What is the Department of Insurance in GA, and how can it help with a roof claim?
What it can do on a roof claim
- Get you a response. When you file a complaint, the office forwards it to the insurer and asks for a written reply explaining the claim decision.
- Enforce timing rules. The Commissioner's claim settlement rule requires a property insurer to acknowledge a claim within 15 days, explain in writing when it needs more time, and pay within 10 days once coverage is confirmed and the amount is no longer disputed.
- Confirm licenses. Its online lookup shows whether an insurer, agent, adjuster, or public adjuster is licensed in Georgia.
- Investigate fraud. The office investigates suspected insurance fraud, including schemes aimed at storm claims.
What it cannot do
It does not inspect your roof, choose between your roofer's estimate and the adjuster's, or give legal advice. If the disagreement is only about how much the damage costs, the policy's appraisal clause is usually the tool. If the insurer refuses to pay a covered loss without a reasonable basis, that is a question for a Georgia attorney.
When to contact it
Reach out when the insurer stops responding, misses deadlines, denies a claim without citing a policy provision, or will not explain a decision. Have your policy number, claim number, dates of every contact, and copies of estimates and letters ready. The steps are laid out in our guide to filing a complaint with the Georgia Insurance Commissioner. Most complaints start online at oci.georgia.gov, and Consumer Services also takes calls at (404) 656-2070 or (800) 656-2298.