volume spikes), supplement negotiations, and material lead times for specific shingle types.
Common Mistakes
The three mistakes that cost homeowners the most money: filing without a contractor inspection (leading to underpayment), not being present for the adjuster visit, and waiting too long to file — most policies have a 1-2 year window from the date of damage.
Need help with your project?
Get a free estimate or call us directly. We answer.