How roof insurance claims work

This is a general guide to how a roof insurance claim usually works. It is not legal or insurance advice. Your policy and your insurance company decide what is covered, and Roof Revivers cannot promise any claim outcome.

The roof insurance claim process, step by step

1. Make sure everyone is safe and limit further damage. If water is coming in, move belongings, catch drips, and take reasonable steps to prevent more damage, such as a temporary tarp. Policies commonly expect you to protect the property from further damage. Keep receipts for any emergency work.
2. Document the damage. Take dated photos and video of the roof from the ground, any debris, the gutters, and any interior water stains. Write down the date of the storm or when you first noticed the problem.
3. Get a roof inspection. A roofing contractor can inspect the roof, document storm damage with photos, and tell you whether the damage looks like a sudden event or long-term wear. See how a roof inspection works after a storm.
4. Read your policy and contact your insurer. Check your deductible, whether your roof coverage is replacement cost or actual cash value, and any reporting deadlines. Then file the claim with your insurance company or agent. Deadlines vary by policy and state. See Ohio and North Carolina.
5. Meet the adjuster. The insurer usually sends an adjuster to inspect the roof. Many homeowners like to have their roofer there too, so the damage they documented gets looked at.
6. Review the decision and scope. If the claim is approved, review the insurer's scope of work line by line against your contractor's estimate. If something was missed or the claim was denied, you can ask the insurer about supplements, a re-inspection or their appeal process. See roof claim denied: what next.
7. Schedule the work. Once the scope is settled, schedule the repair or replacement. Payment and any depreciation holdback are handled according to your policy. Your deductible is your responsibility.

Common terms

• Deductible: the amount you pay before coverage applies.
• Actual cash value (ACV): payment that subtracts depreciation for the roof's age.
• Replacement cost value (RCV): coverage for the cost to replace, often paid in two parts, with the depreciation released after the work is done.
• Supplement: a request to the insurer to add items missed from the original scope.

More insurance guides

Insurance help center · Claim help · Columbus hail damage · Columbus storm damage · What affects roof repair cost

Frequently asked questions

Does homeowners insurance cover roof damage?

Policies generally cover sudden, accidental damage such as hail or wind, and generally exclude wear and tear, age and lack of maintenance. Your own policy wording decides what is covered. See hail damage in Ohio and wind damage in North Carolina.

Can a roofer guarantee my claim will be approved?

No. Only your insurance company decides coverage. A roofer can inspect and document the damage, but no contractor can promise a claim outcome.

Do I have to pay my deductible?

Yes. The deductible is the policyholder's responsibility under the policy.

Should I call my insurer or a roofer first?

Many homeowners get an inspection first to find out whether there is storm damage worth claiming, then contact their insurer. Either order works. Check your policy for reporting deadlines.