Roof and Hail Damage Insurance Claims: A Homeowner's Guide

Homeowners insurance usually covers roof damage caused suddenly by wind or hail, but not damage from age, wear or poor maintenance. How much you're paid depends on two things: your deductible, which may be a percentage of your home's insured value, and whether your roof is covered at replacement cost or actual cash value.

Before you file, pull out your declarations page. Look for a separate wind/hail or hurricane deductible and any roof endorsements. Those details often matter more than the damage itself.

Step 1: Document the damage safely

Don't climb on a damaged roof. From the ground and inside the home, gather:

• Photos and video of missing or lifted shingles, dents in gutters, vents and siding, and broken windows
• Photos of hail on the ground, with a coin or ruler for size, if you can get them right away
• Interior water stains, wet insulation and ceiling damage
• The date and time of the storm

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) advises making a list of damaged property, taking photos or video, and not throwing away damaged items until an adjuster has seen them (TDI claim guide ↗).

Step 2: Make temporary repairs only

Tarp the roof or board up openings to stop rain from getting in. TDI says to make only the repairs needed to protect your home from further damage, not to make permanent repairs until your insurer tells you to, and to save all repair receipts (TDI claim guide ↗).

Step 3: Report the claim promptly

Report the damage as soon as you can. Deadlines vary by state and policy:

• In Florida, a new or reopened claim must be reported within 1 year of the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months (Fla. Stat. 627.70132 ↗).
• For Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) policies, TDI says you have one year from the date of damage to file a wind or hail claim (TDI home guide ↗).

Hail damage can be hard to see from the ground. Waiting months can make it harder to prove which storm caused it. Check your state's page for local rules.

Step 4: Be there for the roof inspection

The insurer will send an adjuster, and sometimes an engineer or roofing inspector. TDI suggests walking around with the adjuster to make sure nothing is missed, and you may want your own contractor there too (TDI claim guide ↗).

During the inspection:

• Point out every area of damage, including gutters, vents, skylights, siding, fences and screens
• Ask how many "hits" or damaged shingles the adjuster counted per section of the roof
• Ask whether the adjuster thinks the damage is from the storm or from age, and why
• Take your own notes and photos

Ask for a copy of the estimate. In California, insurers must give you a copy of any estimate the settlement is based on (10 CCR 2695.9 ↗). Other states have different rules.

Watch out for storm chasers. The NAIC warns that some contractors come into disaster areas to take advantage of victims. It recommends local, trusted companies, more than one bid, and having your adjuster review estimates before repairs. You are not required to sign an assignment of benefits to get repairs done (NAIC ↗).

ACV vs. replacement cost: why roof age matters

This is one of the biggest factors in your payment.

• Replacement cost value (RCV) pays what it costs to replace the roof today, minus your deductible.
• Actual cash value (ACV) pays replacement cost minus depreciation, which is the drop in value from age and wear.

TDI's example shows how much this matters. For a $10,000 roof with a $4,000 deductible, replacement cost coverage pays $6,000. ACV coverage pays $4,500 if the roof is 5 years old, $3,000 if it's 10 years old, and $0 if it's 20 years old (TDI ↗).

TDI also notes that as roofs age, some insurers switch roof coverage to actual cash value (TDI ↗). Check your renewal notices for roof endorsements or payment schedules.

Some states limit what insurers can do based on roof age. In Florida, insurers can't refuse to write or renew a policy solely because a roof is under 15 years old, and for older roofs they must allow an inspection before requiring replacement (627.7011 ↗).

The depreciation holdback: getting your second check

With replacement cost coverage, payment often comes in two parts. TDI says the first check is partial and the rest comes after repairs start (TDI ↗). The amount held back is often called recoverable depreciation.

How to collect it:

1. Read your policy for any deadline to finish repairs. TDI notes you usually must complete repairs within a certain time (TDI home guide ↗).
2. Sign a contract and complete the work.
3. Send the insurer the final invoice and proof of payment.
4. Ask for the held-back amount in writing.

State rules differ. In Florida, insurers must first pay at least the ACV minus the deductible, then pay the rest as work is performed (627.7011 ↗). United Policyholders points out that depreciation is subjective and negotiable ↗, so question a depreciation rate that seems too high.

Wind/hail and hurricane deductibles

Many policies in storm-prone areas use a separate deductible for wind and hail.

• Percentage deductibles are based on your home's insured value, not the claim amount. They typically range from 1% to 5% (Triple-I ↗). On a $300,000 home, a 5% deductible means the first $15,000 is yours to pay.
• Wind/hail deductibles apply to any kind of wind damage. Hurricane deductibles apply only to hurricane damage (Triple-I ↗).
• Triggers decide when a hurricane deductible applies, such as the National Weather Service naming a storm or issuing a watch or warning. Triggers vary by state and insurer. Triple-I reports that 19 states and the District of Columbia have hurricane deductibles (Triple-I ↗).

Florida example: Insurers must offer hurricane deductible options of $500, 2%, 5% and 10% (with some exceptions). The hurricane deductible applies once per calendar year to all hurricane losses, not per storm (627.701 ↗). Florida also allows a separate roof deductible of up to 2% of the dwelling limit, which policyholders can opt out of in writing (627.701 ↗).

If your damage is close to the deductible, a claim may not pay much, or anything.

Matching: what if new shingles don't match?

If only part of the roof is replaced, new shingles may not match the old ones. Some states address this:

• California: If replaced items don't match in quality, color or size, the insurer must replace all items in the damaged area so they have a reasonably uniform appearance (10 CCR 2695.9 ↗).
• Florida: If replaced items don't match in quality, color or size, the insurer must make reasonable repairs or replacement in adjoining areas (626.9744 ↗).

Other states have different rules or none. Also check your policy for endorsements that limit matching or exclude cosmetic damage.

When a public adjuster can help, and when not

Roof claims often turn on disputes about storm damage vs. wear, how many shingles are damaged, and depreciation. A licensed public adjuster can document the damage, prepare a detailed estimate and negotiate with the insurer. You can browse public adjusters near you.

A PA may not be worth it when the damage is near your deductible, the insurer already approved a full roof at a fair price, or the claim is small. PA fees are usually a share of your payout. Florida caps them at 20%, or 10% in the first year after a declared emergency (626.854 ↗). If the dispute is about what your policy wording means, or you're thinking about a lawsuit, talk to an attorney.

If your roof claim is large or the insurer is disputing the cause, Get matched with a licensed public adjuster.

Frequently asked questions

Will insurance replace my whole roof after hail?

It depends on how much of the roof is damaged, your policy and your state's rules. Some insurers pay for repairs to certain sections, while others approve a full replacement. Ask the adjuster to explain how they decided.

Why did my insurer say the damage is wear and tear?

Policies generally don't cover damage from age or poor maintenance. If you disagree, get a written opinion from a licensed roofer or engineer and send it to the insurer with photos.

How does a percentage deductible work?

It's a percentage of your home's insured value, usually 1% to 5% (Triple-I ↗). A 2% deductible on a $400,000 home is $8,000.

What is recoverable depreciation on a roof claim?

It's the part of a replacement cost payment that the insurer holds back until repairs are done. You usually collect it by sending proof that the work is complete, within any deadline in your policy.

Can a roofer handle my insurance claim for me?

The NAIC warns homeowners to read the fine print before signing anything that lets a contractor deal with the insurer, and notes you don't have to sign an assignment of benefits to get repairs (NAIC ↗). Rules on contractors acting for homeowners vary by state.

Is there a deadline to file a hail claim?

Yes, though it varies. For example, Florida requires notice within 1 year of the date of loss (627.70132 ↗), and TWIA wind and hail claims in Texas must be filed within one year (TDI ↗).