Quick Answer
How do I file a roof insurance claim in Texas?
To file a roof insurance claim in Texas: 1) Document damage with date-stamped photos before touching anything. 2) Install emergency tarping to prevent further damage. 3) Call your insurer to open the claim. 4) Schedule a contractor inspection before the adjuster visits. 5) Have your contractor present when the adjuster inspects. 6) Review the insurer's scope of work carefully. 7) Sign your repair contract. 8) Get the roof repaired and release final payment.
The 8-Step Texas Roof Insurance Claim Process
Document All Damage Immediately
Before touching anything, photograph every visible area of damage from both the ground and — if it's safe — the roof surface. Photograph wide shots establishing context, close-ups of individual damage (hail dents, cracked shingles, lifted flashing), and the surrounding area (debris in yard, damaged gutters, window screens). Enable date and location stamps on your phone camera. Video walkarounds are also valuable. The more documentation you have, the harder it is for an adjuster to minimize the claim.
Prevent Further Damage (Emergency Tarp)
Your policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage after a covered loss. If your roof has open areas, exposed decking, or missing shingles after a storm, arrange emergency tarping immediately. Call us at (409) 977-6461 for same-day tarping. Save all receipts — emergency mitigation costs are reimbursable as part of your claim in most cases.
Call Your Insurer to Open the Claim
Call your insurance company's claims line or open a claim through their app or website. Note the claim number, the name of the representative, and the date. Provide the date of loss (the storm event) and a brief description of the damage. You don't need a full damage assessment at this point — just enough to open the claim. Texas law gives your insurer 15 days to acknowledge receipt and begin investigating.
Schedule a Professional Contractor Inspection
Call us for a free inspection before the insurance adjuster visits. Having a contractor's independent damage assessment in hand before the adjuster's visit gives you a reference point for everything the adjuster finds — or misses. Our HAAG-certified inspectors document damage using the same protocols and terminology that insurance adjusters use, which makes the comparison straightforward.
Meet the Insurance Adjuster With Your Contractor Present
When the adjuster schedules their inspection, ask if your roofing contractor can be present. Most adjusters accommodate this. Having us there allows us to point out every area of damage in real time — hail hits on metal surfaces, granule loss patterns, flashing damage, and structural issues that a non-roofing specialist might not identify. Damage that's not documented during the adjuster's visit often gets excluded from the settlement.
Review the Insurer's Scope of Work
After the adjuster's visit, you'll receive a written scope of work (often via Xactimate software) and a loss payment estimate. Review this carefully against our contractor estimate. Common issues include: missing line items (underlayment not included, ridge vent omitted, only partial shingle replacement when full replacement is warranted), depreciation amounts higher than expected under an ACV policy, and code upgrade items not included. We help you identify any discrepancies.
Sign the Repair Contract
Once you're satisfied with the scope and settlement amount, sign a repair contract with us. Your insurer will issue the initial payment (often less depreciation held back on ACV policies). We'll communicate directly with your insurer on any supplemental items and handle the paperwork to release holdback payments after work is completed.
Get Your Roof Repaired or Replaced
We complete the work per the approved scope, communicate with your insurer on any necessary supplements (additional damage found during tear-off is common and covered under most policies), and ensure all code-required upgrades are properly included. When work is complete and inspected, final insurance payment is released.
What to Photograph: A Documentation Checklist
Strong photo documentation is the foundation of a successful insurance claim. Here's what to capture:
Exterior Roof Photos
- •Wide shot of entire roof from street
- •Close-ups of every missing or damaged shingle
- •Hail impact marks on ridge cap and field shingles
- •Granule accumulation in gutters
- •Damaged or dented metal components (vents, flashing, gutters)
- •Fence or HVAC equipment with visible hail dents (corroborates event)
Interior and Structure Photos
- •Attic — any wet insulation, staining, or daylight visible
- •Ceiling stains or water damage in living space
- •All damage to surrounding property (siding, screens, downspouts)
- •Property address visible in at least one wide establishing shot
- •Date stamp visible on all photos (enable in phone settings)
- •Video walkthrough narrating what you're seeing
Common Claim Mistakes to Avoid
- !Waiting too long to file: Texas allows two years to file, but waiting months lets the insurer argue additional damage occurred post-storm. File promptly.
- !Not getting a contractor inspection first: Without knowing what damage exists before the adjuster visits, you have no way to verify the adjuster's scope is complete.
- !Signing an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) with a contractor: AOBs transfer your claim rights to the contractor. These are legal in Texas but risky — it removes you from the equation and has been associated with contractor fraud. Work with contractors you trust without signing away your rights.
- !Accepting the first settlement without review: Initial estimates are often conservative. Review carefully, compare to a contractor estimate, and request supplemental payment for anything missing.
- !Making permanent repairs before the adjuster visits: Emergency tarping is required and fine, but permanent repairs completed before the adjuster documents the damage can complicate your claim.
- !Misunderstanding your deductible type: Many Killeen homeowners assume they have a flat $1,500 deductible when they actually have a 2% wind/hail deductible — over $5,000 on a typical home. Know your deductible before filing.
What If the Adjuster Undervalues Your Damage?
Underpayment is common — particularly after large storm events when adjusters are handling hundreds of claims simultaneously and may not have the roofing expertise to identify all types of damage. If you believe your settlement is too low, here's what to do:
Request a re-inspection
Call your insurer and ask for a second look, explicitly requesting that you bring your contractor to point out all damage.
Submit a contractor's supplemental estimate
Provide your insurer with our detailed written estimate documenting line items that were missing or undervalued in their scope.
Invoke the appraisal clause
Most Texas policies include an appraisal process for disputed claims — both parties hire appraisers, who select an umpire. The umpire's decision is binding. This is faster and cheaper than litigation.
Hire a public adjuster
A licensed public adjuster negotiates on your behalf for a percentage of the settlement. This can be cost-effective for large, complex claims.
Consult a Texas insurance attorney
For significant undervalued claims, a bad faith insurance attorney can evaluate whether the insurer's handling was improper.
We Help You Through Every Step — At No Extra Cost
We don't charge extra for insurance claim assistance — it's built into our service. From the free damage inspection through the adjuster meeting to reviewing the final scope of work, we're your advocate throughout the process. We've helped hundreds of Killeen homeowners navigate the claims process and ensure they received fair settlements.
If you've had storm damage and aren't sure where to start, call us at (409) 977-6461 for a free inspection. We'll document everything, give you an independent damage assessment, and help you understand what your insurance should cover. You can also review our guide on what Texas homeowners insurance covers to understand your policy before filing.