Roof Insurance Claim Questions in Texas (Houston)
After a hailstorm or a hurricane, Houston homeowners tend to ask the same handful of questions about roof claims. How fast do I need to file? What will the adjuster look at? Why did I only get part of the money? Can my roofer handle the claim for me? This guide answers those questions using the Texas Department of Insurance's published consumer guidance, with links so you can read the source yourself.
This is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy is the final word on what is covered, so read it and call your agent or company with specific questions. For a hands-on damage checklist, see our roof hail damage checklist for Houston homeowners.
When should I file a roof claim?
As soon as you can. TDI's hail and windstorm tips say to file a claim as soon as possible if hail or strong winds damaged your home. Before or while you file, take photos and video of the damage, make a list of what is damaged inside and outside, and do not throw damaged items away until your company says you can.
What should I do to protect the house before the adjuster comes?
TDI's help after a storm page says to make temporary repairs to prevent more damage, such as covering holes and broken windows, removing standing water, and keeping receipts. It also says not to make permanent repairs before the insurance adjuster sees the damage. A tarp over a damaged section is a temporary repair. A full reroof before the adjuster visits is not.
How long does the insurance company have to respond?
TDI's steps to getting your claim paid lays out the deadlines that apply when you file with your own company. The company has 15 business days to acknowledge your claim and start its review. After it receives what it needs from you, it has 15 business days to say whether it will pay, and it can extend that by 45 days if it explains why. TDI notes it can extend these deadlines by 15 more days after a weather-related catastrophe. Once the company agrees to pay, it must pay within five business days.
What does the adjuster do?
The adjuster reviews whether your policy covers the type of damage and estimates repair costs, either in person or from photos. TDI recommends getting the adjuster's name and contact information, being there for the visit so you can point out all the damage, answering questions promptly and keeping notes of every call. Our guide to roof repair vs replacement after a Houston storm covers what tends to separate a repair estimate from a replacement estimate.
Why did I get two checks instead of one?
If you have replacement cost coverage, TDI's roof and insurance page explains that the company pays with two checks. The first is a partial payment, and the rest comes after you have started repairs. TDI's claim steps page adds that the first payment is the estimated repair cost minus depreciation, and the second comes after repairs are done. If your policy pays actual cash value instead, the payment reflects the roof's age and condition. Our explainer on replacement cost vs actual cash value roof coverage goes deeper.
Why is the check made out to my mortgage company too?
If you have a loan on the house, the payment usually goes to your mortgage company as well. According to TDI's claim steps, the mortgage company must contact you within 10 days of getting the payment, and you then work with it to release funds for repairs. Ask your lender early how it handles inspections and draws so the roofing schedule is not held up.
Will insurance replace my roof just because it is old?
No. TDI states plainly on its roof and insurance page that your insurance company will not pay for a new roof just because it is old or worn out. Coverage depends on sudden damage, like a storm or a fallen tree, under the terms of the policy. The same page notes that some companies switch older roofs to actual cash value coverage at renewal, so check your renewal paperwork.
How do deductibles work on a roof claim?
Your deductible is subtracted from the payment, and you owe it to your contractor. TDI's deductibles page explains that a deductible can be a set dollar amount or a share of the home's insured value, and that for home policies it applies to each claim. Ask your agent whether your wind and hail deductible is different from your other deductibles.
Can a contractor waive or cover my deductible?
No. TDI's roofing and insurance law page says it is illegal in Texas for a contractor to offer to waive, rebate or absorb a policyholder's deductible. State law also requires contracts for $1,000 or more that involve an insurance settlement to include a notice that the policyholder must pay the deductible, and insurers may ask for proof that you paid it.
Can my roofer negotiate the claim for me?
No. The same TDI law page explains that Texas does not allow a roofer or contractor to act as a public insurance adjuster on a claim for a property where they are also doing the work, or to advertise that they will. A good contractor can still give you a detailed written estimate, document damage with photos and explain the scope, which you can send to your insurer yourself.
What if I disagree with the adjuster's estimate?
TDI's guide for when insurance isn't paying enough says to tell the company why you disagree and send supporting documents, such as a contractor's repair estimate. If that does not resolve it, options include the appraisal process if your policy has one, a complaint to TDI, hiring a public adjuster, mediation or a lawsuit. Check your policy for any deadline to demand appraisal.
Does my roof need a windstorm inspection?
Only in certain areas. TDI's windstorm inspection page explains that properties in 14 coastal counties and parts of Harris County east of Highway 146 are in a designated catastrophe area, and that most roof replacements there need an inspection and certificate of compliance to qualify for a TWIA policy. Many Houston addresses are outside that area, but confirm for your address before work starts. Inside city limits, a reroof generally also needs a residential roofing permit, as our roof permit guide explains.
How do I avoid storm-chaser problems?
TDI recommends getting more than one bid, checking references, not paying in full up front, not making the final payment until the work is done, and never signing a contract with blank spaces. Be wary of anyone who knocks on the door offering to handle your claim or cover your deductible.
Quick checklist
- Photos and video before any cleanup.
- Temporary repairs only, with receipts.
- Claim filed promptly, with a claim number noted.
- Adjuster's name, phone and email recorded.
- At least two written contractor estimates.
- Deductible budgeted and paid, with proof kept.
Need a roofing project planned the right way? BPC Development LLC provides free on-site estimates in Houston, TX. Call (281) 301-4737.