7 Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Roof Insurance Claim
A roof insurance claim can cover a major repair or a full replacement after storm damage, but small mistakes can slow it down or leave damage out of the estimate. Here are seven common mistakes and how to avoid them.
By V. Sanchez · Updated November 5, 2026 · 3 min read
The 7 mistakes at a glance
- Waiting too long
- Not documenting the damage
- Letting a small leak become a big one
- Skipping the adjuster meeting
- Not reading the estimate
- Hiring an out-of-town storm chaser
- Accepting an offer to cover your deductible
The 7 mistakes, and how to avoid them
Waiting too long
Policies set deadlines for reporting damage, and damage that sits for months is harder to tie to a specific storm. Get an inspection soon after a hail or wind storm and check your policy for its time limits.
Not documenting the damage
Write down the storm date and take photos of anything you can see: dents on gutters, missing shingles, water stains inside. A professional inspection with photos gives you a clear record of what the roof looks like.
Letting a small leak become a big one
Most policies expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. If water is getting in, get the area tarped and keep the receipt. See our emergency roof tarping page.
Skipping the adjuster meeting
The adjuster’s inspection shapes your estimate. Having your roofer there helps make sure all the damage is seen and noted, including damage on slopes that are hard to see.
Not reading the estimate
Your insurer will send a written estimate, often called the scope of loss. Read it carefully, compare it with your roofer’s findings and ask questions about anything that looks missing.
Hiring an out-of-town storm chaser
After big storms, crews from out of state go door to door. Be careful with anyone who pressures you to sign on the spot, asks for large payments up front or does not have a local address you can verify. Choose a local roofer with reviews you can check.
Accepting an offer to cover your deductible
Be wary of any contractor who offers to waive or absorb your deductible. Your deductible is your responsibility under your policy, and offers like that can cause problems with your claim.
What good documentation looks like
Photos from our own storm damage inspections.
A marked test square
Hail hits counted inside a marked square, the way adjusters and roofers check a slope.
Each hit marked
Individual hail hits circled in chalk so they show up clearly in photos.
Every slope labeled
Each slope is labeled and photographed, so nothing gets left out of the estimate.
Protected right away
A tarp stops more water from getting in while the claim is in progress. Keep the receipt.
Know your rights under Georgia law
Georgia has a law for homeowners who sign a roofing contract that will be paid from an insurance claim (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.12).
5 business days to cancel
If your insurer tells you in writing that all or part of your claim isn’t covered, you can cancel the roofing contract before midnight on the fifth business day after you get that notice.
No payment during that window
The roofer can’t require payment until those five business days have passed, except for emergency work like tarping that you agree to in writing.
Roofers can’t negotiate your claim
A roofing contractor can’t represent you or negotiate your claim with your insurer. Be wary of anyone who says they will.
This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. See the Georgia law section of our insurance guide or the Georgia Code.
The bottom line
You stay in charge of your claim. A good roofer helps by documenting the damage, meeting your adjuster and doing the work right.
Read our full roof insurance claim guide or see how we help on our insurance claims page.
Insurance claim FAQs
How long do I have to file a roof claim?
It depends on your policy, so check it or ask your agent. Either way, filing soon after the storm makes the damage easier to tie to that storm.
Should I call a roofer or my insurance company first?
Many homeowners get a free roof inspection first. A roofer can find hail and wind damage you can’t see from the ground and tell you whether it looks worth filing.
Can a roofer talk to my insurance company for me?
In Georgia, a roofing contractor can’t represent you or negotiate your claim. Your roofer can meet the adjuster on site and show the damage, but you stay in charge of the claim.
Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection
Emergency Roofing Solutions serves homeowners across Metro Atlanta and North Georgia. Prefer to talk? Call 404-474-4222. A live person answers 24/7.