Hail hit. Here's exactly how a claim goes.
Most denied claims fail on documentation, not damage. We build the evidence file, meet your adjuster on the roof, and rebuild to current code. You stay the decision-maker the whole way.
Six stages, no surprises
Make it safe
Call us and we respond within 24 hours, often the same day, to get an active leak covered and stop the damage spreading.
Free assessment
We chalk test squares, count impacts per square, and photograph soft metals, screens and the deck. Dated and geotagged.
You file
You call your carrier — it's your policy and your claim. We hand you the photo file and the storm date to reference.
Adjuster meeting
We're on the roof with them at no cost, walking the same squares so nothing gets missed or written off.
Scope review
We read the carrier's scope line by line and supplement for anything code requires that they left out.
Replacement
Materials ordered, permits pulled, roof installed. You pay your deductible and any upgrades you chose. Nothing else.
What hail damage looks like
You can spot a lot of this from the ground with binoculars. If you see two or three of these, it's worth a look.
- Dark bruises on shingles that feel soft, like a fresh apple
- Granules collecting in the gutters or at the downspout outlet
- Dents in gutters, vents, flashing, AC fins or the mailbox
- Shingle tabs lifted, creased or missing after high wind
- Torn screens or splatter marks on the deck and fence
Deadlines are real
Most policies give you a limited window from the date of loss to file. Waiting a season can turn covered storm damage into uncovered wear.
Deductibles aren't negotiable
If a contractor offers to eat your deductible or inflate the scope to cover it, that's insurance fraud and it's your name on the claim. We won't propose it, and you shouldn't accept it from anyone.
Start a claim inspectionClaim questions
Will filing a claim raise my rates?
Weather claims are generally treated differently from at-fault claims, but every carrier and state is different. Ask your agent directly before you file — and ask about your policy's roof settlement type while you're on the phone.
What's the difference between ACV and replacement cost?
Replacement cost pays what it takes to rebuild the roof today. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation for the roof's age, so you cover the gap. Your declarations page says which one you have.
My claim was denied. Is that the end?
No. Denials often come down to thin documentation or an adjuster who inspected from the ground. We re-document, request a re-inspection, and meet the second adjuster on the roof. It works more often than people expect.
Do I have to use the contractor my insurer recommends?
No. You choose who works on your house. Preferred-vendor lists exist for the carrier's convenience, not your protection.