Roof insurance claims
How a roof insurance claim actually works.
A plain-English walk-through for homeowners: what happens in what order, who decides what, and where your roofer fits. Remi is a roofing company, so this guide is clear about what a roofer can and can't do in a claim.
The short answer
- report the loss, choose a roofer and authorize the workThe policyholder starts the claim and makes the decisions that belong to the policyholder. From Remi's guide to who is involved in a roof claim.
- You
- decides coverage and payment under the policyThe insurance company and its adjuster evaluate the loss under the policy and make the coverage and payment decision.
- Insurer
- documents the roof, writes the scope and does the workA roofer prepares the construction scope and quote and completes the work the homeowner authorizes. It does not decide coverage.
- Roofer
- represents you, if you hire oneA public adjuster is hired and paid by the policyholder to prepare and present the claim. Licensing rules vary by state.
- Public adjuster
Last reviewed .
Step by step
Seven steps, start to finish.
Policies and states differ, so treat this as the usual order rather than a rulebook. Your policy and your insurer set the deadlines.
- 01
Stay safe and document
Who:YouPhotograph the roof from the ground, the yard and any water inside before cleanup or temporary repairs, and note when the storm happened. Don't climb onto the roof. If the home needs temporary protection, call a qualified roofer or mitigation company.
- 02
Report the claim
Who:YouContact your insurer to report the damage and request an adjuster inspection. Ask which deadline applies, what your deductible is and how to send photos or estimates. Keep every document in one folder.
- 03
The adjuster inspects
Who:InsurerThe insurer's adjuster, either a staff adjuster or an independent adjuster hired by the insurer, inspects the loss. A roofer may attend when the insurer permits it and can share photos, measurements and technical information.
- 04
The insurer decides
Who:InsurerThe insurer reviews the damage under your policy and, if the loss is covered, sends an estimate or scope. The payment can reflect your deductible, depreciation, coverage limits and the type of settlement in your policy.
- 05
Get your roofer’s written scope
Who:You and your rooferYour roofer writes the construction scope and price for the work it recommends. It may not match the insurer's estimate, which answers a different question, and a difference doesn't automatically mean anyone made a mistake. Remi can give you a written, itemized quote at any point in the claim.
- 06
Work through differences
Who:You and the insurerIf your roofer finds damage the insurer's scope doesn't include, the roofer can document it for the insurer to consider; the insurer keeps the coverage decision. If you disagree about the amount of a covered loss, your policy may have an appraisal clause. If you want someone to represent you, that's a licensed public adjuster or an attorney.
- 07
Build, close out, get paid
Who:Roofer, then insurerOnce you sign a contract and authorize the work, the roofer coordinates permits and installs the roof; a typical Remi replacement takes 1 to 3 workdays once the crew starts. Your insurer may need the final invoice, completion photos or inspection results before it considers recoverable depreciation or any remaining payment.
Who does what
Five parties, five lanes.
Knowing each lane tells you who to call. The insurer's estimate and your roofer's proposal answer different questions, which is why they can differ.
| Party | Works for | Handles | Does not decide |
|---|---|---|---|
| You, the policyholder | Works forYourself | HandlesReporting the loss, sharing records, choosing a contractor, authorizing the work and tracking the claim | Does not decideThe insurance company's coverage decision |
| Insurance adjuster | Works forThe insurance company | HandlesInspecting the loss, reviewing documentation, applying the policy on the insurer's behalf, and preparing or explaining the insurer's estimate | Does not decideYour choice of contractor or the roofer's construction methods |
| Your roofer, Remi or another | Works forYou, under a roofing contract | HandlesAssessing roof conditions, preparing the construction scope and quote, explaining the roofing work, completing it and providing closeout documents | Does not decideInsurance coverage, claim payment, or interpreting your policy |
| Public adjuster | Works forYou, if you hire one | HandlesDocumenting and presenting the claim, reviewing the policy and representing you in claim discussions, usually for a fee you pay | Does not decideThe insurer's final decision or the construction work |
| Attorney | Works forYou, if you hire one | HandlesLegal advice, disputes and lawsuits, including where a public adjuster isn't an option | Does not decideThe construction work |
Where Remi fits
What Remi does, and doesn’t.
Remi works in the roofing lane. These lines come straight from what Remi publishes about its role in a claim.
Remi does
- Documents roof conditions and gives you a written, itemized scope and quote, at any point in the claim
- Explains the roofing work and what the scope includes
- Coordinates permits and schedules a licensed, insured partner crew
- Holds the guaranteed price on the quote you sign
- Backs the roof with a 5-year workmanship warranty that transfers if you sell
Remi doesn't
- Decide whether your policy covers the damage
- Interpret your policy or negotiate the claim for you
- Act as your public adjuster
- Promise that your insurer will approve the work or pay a set amount
Financing your deductible
Qualified policyholders can finance their deductible and other out-of-pocket costs with $0 due at signing. Approval happens over the phone, payments are low and monthly, and the financing comes through Remi's bank partners. Pre-qualification uses a soft credit pull and takes about 5 minutes, and there's no pre-payment penalty.
Did your insurer recommend a roofer?
Some insurers recommend a contractor or run a contractor program. The insurer decides what the policy covers and pays; you decide which roofing contract to sign. Compare the written scope, contract and warranty either way.
Remi's insurance claims line: 801.701.3260
Deductibles and depreciation
What you pay, and why.
Four terms explain most of the gap between the damage and the check. Policies handle roofs differently, so ask your insurer to explain your payment in writing.
- Your share of a covered loss
- Deductible
- The portion of a covered loss assigned to you, set by your policy. Some policies carry a separate wind or hail deductible, and some state it as a percentage of the home's insured value rather than a dollar amount.
- How long an insurance roof takes→
- ACV
- Actual cash value
- Pays what your roof is worth today, after depreciation for its age and wear.
- Remi FAQ→
- RCV
- Replacement cost
- Pays what it costs to replace the roof with comparable new materials, subject to the policy's terms and limits. It usually pays out more than actual cash value.
- Remi FAQ→
- Money held back until the work is done
- Recoverable depreciation
- On many replacement-cost policies, the insurer holds back depreciation from the first payment and considers paying it after the covered work is complete and it receives the required documents, such as the final invoice and completion photos.
- How long an insurance roof takes→
Roof age, exclusions, endorsements, coverage limits and the settlement type can all change a payment. This page doesn't list state rules; your policy and your state's insurance department are the authorities on those.
NAIC: filing a homeowners claim↗ (opens in new tab)Hail and wind
What a storm report can and can’t prove.
A storm report can confirm that hail or damaging wind was observed nearby. It can't tell you whether your shingles were hit or damaged, or whether an insurer will cover repairs. A roof inspection documents physical damage. Your insurer determines coverage under your policy.
NWS Local Storm Reports
Preliminary reports of hail size, wind gusts and damage, relayed by the National Weather Service during and after a storm. They stay preliminary until certified.
NOAA Storm Events Database
The official record of storms, searchable by state, county and date once reports are reviewed and certified.
Remi's storm guides
How to read a storm report field by field, and a 72-hour plan for documenting damage and calling your insurer.
Storm history by state
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Common questions
Claim questions, answered.
- Does homeowners insurance cover roof replacement?
- It depends on the cause of the damage. Insurance generally covers sudden events such as storms, hail, wind or falling debris, but not damage from general wear and age. Your policy's terms, limits and deductible decide what a covered claim pays.
- How do I start a roof insurance claim?
- Contact your insurance company to report the damage and request an adjuster inspection. Before cleanup or temporary repairs, photograph the damage from safe places and note when the storm happened. Ask the insurer which deadline applies and how to send photos or estimates.
- What to do after hail hits→
- Can my roofer talk to the insurance adjuster?
- A roofer may be able to provide an estimate, photographs, measurements and technical construction information, or attend an inspection when the insurer permits it. The roofer shouldn't be presented as the person deciding coverage or representing you in matters that require a public adjuster license. State rules vary.
- Does Remi negotiate my claim or interpret my policy?
- No. The insurance company makes the coverage and payment decision under the policy. Remi documents the roof, writes a written, itemized construction scope and quote, and does the work you authorize. If you want someone to represent you in the claim, that's a licensed public adjuster where your state allows one, or an attorney.
- Do I need a public adjuster for a roof claim?
- Not necessarily. Many homeowners work directly with the insurance company and their roofer. If you're considering a public adjuster, compare the help you expect with the fee, and check the adjuster's license and contract requirements with your state insurance department.
- What's the difference between ACV and RCV?
- Actual cash value (ACV) pays what your roof is worth today after depreciation. Replacement cost value (RCV) pays what it costs to replace it with new materials. RCV coverage results in a higher payout, and part of it may be held back as recoverable depreciation until the work is done.
- Can Remi give me a quote before the claim is finished?
- Yes. Remi can provide a roof quote at any point in the claim. The quote describes the roofing project and its price. It doesn't guarantee that your insurer will cover the work or pay the same amount.
- What if my roof claim is denied?
- Read the denial letter for the reason and the policy language it cites, and ask the insurer in writing about anything unclear. Your policy and state law set deadlines for disputing a decision. Appraisal settles disagreements about the amount of a covered loss, not whether it's covered. A licensed public adjuster, an attorney or your state insurance department can help with the claim itself. Remi can still give you a written, itemized quote for the roof.
Related guides
Keep reading.
- Roof replacement cost →Remi's planning ranges by state, and what moves a price.
- Roofing glossary →Plain-English definitions for the words on your estimate.
- For insurance carriers →How Remi handles roof claims for carriers, start to finish.
- Who is involved in a roof insurance claim? →The roles table in full, with a state insurance video.
- How long does an insurance roof replacement take? →A realistic timeline from inspection to final payment.
- What happens after your insurer recommends a roofer? →How to compare the scope, contract and support.
Get a written roof quote for your claim.
Get a quoteHave a claim on your own home? Call Remi's insurance claims line at 801.701.3260.