"How long is this going to take?" is the first question most homeowners ask once they find storm damage. The honest answer: a straightforward claim usually goes from storm day to a finished roof in about 4 to 10 weeks. A claim that needs a supplement or a second adjuster visit can take longer.
Here's what happens at each step, and where things usually slow down.
Step 1: Free inspection (day 1 to 3).
Before you call your insurance company, have a roofer document the damage. We walk every slope, mark and photograph each hail hit or wind crease, and check vents, flashing, gutters and the attic. If there's no real damage, we tell you, and you don't open a claim you didn't need.
Step 2: File the claim (same day).
If there's damage, you call your insurance company or file online. You'll get a claim number, and an adjuster gets assigned. Have your storm date ready. Our 2026 hail storm dates list every hail day in metro Atlanta this year.
Step 3: The adjuster visit (1 to 3 weeks).
The adjuster inspects the roof and decides what's covered. After big storms, when adjusters are busy, this can take longer. We recommend having your roofer there. We meet adjusters on the roof, point out every documented hit, and make sure nothing gets missed.
Step 4: The estimate and the first check (1 to 3 weeks).
The insurance company sends a written estimate (often called the "scope") and usually a first check for the actual cash value: the cost of the work minus depreciation and your deductible. If you have a mortgage, the check may be made out to you and your lender, which can add a week or two to get it endorsed.
Step 5: Supplements, if needed (1 to 4 weeks).
Adjusters work fast, and first estimates often leave things out: drip edge, starter shingles, ice and water shield, pipe boots, code-required items, or extra layers. A supplement is a documented request to add what was missed. This is the step where claims most often stall, and where a contractor who knows Xactimate (the estimating software most insurers use) makes a real difference.
Step 6: Install day (1 to 2 days for most homes).
Once the scope is right, we order materials and schedule the job. Most residential roof replacements take one or two days. Bigger, steeper or specialty roofs take longer.
Step 7: Final payment (1 to 3 weeks after the install).
With a replacement cost policy, the insurer holds back the depreciation until the work is done. After the install, we send the final invoice and photos, and the insurer releases the rest of the money (the "recoverable depreciation"). You pay your deductible. Georgia law doesn't allow a roofer to waive or cover it.
What slows a claim down?
- Waiting to file. The longer damage sits, the harder it is to tie it to one storm.
- No documentation. Without photos of each hit, it comes down to the adjuster's word.
- A low first estimate. Missing items mean a supplement and more back and forth.
- Mortgage company checks. Lenders often have their own paperwork before they release money.
- Denials. If your claim is denied, you can ask for a re-inspection, and we can help you document why. Here's our full Georgia insurance claim guide.
How long do I have to file a roof claim in Georgia?
Most Georgia homeowner policies allow 12 months from the date of the storm, and some allow longer. Check the claim-reporting section of your policy.
Do I have to use the roofer my insurance company recommends?
No. You choose your contractor. The insurance company pays for the covered damage, not for a specific roofer.
Can a roofer pay my deductible?
No. In Georgia it's illegal for a contractor to waive, rebate or cover your deductible. Be wary of anyone who offers to.
Will filing a claim raise my rates?
It can, which is why we inspect first. If your roof doesn't have damage, we'll tell you before you file.
