Filing a hail or wind claim

Policies have notice deadlines. The III says to call your agent to learn the filing deadline, and Angi's guidance is to file within six months of the storm.

What is probably happening

• You have a dated storm, photos, and probably a roofer's report saying there is hail or wind damage.
• The insurer will send an adjuster. NRCA says the insurer is deciding two things: is there enough damage to declare a total loss, and how big is the roof.
• If your roof is older, expect the settlement to be actual cash value, with depreciation taken out, unless your policy says replacement cost (III).

Do this in the next five minutes

1. Read the declarations page. Find the wind and hail deductible, which is often separate and higher (Nebraska Department of Insurance), and whether the roof is on replacement cost or actual cash value.
2. If the repair estimate is below the deductible, consider not filing.
3. Call the insurer's claims line, not the contractor. Get a claim number and the adjuster's name.
4. Be at the adjuster's inspection yourself (TDI). Hand over your photos and the roofer's report. Do not hand over your relationship with the insurer.
5. Keep every receipt for tarps and temporary repairs. Most policies reimburse them (TDI and III).
6. If the roofer's estimate is higher than the adjuster's, tell the adjuster. Nebraska's insurance department says there may be differences in materials or damage they can explain or resolve.

Do not

• Do not sign an assignment of benefits or a contingency agreement. In Florida, an AOB on a policy issued on or after 1 January 2023 is not allowed at all (F.S. 627.7152).
• Do not let the contractor 'handle the claim'. In Florida a roofer may not interpret your policy or adjust the claim unless licensed as a public adjuster (F.S. 489.147).
• Do not accept a deductible waiver. Texas: illegal under state law (TDI). Colorado: the contract must say the roofer cannot pay, waive or rebate it (C.R.S. 6-22-103).

Ask this contractor, on the phone, before anyone comes out

Tap each one as you ask it.

• Is your estimate written to the adjuster's scope, and where does it differ?
• Will you be handling, negotiating or advising on my insurance claim in any way?
• Are you offering to cover any part of my deductible?
• What happens to the contract if my claim is denied or paid at less than your price?

End the call if

• Any paper that assigns your claim or your insurance payment to the contractor.
• 'We will meet the adjuster for you, you do not need to be there.'
• A contract with no cancellation clause after a storm. Colorado requires a 72-hour rescission right, and Florida requires a rescission right on pre-2023 AOBs of 14 days.