Texas roof insurance claims, explained straight.
How to file a claim, what is covered, what to avoid, and how Jerry walks the roof with your adjuster. By Jerry Pilley — 7 years on Katy storm jobs.
The Honest Version
What every Katy homeowner needs to know about a Texas roof claim.
Texas insurance law has shifted in recent legislative sessions. The old “you have two years to file” advice no longer fits every situation. The single most important thing you can do after a hailstorm or windstorm is move quickly: document the damage, get a real inspection from a local roofer, and open the claim before the deadline closes on your loss date. We do not play insurance games. We walk your roof, tell you the truth about what we see, meet your adjuster on-site, and never touch your deductible.
Step by Step
How to file a Texas roof claim
in 8 steps.
From “I have storm damage” to “the depreciation check cleared.”
Document the damage immediately
Before you call anyone, walk your property with your phone and take dated, timestamped photos of every visible impact: dented gutters, dinged AC fins, cracked window screens, shredded leaves on the ground, and any obvious shingle damage you can see from the ground. Photograph the date on a newspaper or your phone's home screen. This timestamp evidence becomes critical if the carrier tries to argue the damage is old.
Get a free roof inspection from a local licensed roofer
Before you open a claim, have a reputable Katy roofer physically inspect the roof. You want confirmation that damage is real, recent, and worth filing on. A good inspector gives you a written damage report with photos. If the damage is cosmetic or below your deductible, a honest roofer will tell you not to file. Filing a claim that gets denied still counts on your loss history.
Open the claim with your insurance carrier
Call your carrier's claims line or use their app to open a first-party property claim. You will get a claim number and an assigned adjuster. Under Texas Insurance Code §542.055, the carrier must acknowledge your claim within 15 business days (or 15 days under some triggers — verify the exact timeline with TDI). Write down the claim number, the adjuster's name, and every phone call date.
Schedule the adjuster inspection and have your roofer present
When the carrier sends their field adjuster, your roofer should be on-site at the same time. This is not adversarial — it is normal and expected. Your roofer walks the roof with the adjuster, points out damage, takes matching photos, and makes sure nothing gets missed. Adjusters handle dozens of claims a week and occasionally miss slope damage or ventilation issues. Having a pro there for you evens the playing field.
Review the scope of loss and initial estimate
After the inspection, the adjuster produces a scope of loss (usually an Xactimate estimate) showing line-by-line what they will pay for. Compare it carefully to your roofer's scope. If items are missing — drip edge, ice-and-water shield, ridge vent, code upgrades, detach-and-reset of gutters — your roofer files a supplement with documentation. Supplements are a normal part of Texas claims, not a fight.
Receive the ACV check and sign the contract
Most Texas policies pay in two parts. First, you receive an Actual Cash Value (ACV) check, which is replacement cost minus depreciation and your deductible. You sign a contract with your chosen roofer, and work can begin. If your mortgage is still active, the check will typically be made out to you and the mortgage company, and the bank will endorse it in stages.
Complete the work and submit for recoverable depreciation
Once the roof is installed, your roofer sends the final invoice and a Certificate of Completion to the carrier. The carrier then releases the recoverable depreciation (RCV holdback), usually within 30 days. Your total out-of-pocket at the end should equal only your deductible, period. If a contractor tries to keep any of the depreciation money, that is a problem — it is yours.
Keep all paperwork for the full warranty period
Keep the claim file, adjuster scope, contract, final invoice, certificate of completion, and manufacturer warranty registration for at least the length of your shingle warranty (25-50 years). If you sell the house, these documents transfer value. If a future storm hits, you have a clean paper trail showing the age and spec of the existing roof.
The Legal Side
Texas insurance law for roof claims.
The Texas Insurance Code gives homeowners real protections, but they only help if you know them.
Visit tdi.texas.govTexas insurance law: what every Katy homeowner should know
Texas law gives homeowners real protections on property insurance claims, but those protections only help if you know them. Here are the facts that matter most, drawn from the Texas Insurance Code and the Texas Department of Insurance (tdi.texas.gov). We recommend verifying current specifics with TDI before relying on any deadline, because Texas insurance law has changed several times in recent sessions.
- Filing deadline (statute of limitations): Texas has shortened the filing window for first-party property claims in recent legislative sessions. The historical two-year window under Texas Insurance Code §16.070 and related provisions has been tightened by recent bills. Do not assume you have two years — confirm the current deadline for your specific loss date with TDI or a licensed Texas public adjuster, and file promptly.
- 15-day acknowledgment requirement: Under Texas Insurance Code §542.055, once you notify your carrier of a claim, they must acknowledge the claim, start an investigation, and request any initial information within 15 business days.
- Prompt payment deadlines: Under Texas Insurance Code §542.056 and §542.058, once the carrier accepts a claim, they must pay within a defined window (currently 5 business days after notice of acceptance, with interest and attorney's fees on late payment under §542.060). Exact timing varies — check the current statute.
- Your right to choose your contractor: Texas does not allow carriers to force you onto a preferred vendor list. You pick the roofer. Any adjuster or claims rep who tells you otherwise is wrong.
- Deductible waiving is illegal: Under Texas Insurance Code §707.003, it is a crime for a contractor to offer to waive, pay, rebate, or absorb your insurance deductible on a property claim. If a roofer offers this, walk away — you are both committing insurance fraud.
- Matching provisions: Texas does not have a statutory matching law, but most HO-3 and HO-5 policies contain language requiring reasonable matching of undamaged materials. If your hail-damaged slope cannot be matched to the rest of your roof, push for full replacement as a supplement.
- Public adjusters are regulated: Texas licenses public adjusters through TDI. If your claim is denied or grossly underpaid, a licensed public adjuster (not a contractor) can represent you for a regulated fee.
This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm current Texas Insurance Code provisions and filing deadlines directly with the Texas Department of Insurance at tdi.texas.gov or 1-800-252-3439 before relying on them.
Coverage Reference
What’s covered vs not covered.
Standard HO-3 / HO-5 policy coverage in Texas.
| Type of Damage | Typically Covered? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hail impact damage | Yes | Standard covered peril on HO-3 and HO-5 policies. Must be documented within filing window. |
| Wind damage (lifted or missing shingles) | Yes | Covered if wind speed was sufficient. Tie to a named event (NOAA storm report) strengthens the claim. |
| Hurricane / tropical storm damage | Yes | Covered, though some Texas coastal policies have a separate named-storm deductible (often 2-5 percent). |
| Fallen tree / debris impact | Yes | Covered under Other Structures or Dwelling coverage. Tree removal is typically a sub-limit. |
| Lightning strike damage | Yes | Covered. Document any electrical damage in the attic as well. |
| Normal wear and tear / aging | No | Never covered. Carriers will deny and note your roof as expired. |
| Manufacturing defects | No | Not a covered peril — pursue through the shingle manufacturer warranty (GAF, IKO, CertainTeed). |
| Improper prior installation | No | Carrier will deny and usually cite the prior contractor. Pursue through that contractor's liability insurance. |
| Maintenance neglect (clogged valleys, rotted decking) | No | Your responsibility as the homeowner. Document maintenance to protect future claims. |
| Cosmetic hail damage only | Depends | Many newer Texas policies include a cosmetic damage exclusion on roofs. Check your declarations page. |
Storm-Chaser Scams
Red flags — walk away if you see these.
These are the patterns out-of-state storm chasers and shady operators use to scam Texas homeowners. None of them are worth the risk.
Door-to-door storm chasers the day after a hail event
Legitimate Katy roofers do not need to knock on doors at 7pm the day after a storm. Out-of-state crews follow storms with magnet signs and disappear before warranty claims come due. If they cannot show you a Texas business address, Texas liability insurance, and Katy-area references from before the storm, do not sign.
Offers to waive, cover, or 'eat' your deductible
This is illegal in Texas under Insurance Code §707.003. A contractor who offers it is committing a crime and asking you to commit one too. It also means they are inflating the contract price by the amount of the deductible so the carrier effectively pays it. Walk away and report it to TDI.
Assignment of Benefits (AOB) paperwork on first visit
An AOB signs your insurance rights over to the contractor. Once signed, the contractor deals directly with your carrier, can file suit in your name, and in bad-faith cases has been known to inflate claims and keep proceeds. Reputable Katy roofers do not need an AOB to work your claim — you remain the policyholder.
Demand for full upfront payment or large deposits
Texas law does not prohibit deposits, but reputable roofers rarely ask for more than a materials deposit, and almost never before work is scheduled. If a contractor wants 50-100 percent upfront on an insurance claim, that is a red flag. The standard on insurance work is ACV check at contract signing, depreciation after completion.
'Free roof' or 'no cost to you' marketing
There is no such thing as a free roof in Texas. You always owe your deductible. Language like 'free roof' is typically a trap to get you to sign an AOB or to signal that the contractor will inflate the scope to cover your deductible (which, again, is illegal).
Pressure to sign 'before the adjuster gets here' or 'today only'
Insurance claims have no same-day deadline. Any salesperson rushing you past reading the contract is hiding something — usually cancellation terms, AOB language, or liquidated damages clauses that charge you thousands if you back out.
No local address, no Texas liability insurance, no references
Ask for a current Certificate of Insurance (general liability + workers' comp) sent to you directly from the insurance agent, not a PDF from the contractor. Ask for 3 Katy-area references from jobs completed more than a year ago. If they cannot produce either, do not hire them.
Recent Texas Events
Storms that hit Katy homeowners.
If your roof was damaged in any of these events, the filing window may still be open. Confirm your specific deadline with TDI.
2024-05-16
May 16 2024 Houston Derecho
Straight-line winds of 100+ mph across Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller counties. Widespread shingle lift, tree impact, and structural damage across Katy, Cypress, and west Houston. One of the costliest non-hurricane Texas wind events on record.
Filing: Confirm with TDI based on current statute of limitations
2024-04-10
April 2024 East Texas / Houston Hail Events
Multiple severe hail events from early to late April 2024 delivered 1.5-2.5 inch hail across Fort Bend, Harris, and Montgomery counties. Many Katy-area homes sustained Class 3-4 impact damage that was still being claimed into 2025.
Filing: Confirm with TDI based on current statute of limitations
2024-07-08
July 8 2024 Hurricane Beryl
Category 1 landfall at Matagorda, tracked directly over the Houston metro including Katy. Sustained wind damage to shingles, flashing, and fencing. Named-storm deductibles applied on many Gulf Coast policies.
Filing: Confirm with TDI — named storm deductibles may apply
2025-04-15
March-May 2025 Spring Hail Season
Typical peak hail season in the Houston hail belt runs March through May. Verify your specific loss date against NOAA storm reports and your carrier's event log before filing.
Filing: Confirm with TDI based on current statute of limitations
2025-09-01
2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Any named storm impacting the Katy area during the June 1-November 30 season should be documented immediately. Photograph pre-storm and post-storm conditions if you have warning.
Filing: Confirm with TDI — named storm deductibles may apply
What Jerry does on your insurance claim
I have walked hundreds of Katy roofs with insurance adjusters. Here is exactly what I do for you, and it costs nothing until you have a signed claim and a contract.
- Free pre-claim inspection. I come out, walk your roof, and tell you honestly whether damage is worth filing on. If it is not, I tell you that and we move on. Filing a weak claim hurts your loss history.
- Written damage report with photos. You get the report whether you hire me or not. You can use it to open the claim yourself.
- On-site at the adjuster meeting. I meet your field adjuster at your house, walk the roof with them, and make sure every damaged slope, every bruised shingle, and every bent vent gets into their scope of loss.
- Supplement fights when the scope is light. If the adjuster misses drip edge, code upgrades, ice-and-water shield, detach-and-reset of gutters, or matching issues, I document it and submit a supplement to the carrier. This is normal and expected.
- No deductible games. You pay your deductible. Period. I do not waive it, absorb it, rebate it, or pretend it does not exist. That would be illegal for both of us under Texas Insurance Code §707.003.
- Direct phone line. You call me, not a call center. (409) 351-1529 goes straight to me. I answer claims questions whether you hire me or not.
Insurance FAQ
Texas insurance claim questions.
How long do I have to file a roof insurance claim in Texas?+
Texas has shortened the filing window for first-party property claims in recent legislative sessions, so do not assume the old two-year rule still applies. Verify the current deadline for your specific loss date with the Texas Department of Insurance (tdi.texas.gov, 1-800-252-3439) and file promptly — weeks matter more than months.
Will filing a roof claim raise my insurance premiums?+
A single storm claim typically has minimal effect on your Texas premiums because hail and wind events are considered catastrophic losses, not driver behavior. Multiple claims within 3-5 years can raise rates or lead to non-renewal, which is why you should never file a claim unless a reputable local roofer has confirmed real, documentable damage first.
Can my insurance company force me to use their preferred roofer?+
No. Under Texas law you have the absolute right to choose your own contractor on any property claim. An adjuster who tells you otherwise is wrong, and you can report the behavior to the Texas Department of Insurance at tdi.texas.gov.
What if my claim is denied?+
Denied Texas claims are not final. You can request a written explanation, hire a licensed Texas public adjuster (regulated by TDI), file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance, or consult a property insurance attorney. Many denials are overturned on supplement or appeal when presented with proper documentation.
Do I have to pay my deductible if my roof is a total loss?+
Yes. Your deductible is owed on every covered claim, and any contractor who offers to waive or absorb it is breaking Texas Insurance Code §707.003. Honest Katy roofers will collect your deductible like any other part of the contract and never hide it in inflated line items.
What is Actual Cash Value (ACV) versus Replacement Cost Value (RCV)?+
ACV is the depreciated value of your current roof — what it is worth today with its age and wear factored in. RCV is the full cost to replace it with new materials. Texas RCV policies pay ACV upfront and release the recoverable depreciation once the work is complete and documented, meaning you are made whole minus your deductible.
How long does the whole insurance claim process take in Katy?+
A typical Katy roof claim runs 3 to 8 weeks from opening the claim to final depreciation payment. Simple claims with cooperative carriers finish in 3-4 weeks, while supplement fights, mortgage company check endorsements, and large-loss events after major storms can push to 8-12 weeks.
Does Jerry's Roofing charge for storm damage inspections?+
No. Jerry's Roofing provides free, no-obligation storm damage inspections across Katy, Fulshear, Cypress, Brookshire, Richmond, and west Houston. You get a written damage report with photos whether you hire us for the work or not. Call or text (409) 351-1529 to schedule.
Free Storm Inspection
Think you have storm
damage in Katy?
Think your Katy roof has storm damage? Get a free, no-pressure inspection and written damage report. Jerry answers his own phone — call or text (409) 351-1529. We walk your roof, give you the honest truth, and meet your adjuster on site if you file a claim.