Key takeaways
– Your insurance company decides your claim. A roofing contractor can inspect, document, and help you understand the process, but can’t decide the outcome.
– Our 6-step process: Free Inspection, Filing Assistance, On-Site Adjuster Meeting, Supplement Handling, Scheduling, and Quality Installation.
– Good documentation and a clear understanding of your policy make every step easier.
Filing a roof claim can feel like a second job. There’s paperwork, phone calls, a visit from an adjuster, and a lot of unfamiliar terms. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone.
At SmartHome Roofing, we help homeowners across Glasgow, Bardstown and Somerset through the process every year. Here’s how a typical claim works, and where we fit in. Every policy is different, so treat this as a general guide and check your own policy.
First, a Few Honest Basics
Your insurance company, not your roofer, decides whether a claim is approved and how much is paid. We can’t promise an outcome, and anyone who does should raise a red flag. What we can do is inspect your roof, document the damage and help you work through the steps.
Policies vary on what’s covered, when you must report damage and how payments are made. Read your policy or ask your insurance agent. If you’re unsure whether to file, a Free Pre-Claim Inspection can give you an honest read first.
Our 6-Step Process
Step 1: Free Inspection
Everything starts with a free roof inspection. Our trained inspectors look at your roof, document what they find with digital photo evidence and give you a typewritten summary. You’ll learn whether the damage looks significant enough to consider a claim.
Step 2: Filing Assistance
If a claim makes sense, we help you get started. That can include explaining what your insurer is likely to ask for and organizing your photos and the inspection report. You file the claim with your insurer, and we’re there to help with the process.
Step 3: On-Site Adjuster Meeting
Your insurer may send an adjuster to look at the roof. We’re glad to meet them on site, if you’d like us to, and point out what we documented. Having someone there who knows roofs can help the conversation stay clear and factual.
Need a free roof inspection in Glasgow, Bardstown or Somerset? Schedule your free roof inspection with your nearest SmartHome team
Step 4: Supplement Handling
Sometimes the first estimate misses items that are needed to do the job right, such as additional damaged areas or required materials. A supplement is a request to your insurer to review those items. We prepare the supporting documentation and help you work through supplements with your insurer.
Step 5: Scheduling
Once your claim is approved, we schedule your project at a time that works for you. We’ll walk you through what to expect before the crew arrives, including how we protect your property. Timing can depend on materials and weather.
Step 6: Quality Installation
Our crews install your new roof as a complete system, following manufacturer specifications and local code. Property protection, a “no-drop zone” and a multi-pass magnetic sweep are part of how we care for your home. We also help you file for any recoverable depreciation your policy allows.
What Is “Recoverable Depreciation”?
Many policies pay for roof claims in stages. You may receive part of the payment up front and the rest, called recoverable depreciation, after the work is finished and documented. Whether and how your policy does this depends on its terms.
That’s why we help with the final paperwork after installation. We can’t guarantee what your insurer will pay, but we can make sure the documentation is complete.
How to Get Ready
A few habits make a claim go more smoothly:
- Document right away: take dated photos of damage, and note the date and time of the storm.
- Prevent further damage: if you can safely do so, protect belongings and consider a temporary tarp. Emergency repair is available 9 AM to 5 PM.
- Keep your records: save paperwork, photos, estimates and any messages with your insurer.
- Review your policy: check coverage and reporting deadlines, and ask your agent questions.
Red Flags to Watch For
After storms, out-of-town crews sometimes go door to door. Be cautious of anyone who promises a guaranteed approval, pressures you to sign right away or doesn’t have a local office. As a locally owned Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, we live and work in Kentucky, and we’d encourage you to ask any roofer for a local address, proof of insurance and local references.
Also beware of calls that use our name. See our fraud alert page for how to reach our verified office.
What If My Claim Is Denied or Is Less Than I Expected?
It happens, and it doesn’t always mean the end of the road. You can ask your insurer to explain its decision in writing, and a documented inspection can help you understand what’s being disputed. Your insurance agent can also help you with next steps.
We can share what we found on your roof and answer your questions. The decision, though, always rests with your insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use my roofer’s help to file a claim?
No. You can file on your own at any time. Many homeowners like having an experienced team beside them, especially at the adjuster meeting.
How long does a claim take?
It varies by insurer, the type of damage and the time of year. Ask your insurer for a timeline and keep notes on each conversation.
Will my insurer pay for a whole new roof?
It depends on the damage and your policy. A free inspection can tell you whether repair or replacement looks appropriate, and your insurer makes the final call.
Is the inspection really free?
Yes. Your initial consultation, quote and professional inspection report are provided to homeowners free of charge.
Start With a Free Inspection
If you think storm damage may be affecting your roof, start with a Free Pre-Claim Inspection. Learn more about our insurance claim process and our storm damage services, or read our guide to spotting hail damage.
Schedule your free roof inspection with your nearest SmartHome team. Visit our Glasgow, Bardstown or Somerset pages to find your local team.
