Hail storm in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, and Cedar Park, Texas on 9/24/2023

A severe hail storm swept through Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, and Cedar Park, Texas on September 24, 2023. The storm produced hail up to 3.5 inches in diameter, which caused significant damage to cars and homes.

If your property was damaged in the storm, you should file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. You have one year from the date of the storm to file a claim.

Here are some tips for filing an insurance claim:

• Get a free storm damage inspection with photos or videos of the damage to your property.
• Keep a record of all expenses related to the storm damage, such as hotel bills and rental car fees.
• Be prepared to provide your insurance company with a detailed list of the damage to your property. The insurance company will estimate the cost of repairs.

If you need help filing an insurance claim, or if you have any questions about the claims process, we are here to help.

ROOFING CLAIMS PROCESS

1:  You suspect you have hail damage & probably want to file a claim if it is extensive.

2: Call a local roofing company to inspect for hail damage & to assess if it is extensive enough to get the claim approved.

3: Call your insurance company to file the claim.

4:  The adjuster will call you to tell you when he/she will be out to inspect the damage.

5:  The claim is approved. You will receive the claims paperwork via email. This details all of the specific damage that the insurance company is paying to fix.

6: You will receive the first check called ACV (Actual Cash Value). This is the first of 2 checks. Sign & deposit into your bank account.

7:  Call the local roofing company that you have chosen. You will be asked to cut a check from your account for the amount of the 1st check plus your deductible.   Why?

8:  The project gets scheduled and all the work is done exactly as directed by claims paperwork.

9:  Upon completion of the project the roofing company will send documentation and certification of completion to the insurance company. Thus releasing the final check (Depreciation).

10: You deposit the last check into your account and then write your final check to the roofing company.

11:  You receive a thank you note from the roofing company. (Well you do if you choose us :)

12: Contact your insurance agent and let them know you have a brand new roof and to endorse your policy to reflect the new roof. This will often result in a reduced premium on your homeowners policy.

  Texas Department of Insurance Offers a Form to Lower Home Insurance Premiums After Installation of a Class 4 Shingle / Metal Roof. Note That Some Insurance Companies Will Install the Discount but Will Also Waive Your Future Right to Claim "Cosmetic Damage" Such as Hail.
Texas Department of Insurance Roofing Installation / Certification Form

FAQ

Q. What is the claims paperwork?
A.   This is the document detailing what areas the insurance company is paying to fix and how much they are paying for the work. 

Q.Do I need to get all the work done that the claims paperwork specifies?

A.  The insurance company will not re-insure items of the home not repaired. Meaning if the same area suffers damage    later the insurance company will not authorize payment due to the item not being repaired in the last claim. Often    there are follow-up inspections done to make sure the property was repaired to specifications.

NOTE - IF THERE IS A CERTAIN DETACHED STRUCTURE OR A PART OF YOUR HOME YOU NO LONGER WANT, NEED OR NEED TO HAVE INSURED, THEN YOU HAVE THE OPTION NOT TO REBUILD THAT PART OF YOUR PROPERTY. THE APPROVED CLAIM AMOUNT WILL BE REDUCED FOR WORK NOT COMPLETED.

Q.  What is ACV (Actual Cash Value)?

A.     It is the total replacement of the item cost minus depreciation. 

Depreciation  is the total price given to the amount that age & weathering have reduced the current market value of that item - in this case your roof.

Q.  Do I call my agent or the company directly to file the claim?
A.  Have your agent help you file the claim. They are going to know the claims process and will make sure everything is  coded properly. Your future insurance rates will be affected by the "code" given to this damage claim.

Q.  Is the roofing company supposed to meet the adjuster?
A.  The adjuster typically likes to do his/her job without the assistance of a roofer. However in the case that the claim is denied it is a good idea to have the roofing company there to meet the adjuster for the re-inspection of the damage.

Q.  Why do roofing companies ask for the claims paperwork?
A.  In most cases the roofing company is who will be submitting completion documents to the insurance company to certify all work has been done to specification. Without the claims paperwork we can not submit final paperwork to the insurance company.

Q.  Why is payment from the insurance company made with 2 separate checks?
A.  The insurance companies like to have leverage to make sure the work gets completed. This is due to claims being paid in the past where the property was never repaired / replaced.

Q.  Do I have to pay my deductible? There are companies who say I don't have to pay it.

A.  In order to get full payment from the insurance company someone has to submit paperwork indicating that the deductible has been paid.

Texas HB 2102 effective September 1st, 2019  : The new law creates a Class B misdemeanor offense of 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $2000, for (1) a business who sells goods or services to provide such a good or service in such a prohibited manner (violating contractor), (2) an insured (policyholder)who commits an offense if the person, in connection with a first party claim knowingly submits or allows a claim to be submitted in violation of subsection c, (the violation section directly above) unless the insured person promptly notifies the insurer of the violation.

Q.  What if I don't have the funds to pay my deductible?

A.  We offer financing for all credit types with options to pay over time. Typical loan periods are 2 - 12 years.

Q. I spent the first check already but I really need to get the work done!

A. We offer financing for all credit types with options to pay over time. Typical loan periods are 2 - 12 years

Q. Can I get an upgraded roof? Examples: Metal / Hail Resistant Shingle

A.   Yes you can! You just pay/finance the difference in price.

Q. Do I get a new roof discount from my insurance company now?

A. Some insurance companies will issue a new roof discount once completion has been certified. Click Here to download this TDI form to give to your insurance company if you have a Class 4 roofing material.

Q. Is my new roof a class 4 hail resistant material?

A. Some are and we can give you a form certifying this for your insurance company. You may get up to a 20% discount on your homeowner's insurance! NOTE: You will give up future claims for "cosmetic damage" like hail unless it actually makes holes through your roof.   Form

Q. Is there a warranty on my new roof?

A.   We offer workmanship warranties, (free leak repairs due), up to 25-years for shingles & 10-years for metal. We also include a 50-year material warranty for manufactures' defect.

Q. Will my insurance premiums go up after a storm damage claim?

A. It is against the law for an insurance company to increase your home owners insurance premium based on payment / claim of storm damage.