Homeowner Guide · Texas
How a Roof Insurance Claim Works in Texas
A storm damages your roof, and suddenly you're dealing with adjusters, scopes, deductibles and depreciation. This plain-language guide walks through the process step by step, explains the terms you'll hear, clarifies what a roofing contractor does and doesn't do, and lists the questions worth asking your insurer. It's general information from a Houston roofing contractor — not legal or insurance advice, and every policy is different.
The Basics
Does homeowners insurance cover roof damage?
Generally, a standard Texas homeowners policy covers sudden, accidental damage from named or covered perils — wind and hail are the big ones for roofs, along with falling trees and similar events. It generally does not cover damage that results from age, normal wear, deferred maintenance, or a roof that was already failing before the storm.
Within that broad rule, policies vary a lot. Things to look for in yours:
- Wind/hail deductible — often a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat amount.
- Replacement cost value (RCV) vs. actual cash value (ACV) — whether the policy pays to replace the roof new, or replacement cost minus depreciation for age.
- Roof payment schedules or age limits — some policies reduce roof coverage as the roof ages.
- Cosmetic damage exclusions — common for metal roofs, where dents that don't affect function may not be covered.
- Reporting deadlines — the time you have to report damage after a storm.
If any of these are unclear, your insurer or agent can explain how they apply to your policy. It's worth asking before you need to file.
Step by Step
The roof insurance claim process, start to finish
Timelines vary by insurer and by how busy adjusters are after a large storm, but the sequence is consistent.
- 1
Inspection & documentation
Have the roof inspected and any storm damage photographed with dates. Ground-level photos of dented gutters, granules and debris help too. ProBuild's inspection is free.
- 2
Review your policy
Confirm your wind/hail deductible, whether you have RCV or ACV coverage, and any roof-specific terms or reporting deadlines.
- 3
Contact your insurer
File the claim through your agent, app or claims line. Record the claim number, the adjuster's name and how to reach them.
- 4
Adjuster inspection
The insurer's adjuster inspects the roof, usually using test squares to count hail hits per slope. ProBuild can coordinate with you and your insurance adjuster and provide our documented findings.
- 5
The scope & estimate
The insurer issues a scope of covered work and its estimate. Compare it line by line with the contractor's estimate — differences are common and can be discussed.
- 6
Supplements
If covered items were missed or conditions are found during the work (rotted decking, code-required upgrades), the contractor documents them and a supplement is submitted for the insurer's review.
- 7
Work & payment
You pay your deductible; the insurer pays the ACV first on an RCV policy. The roof is repaired or replaced.
- 8
Final documentation
The contractor provides a final invoice and completion documentation; the insurer releases any recoverable depreciation.
Glossary
Insurance terms you'll hear during a roof claim
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Deductible | The portion of a covered loss you pay. Wind/hail deductibles in Texas are often a percentage of the dwelling coverage limit. |
| Actual cash value (ACV) | Replacement cost minus depreciation for the roof's age and condition. |
| Replacement cost value (RCV) | The full cost to replace the roof with materials of like kind and quality, before depreciation. |
| Recoverable depreciation | On an RCV policy, the depreciation withheld from the first payment and released after the work is completed and documented. |
| Non-recoverable depreciation | Depreciation that is not paid back — the case on ACV policies or certain roof schedules. |
| Adjuster | The insurer's representative who inspects the damage and determines what the policy covers. |
| Public adjuster | A state-licensed professional you can hire to represent you in a claim. A roofing contractor is not one. |
| Scope of loss | The insurer's itemized list of covered damage and the work to fix it. |
| Supplement | A request to add items to the scope — missed damage, hidden conditions found during work, or code-required upgrades. |
| Ordinance or law coverage | Optional coverage for the extra cost of bringing the repair up to current building code. |
| Appraisal | A policy provision for resolving disagreements about the amount of a loss using independent appraisers and an umpire. |
Roles
What a roofing contractor does — and doesn't do — in a claim
Clear roles protect you. ProBuild is a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster or an insurance company.
What ProBuild does
- Inspects the roof and documents damage with dated photos
- Provides a detailed, itemized repair or replacement estimate
- Coordinates with you and your insurance adjuster and provides our inspection findings and documentation
- Explains differences between the insurer's scope and our estimate
- Documents hidden conditions found during the work for a supplement
- Performs the work and provides completion documentation
What ProBuild does not do
- Negotiate or settle your claim on your behalf
- Promise that damage will be covered or a claim approved
- Waive, absorb, rebate or "help with" your deductible
- Inflate estimates or invent damage
- Give legal or insurance advice about your specific policy
Texas Law
Your deductible is yours to pay — by law
Texas law prohibits contractors from offering to waive, absorb, rebate, credit or otherwise pay a homeowner's insurance deductible, and it is a criminal offense for a contractor to do so. Insurers may also require proof that the deductible was paid before releasing recoverable depreciation. Practically, that means:
- Any contractor who offers a "free roof," to "eat" or "cover" your deductible, or to inflate the estimate so the deductible disappears is proposing something illegal — walk away.
- Budget for the deductible as a real cost. If it's a percentage deductible, it can be substantial.
- If paying the deductible at once is difficult, financing is a legitimate way to spread it out.
This section summarizes Texas Insurance Code Chapter 707 in general terms. It is not legal advice; consult the statute or an attorney for how it applies to your situation.
Be Prepared
Questions to ask your insurer
- What is my wind/hail deductible, and how is it calculated?
- Is my roof covered at replacement cost or actual cash value?
- Is there a roof age schedule, cosmetic exclusion or matching limitation on my policy?
- How long do I have to report storm damage?
- Do I have ordinance or law coverage for code-required upgrades?
- How and when is recoverable depreciation released?
- Will filing this claim affect my premium or renewal?
- Can my contractor attend the adjuster's inspection?
- What is the process if I disagree with the scope?
Red flags after a storm
- Offers to waive or "cover" your deductible
- Pressure to sign a contract before the adjuster's inspection or on the spot at your door
- Contracts that assign your claim or insurance benefits to the contractor — read anything you sign
- Out-of-area "storm chaser" crews with no local address, references or proof of insurance
- Large deposits required up front
- Anyone who claims they can guarantee claim approval
If Things Don't Go Smoothly
If your claim is denied or the payment seems low
It happens, and it isn't necessarily the end of the process. Reasonable next steps, roughly in order:
- Get it in writing. Ask for the denial or the scope and the reasons behind it.
- Compare documentation. If your contractor's photos show damage the adjuster's scope doesn't include, ask for a re-inspection and provide the photos.
- Ask about appraisal. Most policies include an appraisal provision for disputes about the amount of a loss.
- Use the Texas Department of Insurance. TDI provides consumer help and handles complaints about insurers.
- Consider licensed help. A licensed public adjuster or an attorney can represent you in a dispute. A roofing contractor cannot.
Whatever the outcome, keep every document — photos, the scope, letters, invoices — in one place.
Claim FAQ
Common questions about roof insurance claims in Texas
Does homeowners insurance cover roof damage in Texas?
Most Texas homeowners policies cover sudden, accidental damage from perils such as wind and hail, subject to the deductible and the policy's terms. Damage from age, wear, neglect or lack of maintenance is generally not covered. Every policy is different, so review yours or ask your insurer what applies to your roof.
What is a wind/hail deductible?
Many Texas policies have a separate deductible for wind and hail damage, often expressed as a percentage of the dwelling coverage amount rather than a flat dollar figure. That deductible is subtracted from the claim payment, and under Texas law it is the homeowner's responsibility to pay.
Can a roofing contractor waive or pay my deductible?
No. Texas law prohibits contractors from offering to waive, absorb, rebate or otherwise pay a homeowner's insurance deductible, and a homeowner who accepts such an offer may also be affected. Treat any offer to waive a deductible as a serious red flag.
What is recoverable depreciation?
On a replacement cost value policy, the insurer typically pays the actual cash value first — the replacement cost minus depreciation for the roof's age and condition. Once the work is completed and documented, the withheld depreciation is released as a second payment. On an actual cash value policy, depreciation is not recoverable.
Does ProBuild negotiate my insurance claim for me?
No. ProBuild is a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster. We inspect and document the damage, provide a detailed estimate, and can coordinate with you and your insurance adjuster, providing our inspection findings and documentation. Decisions about the claim are between you and your insurer. If you need someone to represent you in a claim dispute, that role belongs to a licensed public adjuster or an attorney.
What if my claim is denied or the payment seems too low?
Ask your insurer for the denial or scope in writing, request a re-inspection if you have documentation that supports damage the adjuster did not include, and review your policy's appraisal provision. The Texas Department of Insurance operates a consumer help line, and licensed public adjusters or attorneys can represent policyholders in disputes.
Disclaimer. This page provides general information about the roof insurance claim process in Texas from the perspective of a roofing contractor. It is not legal, insurance or financial advice, does not describe any specific policy, and does not create any obligation on the part of ProBuild Roofing & Construction regarding the outcome of a claim. Coverage decisions are made by your insurer under the terms of your policy. For advice about your situation, consult your insurer, a licensed public adjuster or an attorney.
Related storm & roofing guides
Start with documentation, not a decision
A free ProBuild inspection tells you whether there's storm damage worth a claim — with dated photos either way.