What should you do if insurance denies your roof replacement?
Short answer. Get the denial in writing with the policy language it relies on, then gather your own evidence with an independent roof inspection and photos. From there you can request a reinspection, submit a supplement or engineer rebuttal, use the appraisal clause for amount disputes, or file a complaint with the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.
First, identify what kind of no it is
- Full denial: the insurer says there is no covered damage, often citing wear and tear, manufacturing defects or damage below the deductible.
- Partial approval: the insurer agrees there is damage but approves a repair or a few slopes instead of a full roof.
- Late or excluded: the claim was filed after the policy's deadline, or the loss falls under an exclusion such as cosmetic damage.
Each one has a different fix, so ask for the adjuster's photos, report and any engineer's report.
Build your response
- Get an independent inspection with dated photos of hail hits, creased shingles and soft metal damage.
- If repair was approved, test whether the old shingles can be lifted without cracking, and document whether a matching shingle exists.
- Send a written reinspection request with your evidence and ask that your roofer attend.
- If the dispute is over the amount, not coverage, review the appraisal clause.
- If the insurer will not engage, file a consumer complaint with the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.
Protect yourself
If you signed an insurance contingent contract with a roofer, Georgia law lets you cancel it after a denial within the window your contract states. If the denial looks unreasonable, an attorney can advise you on Georgia's bad faith rules. See roof claim denied: what to do for the full playbook.