Filing a roof claim isn't complicated — if you know the steps
Most homeowners have never filed a roof insurance claim before, and the process can feel intimidating. It doesn’t need to be. The carrier expects a contractor to be involved, the contractor handles most of the paperwork, and your job is mostly to make decisions and sign things. Here’s the actual sequence.
The 7-step claim process
Free damage inspection
We document hail, wind, or impact damage with photos and a written report. If there’s no claim-worthy damage, we’ll tell you that too.
You file the claim
You call your insurance carrier, give them the storm date, and request an adjuster visit. Takes about 10 minutes.
Adjuster meeting
We meet your adjuster on-site to make sure damage isn’t missed. Most claims get more accurate scopes when a contractor is present.
Carrier issues scope
Within 5-10 business days, your carrier sends a scope of loss with the work approved and the dollar amount.
You sign with us
Once the scope is approved, we sign a contract to do the work. Cost = your deductible. The carrier covers the rest.
We complete the work
Most jobs done in 1-2 days. We document with photos for your file. If hidden damage is found mid-project, we file supplements.
Final invoice and depreciation release
We invoice the carrier directly. Once carrier releases the recoverable depreciation, the project is closed and your file is complete.
What “supplemental claims” means and why they matter
An adjuster’s initial scope is based on what they could see during their visit. But once we tear off the roof, hidden damage often appears: rotted decking, ice damage to the fascia, missing flashing in places that weren’t visible. When that happens, we file a supplemental claim with photos and documentation. Most carriers approve these in 5-7 business days. The supplement adds the additional scope to your claim and your deductible doesn’t change.
This is one of the highest-impact things a contractor can do for you. We have a dedicated claim coordinator who handles supplements and follows up with carriers when they take too long to respond. Without that, supplements often get lost or denied for procedural reasons that have nothing to do with the actual damage.
The deductible question
It’s illegal in Illinois (and most states) for a roofing contractor to waive, rebate, or otherwise “eat” your deductible. Anyone who tells you they can do this is committing insurance fraud, and you would be participating in it. We don’t do that, and we won’t. Your deductible is your responsibility under your policy. We will, however, give you complete pricing transparency so you understand exactly where your dollars and the insurance dollars are going.
Avoid contractors who promise to “cover your deductible”
It's insurance fraud. It's been prosecuted in Illinois. And it usually means the contractor is going to inflate the scope to recoup their giveaway, which can cause your carrier to deny the claim entirely.
What if my claim is denied?
About 8-12% of legitimate roof damage claims are initially denied. Most denials can be successfully appealed with better documentation. We’ve helped clients overturn denials by submitting independent inspection reports, manufacturer-spec photos, and weather data tying damage to a specific event. If your claim was denied, call us for a second opinion before giving up.