How does a roof claim work?
Short answer. A roof claim works in stages: you report storm damage, the insurer sends an adjuster to inspect, the adjuster writes an estimate, you receive a first payment, the roof is repaired or replaced, and any withheld depreciation is released after the work is finished. Your deductible comes out of the total, and your mortgage lender may be named on the checks.
It helps to know who the players are, because each one controls a different part of the claim.
You, the policyholder
- Report the damage promptly with the storm date
- Protect the house from further damage
- Give the adjuster access and answer questions accurately
- Choose your contractor; the insurer does not get to choose for you
- Pay your deductible
The insurer's adjuster
- Inspects the roof and decides what a covered event caused
- Writes the estimate, usually line by line in estimating software
- Applies depreciation and the deductible
- Handles reinspections and supplements
Your roofing contractor
- Inspects and documents the damage, often before you file
- Meets the adjuster on the roof to point out damage
- Compares the estimate with what the job requires and submits supplements with evidence
- Builds the roof and provides the final invoice
In Georgia, a contractor can document and scope the roof work but cannot negotiate the claim for you the way a licensed public adjuster can. See public adjuster versus roofer.
Your mortgage company
If you have a mortgage, the lender is usually named on dwelling checks and must endorse them, sometimes releasing funds in stages.
When something goes wrong
If you disagree with the estimate, you can request a reinspection, invoke appraisal if your policy has it, or contact the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner. For filing steps, see how to file a roof insurance claim, and for durations, the Georgia roof claim timeline.