How to file a roof insurance claim — the homeowner's guide
A practical step-by-step for NJ, PA, and CT homeowners filing wind, hail, or storm-damage claims. No jargon, no sales pitch.
Insurance claims are where a lot of homeowners leave money on the table. Adjusters aren't villains, but they work for the carrier — their job is to settle claims at the lowest defensible number. Your job is to document carefully and insist on a scope that actually restores your home.
Here's how the process works, what to watch for, and where a contractor legitimately helps (and where we can't — a contractor is not a public adjuster).
Eight steps, start to finish
- 1
Safety first, then photos
Get yourself and your family out of harm's way. Don't climb the roof. Once it's safe, photograph every angle of the house — from the ground, from multiple directions, and inside wherever you see damage. Timestamps matter.
- 2
Stop the secondary damage
If water is actively coming in, catch it, move valuables, and call for emergency tarping. Most policies cover emergency mitigation — failing to mitigate can reduce your claim. Call us for 24hr tarping.
- 3
Open the claim
Call your insurance carrier and open the claim. Note the claim number and the adjuster's name and number. Ask when they expect to inspect.
- 4
Get a contractor inspection
Independent of the insurance adjuster, have a licensed contractor inspect and document the damage. Their findings give you a baseline — especially useful if the adjuster misses or minimizes damage. Our inspections are free when tied to a claim.
- 5
Meet the adjuster on-site
When the adjuster inspects, have your contractor present if possible. Walk the property together, show all documented damage, and don't let items be overlooked. If damage is systemic (e.g., half the shingles have hail bruising), the repair scope should reflect it.
- 6
Review the scope and estimate
The carrier sends a Statement of Loss with covered items and amounts. Compare it against your contractor's estimate. If there's a gap, that's where supplements happen — your contractor submits additional line items to the adjuster with photos and documentation.
- 7
Accept payment and schedule work
Once scope is agreed, the carrier issues ACV (actual cash value) up front. RCV (replacement cost value) — the difference — is paid after completion and verification. Plan cash flow for materials and deposit.
- 8
Complete work and submit final docs
Contractor completes the job, submits final invoice and photos to the carrier. RCV portion is released. Keep all paperwork — for the transferable warranty, for your records, and for the eventual home sale.
What to have ready
Photos & video
- Every elevation of the house, ground level
- Close-ups of damage (shingles, flashings, gutters)
- Interior ceilings or walls where leaks appeared
- Fallen debris still on the property
- Pre-storm photos if you have them (MLS listing, previous insurance photos)
- A short video walkaround often captures what photos miss
Records
- Policy declarations page (shows coverage and deductible)
- Previous roof install records / warranty paperwork
- Claim number, adjuster name + phone, date of loss
- Weather reports for the date of loss (NOAA, local news)
- Any previous claims on the property
- Contractor estimates and inspection reports
What to say — and what to avoid
Do say
- “Here's what my contractor found — can we walk it together?”
- “I'd like the scope to restore the roof to pre-loss condition.”
- “Can you supplement for items we missed on the initial inspection?”
- “Please send me the written Statement of Loss for review.”
Avoid saying
- “The roof was old anyway.” (wear is excluded from coverage)
- “I'll just take the payment and not do the repairs.”
- Estimating damage extent yourself — leave that to the contractor and adjuster
- Agreeing to numbers verbally before seeing written scope
Common pitfalls homeowners hit
“Storm chaser” door-knockers
Crews that show up uninvited after a big storm, offer to file your claim for you, and ask for your deductible. Red flags: no local address, pressure tactics, asking you to sign over the claim. Stick with established local contractors.
Underestimating hail damage
Hail damage isn't always obvious — shingles can be bruised (loss of granules, soft spots) without visible tears. An experienced contractor can identify bruising with chalk tests and photos. Don't assume no visible tear means no claim.
Missing the claim deadline
Most policies require claims within 12 months of the date of loss. Some require 60 days. Check your policy — file early even if you're waiting on contractor inspection.
Accepting ACV without pursuing RCV
If your policy includes Replacement Cost Value (most do), you're entitled to the RCV after work is completed. Adjusters sometimes pay only the ACV and don't explain the RCV balance. Read your Statement of Loss carefully.
Signing assignment of benefits (AOB)
Some contractors ask homeowners to sign an AOB that assigns the claim payment directly to them. This is legal but gives up a lot of leverage. We don't require it — work is written to you, you control the payments.
How a contractor can (and can't) help
What we do
- Emergency tarping and mitigation (24hr)
- Free damage inspection with written report and photos
- On-site meeting with your insurance adjuster
- Scope-aligned written estimate matching insurance language
- Supplement requests when the carrier misses items
- Full repair or replacement once the claim is approved
- Documentation and photo package for final RCV release
What we can't do
- File your claim on your behalf — that's your call to the carrier
- Negotiate the claim itself — that's a public adjuster's role
- Waive your deductible (illegal in most states, NJ included)
- Guarantee a specific claim amount — carrier decides what's covered
- Work on insurance money without a signed contract to you
Common questions
- Will filing a claim raise my rates?
- Possibly — but a single weather-related claim usually has less impact than a liability claim. Rate increases depend on your carrier, state, and claim history. If damage is significant, the cost of repair typically outweighs any rate bump.
- What's my deductible, and who pays it?
- Your deductible is on your policy declarations page — typically $1,000 – $5,000 or a percentage of your dwelling coverage. You pay it out of pocket. Any contractor who offers to waive it is likely committing insurance fraud.
- What's the difference between ACV and RCV?
- ACV (actual cash value) is the replacement cost minus depreciation. RCV (replacement cost value) is the full cost to replace with like-kind materials. Most policies pay ACV up front and release the depreciation (RCV - ACV) after repairs are completed and invoiced.
- Can I use a different contractor than the one the insurance recommends?
- Yes. Your policy usually lets you choose your contractor. Insurance-preferred contractors aren't required — and their incentive is often to minimize scope to keep the carrier happy.
- What if the adjuster denies my claim?
- Request a written denial with reasons. If you believe the denial is wrong, you can request a second inspection, bring in a public adjuster, or escalate to your state's insurance commissioner. A strong contractor report helps.
Storm damage & emergency
Need immediate help with an active leak or storm damage? Our emergency page is built for it.
Dealing with a storm damage claim?
Call (201) 663-2997 — free damage inspection, adjuster meeting, and scope-aligned estimate.