Filing a roof insurance claim can feel overwhelming, especially right after a storm when you are already dealing with the stress of damage to your home. The good news is that the process follows a predictable path, and knowing the steps ahead of time puts you in control. At 5ash Roofing, we have guided Memphis homeowners through this exact process for more than two decades. Here is a clear, honest walkthrough of how a roof insurance claim works in Memphis and how to give yourself the best chance of a fair outcome.
First, understand what your policy actually covers
Most standard homeowner policies in Tennessee and the Mid-South cover sudden, accidental roof damage from events like hail, wind, and fallen trees. What they typically do not cover is gradual wear, age-related deterioration, or damage caused by deferred maintenance. This distinction matters. If your 28-year-old roof finally gives out, that is usually not a claim. If a hailstorm last week cracked your five-year-old shingles, that very likely is. Dig out your policy or call your agent so you know your coverage type and your deductible before you start.
Step 1: Document the damage thoroughly
Strong documentation is the single biggest factor in a successful claim. Photograph all visible damage from the ground, including the roof, gutters, siding, windows, and any interior water stains. Note the date of the storm. If you saved any news reports or weather alerts about hail or high winds in your area, keep those too. They help establish that a covered event occurred on a specific date.
Step 2: Get a professional inspection before you call
Here is a step many homeowners skip, to their disadvantage. Before you file, have a reputable local roofer inspect your roof and document the damage professionally. A roofer can identify damage you cannot see from the ground and produce a detailed report with photos. This does two things: it tells you whether you even have a claim worth filing, and it gives you an independent assessment to compare against the insurance company’s findings. We provide this inspection free of charge across the Memphis area.
Step 3: File the claim with your insurer
Contact your insurance company by phone or through their app or website to open a claim. You will receive a claim number and be assigned an adjuster. Provide the date of loss, a description of what happened, and your documentation. Be factual and specific. The insurer will then schedule an adjuster to inspect your property in person.
Step 4: Have your roofer meet the adjuster
This is one of the most valuable things you can do. Ask your roofer to be present when the insurance adjuster inspects your roof. Adjusters are professionals, but they are also human and working through many claims. A knowledgeable roofer standing on the roof alongside them can point out damage that might otherwise be overlooked and make sure the scope of the claim reflects the true extent of the damage. We do this routinely for our Memphis customers, and it often makes the difference between an underpaid claim and a fair one.
Step 5: Review the claim settlement carefully
Once the adjuster completes their assessment, you will receive a claim summary, often called a scope of loss, along with an estimated payment. Read it closely. Many policies pay in two parts: an initial actual cash value payment up front, and a recoverable depreciation payment released after the work is completed. Make sure the scope includes everything that was damaged, including items like flashing, vents, and gutters, not just the shingles. If something is missing, your roofer can help you submit a supplement for the insurer to review.
Step 6: Choose your contractor, then schedule the work
It is your legal right to choose who does the work; the insurance company cannot require you to use a specific contractor. Pick a licensed, insured, local company that will be around to honor the warranty. Once the work is finished and the final invoice is submitted, your insurer typically releases the remaining depreciation, completing the payout.
A word of caution on storm chasers
After every Memphis storm, out-of-town crews appear offering to handle your entire claim and waive your deductible. Waiving a deductible is often illegal and almost always a sign of trouble. These crews can disappear after the job, leaving you with no recourse if problems appear later. A local, family-owned company has a reputation in this community to protect.
What to do if your claim is denied or underpaid
Not every claim is approved on the first pass, and a denial is not always the end of the road. If your insurer denies the claim or offers far less than the cost of proper repairs, you have options. Ask for the denial in writing along with the specific reason. Often a denial comes down to a disputed cause of damage or a scope that missed items your roofer identified. In those cases, your roofer can prepare a detailed supplement with additional photos and documentation and request a re-inspection. Many initially low offers are corrected once the full extent of the damage is properly presented. The key, once again, is documentation: the stronger your evidence, the harder it is for a claim to be brushed aside.
Understanding deductibles, depreciation, and your real cost
Two terms cause more confusion than any others in roofing claims. Your deductible is the amount you are responsible for before insurance pays anything, and it is set by your policy. Depreciation is the amount the insurer holds back to account for the age and wear of your old roof. On a replacement cost policy, that withheld depreciation is recoverable, meaning the insurer releases it once the work is completed and documented. On an actual cash value policy, it is not, which can leave you covering a larger share. Knowing which kind of policy you have before a storm hits lets you plan for your true out-of-pocket cost rather than being surprised by it.
If your Memphis area roof has storm damage and you are unsure where to start, call 5ash Roofing. We will inspect your roof for free, tell you honestly whether you have a claim, and walk with you through every step of the process. Two generations of roofing Memphis means we are here long after the claim is closed.
