Step 1: Protect the house
If water is coming in, stop it first. Your policy expects you to prevent further damage. Tarp the roof (we do this 24/7), move belongings, and photograph everything before cleanup. Keep receipts for emergency repairs, since they're usually part of the claim.
Step 2: Get a roof inspection before you file
A free inspection from a roofer tells you whether there's real storm damage worth claiming. Filing for damage that isn't there can still go on your claims history. We chalk hail strikes, photograph every slope and check vents, gutters and flashing. Then we tell you honestly whether to file.
Step 3: File the claim
Call your insurance company or file online. Have ready:
- The date of the storm (we can match hail and wind reports to your address)
- Your policy number
- A short description: "hail and wind damage to the roof," plus any interior leaks
Write down your claim number and the adjuster's name when one is assigned.
Watch the deadline. Many Georgia policies require prompt notice and set a time limit from the date of loss, commonly one to two years. Check your policy. Don't wait until something leaks. See recent Atlanta storms.
Step 4: The adjuster inspection
Your insurance company sends an adjuster to inspect the roof. Have your roofer there. Adjusters often have several inspections a day. Having a roofer on site makes sure every damaged slope, vent, flashing and gutter gets seen and written into the estimate.
Step 5: Read the estimate
Your insurer's estimate, often written in Xactimate, lists every line item. Look for:
- RCV (replacement cost value): the full cost to replace
- ACV (actual cash value): RCV minus depreciation. Often this is what the first check covers.
- Depreciation: on most replacement-cost policies, released after the work is completed
- Deductible: your share, subtracted from the payout
Common items left off: drip edge, starter strip, ridge cap, ice and water shield, code-required items, steep and high charges, and gutters and soft metals.
Step 6: Supplements, partial approvals and denials
If the estimate misses items or approves only part of the roof, your roofer can send a supplement: a written request with photos and documentation. Discontinued shingles that can't be matched, damage on slopes the adjuster skipped, and code items are common reasons. If the claim is denied and the damage is real, you can ask for a re-inspection. Some homeowners also involve a public adjuster or attorney.
Step 7: Build and close out
Once the scope is approved, we complete the work. After the roof is done, we send completion documents so your insurer can release recoverable depreciation. You pay your deductible plus any upgrades you chose.
Red flags to avoid
- A contractor who offers to "cover" or waive your deductible. That means misrepresenting the claim to your insurer, and it can put the whole claim at risk.
- Door-knockers who show up after a storm with out-of-state plates and no local office
- Pressure to sign a contract on the spot before the adjuster has even come out
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to use my insurance company's preferred roofer?
No. In Georgia you choose your own contractor.
Will a claim raise my premium?
Weather claims are generally treated differently from at-fault claims, but every carrier is different. Ask your agent if you're concerned.
What if the adjuster says it's wear and tear?
Ask for the reasoning in writing and have a roofer inspect it. Hail bruising and wind creasing look different from age, and photos and test squares can show it.
How long does a roof claim take?
Simple claims can be approved in a couple of weeks. Supplements and re-inspections add time. We keep the paperwork moving.
What does Mosaic charge for help with the claim?
Inspections, documentation and adjuster meetings are free. On an approved claim, you pay your deductible. See insurance claims help.