A roof claim is far less intimidating when you know the sequence. Almost every approved claim follows the same five steps, and doing them in the right order — with the right paperwork at each stage — is what separates a smooth payout from a drawn-out fight. Here is the whole process, start to finish.
1. Document the damage
Before you call anyone, build your evidence file. Photograph wide shots and close-ups, capture collateral damage (dented gutters, downspouts, screens), and write down the storm date. Do not climb a compromised roof yourself — shoot from a ladder or hire an inspector. Make reasonable temporary repairs like tarping to prevent further damage, and keep every receipt; those emergency costs are usually reimbursable.
The strongest claims tie damage to a specific date and a specific storm. "My roof is leaking" invites a wear-and-tear denial; "the June 12 hailstorm bruised my shingles" does not.
2. Call your insurer
File promptly — many policies require notice within a set window after a loss. Report the date of damage, the peril (wind, hail, fallen tree), and the temporary steps you took. Get a claim number and ask two questions up front: what is my deductible, and is my roof covered at ACV or RCV? Those two answers largely determine your final check.
3. The adjuster visit
The insurer sends an adjuster to inspect and decide whether the damage is a covered sudden event or excluded wear. Be present, walk them through your photos, and point out collateral dents. If you disagree with their findings, you can request a re-inspection or hire a licensed public adjuster.
- Have your documentation printed or on your phone, organized by slope.
- Note the adjuster's measurements and the scope they write.
- Ask whether the roof was settled at ACV or RCV, and why.
4. Get a roofer estimate
Have a reputable local roofer inspect independently and write a detailed estimate. A typical complete re-roof lands in the $9,000–$18,000 range around an $11,000 national average, so a serious gap between the adjuster's scope and the roofer's estimate is worth contesting with documentation. Avoid contractors who chase storms and pressure you to sign before the claim is settled.
5. ACV check, then recoverable depreciation
On an RCV policy the insurer first pays the ACV amount — replacement cost minus depreciation minus your deductible. After the work is done and you submit the final invoice, it releases the withheld recoverable depreciation, bringing you up to full RCV. Skip the repair and you forfeit that second check. To see how age, value, and deductible shape the two payments, run the roof insurance claim calculator. For the deeper mechanics, read ACV vs RCV roof insurance, and if you are unsure your damage even qualifies, start with why claims get denied.
Claim procedures vary by carrier and state; our payout modeling assumptions are in the methodology.