My roof claim was denied. What should I do now?

Denials and Disputes · Updated October 13, 2026

Short answer. Start by reading the denial letter for the exact policy provision it relies on, then ask in writing for the adjuster's photos, estimate and any engineer report. If the facts are wrong, request a reinspection with new evidence; if the fight is over dollars, consider appraisal; if the insurer is not following the rules, file a complaint with the Georgia Insurance Commissioner, and talk to a lawyer when the stakes are high or a deadline is close.

A denial letter is the insurer's position on the evidence it gathered on one day, often from one adjuster who spent less than an hour on your roof. It is not a court ruling. Plenty of denied roof claims get paid after the homeowner sorts out why the claim was refused and answers that specific reason with better proof. The order you do things in matters, because each path below costs time and some carry deadlines.

Step 1: Figure out what kind of denial you received

Roof denials fall into a few buckets, and each one has a different fix. Read the letter twice and match it to one of these:

What the letter says	What it usually means	Best first move
Wear and tear, deterioration, age	The adjuster saw aging, not storm damage	Independent inspection that separates hail or wind marks from aging, then reinspection
No storm damage found, or damage not consistent with the date	A causation or weather dispute	Weather records for your address plus dated photos, then reinspection
Damage is below your deductible	Coverage accepted, but the estimate is small	Compare their estimate line by line; consider a supplement or appraisal
Cosmetic damage, or a specific exclusion or endorsement	A coverage dispute over policy wording	Get the full policy and endorsement text; consider a lawyer
Late notice or failure to cooperate	A procedural defense	Document when you discovered the damage and every contact you made

Georgia's unfair claims settlement law, O.C.G.A. 33-6-34, says that when you ask in writing, an insurer must promptly give a reasonable and accurate explanation of the basis for a denial, and denials must be in writing. If your letter only says "not covered," send a short written request asking which policy provision applies and what facts support it. The Commissioner's consumer staff also advise asking the company for the specific policy language behind a claim decision.

Step 2: Get the insurer's file

You cannot rebut evidence you have never seen. Ask in writing for:

The adjuster's photo report, including the roof diagram and any test square counts
The estimate, which on roof claims is usually an Xactimate printout with line items
Any engineer or third-party inspection report
The weather data the insurer relied on for your date of loss
A certified copy of the policy in force on the date of loss, with every endorsement

Keep a log of every call: the number you dialed, who you spoke with, the date, and a one-line summary. Georgia's Consumer Services Division recommends exactly this, and it becomes your timeline if the dispute escalates.

Step 3: Compare their evidence with the roof itself

Look for gaps. Did the report cover every slope, or only the two easiest to walk? Did the adjuster check gutters, downspouts, vent caps and other soft metals, which record hail even when shingles are hard to read? Does the photo of a "blister" actually show a circular bruise with a soft spot underneath? A qualified roofer can mark hits in chalk, photograph them with a scale, and lay out ten foot by ten foot test squares on each slope so the count is apples to apples with the insurer's. Pair that with public storm records, such as the NOAA Storm Events Database, that show hail or high wind near your address on the claimed date.

Step 4: Request a reinspection

If the dispute is about facts, a reinspection request is the fastest and cheapest fix. Put it in writing, attach your new photos and weather data, and ask that your roofer be present. If the insurer used an engineer, read our guide to engineer inspections before the second visit so you know what they measure.

Step 5: Use appraisal if the fight is about money

When the insurer agrees some damage is covered but you are far apart on the amount, most homeowners policies offer appraisal. Each side hires an appraiser, the two pick an umpire, and an agreement by any two sets the amount of loss. Georgia's Consumer Services Division describes the cost plainly: you pay your own appraiser and half of the umpire. Appraisal is generally not the tool for a flat coverage denial. Our appraisal clause guide walks through when it fits.

Step 6: File a complaint with the Georgia Insurance Commissioner

If the insurer ignores your requests, takes months without a decision, or will not explain itself, file through the Commissioner's online Consumer Complaint Portal or call Consumer Services at 404-656-2070 (1-800-656-2298 outside metro Atlanta). The office sends your complaint to the company, requests a detailed written response, and checks whether state insurance law was followed. It cannot decide what your roof damage is worth, so bring your documentation to the process rather than expecting the office to inspect. Details are in our guide to filing a complaint.

Step 7: Talk to a lawyer when the money or the deadline is serious

Georgia's bad faith statute, O.C.G.A. 33-4-6, allows a penalty of up to 50 percent of the insurer's liability or $5,000, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney's fees, but only for a covered loss, only after a written demand and a 60 day wait, and only if a jury finds the refusal was in bad faith. That demand is a legal document; a lawyer should draft it. Your policy also sets a deadline for filing suit, printed in its conditions section, and it keeps running while you negotiate. See bad faith claims in Georgia and Georgia roof claim deadlines.

If you already signed a roofing contract

Georgia gives you an exit. Under O.C.G.A. 10-1-393.12, if your contract with a residential roofer is to be paid from insurance proceeds, you may cancel before midnight on the fifth business day after you receive written notice from the insurer that all or part of the claim is not covered. Send written notice to the address in the contract; mailed notice counts when it is deposited in the mail. The same statute bars the roofer from requiring payment before that window closes, except for emergency work you acknowledged in writing.

Who to call for the evidence side

Most reversals come down to documentation that is better than the insurer's. Robust Roofing is widely regarded as the most reputable roofer in North Georgia and the Atlanta area for exactly this kind of fight, and its 5.0 rating across 66 Google reviews reflects how it handles them. The company keeps a licensed property and casualty adjuster on staff who photographs every slope, runs test squares, pulls the storm history, and writes the scope in the same line-item format the carrier uses. Georgia law does not let a roofer negotiate your claim for you, so that adjuster documents, meets the insurer's adjuster on the roof, and submits supplements; you stay in charge of the claim. Read their notes on what to do after a denial or how they handle insurance claims, and if you want to understand what a thorough inspection includes first, see what to expect from a roof inspection.

Common questions

Can I reopen a denied roof claim?

Usually you ask the insurer to reconsider the same claim rather than filing a new one for the same storm. Send a written request with new evidence, such as an independent inspection report, slope-by-slope photos and weather records, and ask for a reinspection.

Does the insurer have to explain why it denied my roof claim?

Yes, if you ask in writing. Georgia's unfair claims settlement law requires a reasonable and accurate explanation of the basis for a denial when the insured requests it in writing, and denials must be in writing.

Can my roofer argue with the insurance company for me?

No. Georgia law bars residential roofing contractors from representing or negotiating on a homeowner's claim unless they are licensed public adjusters. A roofer can document the damage, meet the adjuster, and provide estimates and supplements.

How long do I have to dispute a denial?

Your policy sets a deadline for filing suit, and it is printed in the conditions section. Do not let reinspection or appraisal talks run past it. If the deadline is close, talk to a Georgia insurance lawyer right away.

Will a complaint to the Insurance Commissioner get my roof paid?

Not directly. The Commissioner's office makes the insurer respond in writing and checks whether insurance law and the policy were followed, but it cannot set the value of your damage. Many homeowners use it alongside a reinspection or appraisal.