Should I file a roof damage claim if my deductible is high?

Run the math first. If the damage is clearly under your deductible, filing doesn't help — and Missouri carriers can use a filed claim (even one paid below the deductible) to raise premiums or non-renew. If the damage is meaningfully above the deductible, file. If it's borderline, get the roofer's full estimate first and make the call.

Will filing a roof claim raise my insurance premiums?

It can. Most Missouri carriers consider claim history at renewal. A single claim usually doesn't trigger a non-renewal, but two claims in 3 years often does. Weather-related claims tend to be treated more favorably than maintenance claims.

What if my insurance company sends their own 'preferred' roofer?

You're not required to use them. Missouri law prohibits insurance carriers from forcing homeowners to use specific contractors. The preferred network often produces lower bids — useful for the carrier, sometimes worse for you. Get an independent estimate.

How long does a roof damage claim take to process?

Typical timeline: file → adjuster visit (3–14 days) → carrier estimate (3–7 days after) → check issued (7–14 days after estimate) → work scheduled (depends on roofer availability). Total: 4–8 weeks. Storm-event claims with high adjuster volume can run 8–12 weeks.

What if the roofer wants the insurance check sent directly to them?

Don't agree to this without understanding why. Some legitimate large roofing companies do receive insurance checks directly with the homeowner's permission. But many storm chasers ask for direct payment as a control mechanism. The safest pattern: insurance pays you, you pay the roofer in stages tied to milestones (deposit, mid-job, final).

Can I get a free roof inspection that doesn't tie me to a specific roofer?

Yes. Surgepoint sends you a vetted Missouri-licensed roofer with their license number and BBB rating in your inbox before they arrive. Free inspection. We never touch your insurance claim, never sign an AOB, never ask you to commit. You decide what to do with the report.

Insurance · Claims process

Roof damage insurance claim: the step-by-step guide for homeowners

Filing a roof damage insurance claim is mostly straightforward — but the difference between getting fully reimbursed and getting denied or short-paid usually comes down to four or five decisions you make in the first 72 hours after the storm. Here's the full process, in order, with the traps to avoid.

The short answer

File within your policy's window — most Missouri policies are 12 months from the date of damage, but acting in the first 60 days produces better outcomes.
Document the damage yourself before any contractor talks to your insurer. Photos, video, and a written description timestamped on your phone.
Get the inspection from a Missouri-licensed roofer separately from filing the claim — never in the same conversation with a contractor who says 'we'll handle everything.'
Never sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB). Never accept a contractor's offer to 'waive your deductible.' Both are red flags for insurance fraud.

The 7-step claim process, in order

**Step 1 — Document immediately (Day 0–3).** Photos and video of every angle of damage you can see safely from the ground. Timestamp them. If a tree limb is on the roof or a hailstone is on the lawn, photograph it before you move it. Save NOAA storm reports for your ZIP — adjusters often request them.

**Step 2 — Read your homeowner's policy declaration page.** Specifically: deductible amount, whether the policy is RCV (replacement cost value) or ACV (actual cash value), and what's excluded. RCV pays full replacement cost minus your deductible; ACV pays depreciated value. The difference on a $20,000 roof can be $5,000–$8,000.

**Step 3 — Call your insurance carrier directly to file the claim.** You — not a contractor — should be the one to file. Tell them what happened, when, and that you'll be getting an inspection. Get a claim number. Ask when the adjuster will arrive.

**Step 4 — Get a Missouri-licensed roofer's inspection BEFORE the adjuster arrives.** This is the single highest-leverage move in the whole process. The roofer's photographic documentation will set the floor on what the adjuster has to evaluate. If the adjuster shows up first and says 'no damage,' you're now arguing against their report instead of presenting your own.

**Step 5 — Be present for the adjuster's inspection.** Walk them through the damage with the roofer's report in hand. Ask questions. Take notes on what they say they're documenting. If they miss something, point it out and request they photograph it.

**Step 6 — Review the adjuster's estimate against the roofer's estimate.** They will differ. The adjuster's estimate is often lower (depreciation, line-item differences in the cost of materials and labor). If the gap is large, you can request a re-inspection or hire a public adjuster.

**Step 7 — Sign the work contract with the roofer separately from the insurance approval.** The contract is between you and the roofer, with a clear scope and price. The insurance check is between you and the carrier. Do not let the roofer 'collect the check directly.' You receive it; you pay them after the work is done to your satisfaction.

Missouri-specific filing windows and rules

Most Missouri homeowner's policies require claims to be filed within **12 months** of the date of damage. A few specific carriers have shorter or longer windows; check your policy.

Missouri has had **no statewide AOB ban** as of 2026, but legislation has been introduced multiple times because of post-storm fraud concerns. AOBs remain legal but legitimate roofers don't ask for them.

Missouri's **deductible-waiver fraud statute** prohibits any contractor from offering to 'pay your deductible' or 'waive it.' This is a misdemeanor for the contractor and exposes the homeowner to insurance fraud charges if accepted. Walk away from any roofer making this offer.

If your insurance claim is denied and you believe the denial is wrong, Missouri allows you to file a complaint with the **Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance**. Complaints often trigger re-inspections.

What to never do during a roof damage claim

**Never sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB).** Once signed, the contractor controls the claim. They negotiate price with the insurer, decide scope, and collect proceeds. If they over-bill, you can be on the hook. If they under-deliver, you have limited recourse because they technically have the contractual relationship with the insurer, not you.

**Never let a contractor 'handle everything.'** This is AOB-by-another-name in many cases. The phrase to listen for: 'just sign here and we'll deal with insurance for you.' That's the AOB.

**Never accept a deductible waiver.** It's illegal in Missouri (and most states), exposes you to fraud charges, and is a near-certain sign you're dealing with a storm chaser.

**Never let a contractor inspect AND file your claim simultaneously.** Inspect, get the report, then file the claim yourself. Keep these separate.

**Never make a claim decision under pressure.** A roofer telling you 'this offer is only good today' is selling you, not helping you. Real insurance claims have weeks of process; nothing legitimate happens in 4 hours.

When to hire a public adjuster

A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who works for the homeowner (not the carrier) to negotiate claims. They take 10–15% of the claim payout as their fee. They make sense when:

**The carrier denied a claim you believe is legitimate.** Public adjusters often get denials reversed.

**The carrier's estimate is significantly below the roofer's estimate** (e.g., the carrier says $8,000 and the roofer's full-replacement scope is $22,000). The PA can document the gap and negotiate.

**The damage is complex** (multiple slopes, structural issues, interior water damage from the leak). A solo homeowner often misses things in the documentation that the PA catches.

Public adjusters are different from 'we'll handle your claim' contractors. PAs are licensed by the state insurance department, paid only out of the claim proceeds, and have a fiduciary duty to the homeowner. Roofers don't.

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Frequently asked

Should I file a roof damage claim if my deductible is high?: Run the math first. If the damage is clearly under your deductible, filing doesn't help — and Missouri carriers can use a filed claim (even one paid below the deductible) to raise premiums or non-renew. If the damage is meaningfully above the deductible, file. If it's borderline, get the roofer's full estimate first and make the call.
Will filing a roof claim raise my insurance premiums?: It can. Most Missouri carriers consider claim history at renewal. A single claim usually doesn't trigger a non-renewal, but two claims in 3 years often does. Weather-related claims tend to be treated more favorably than maintenance claims.
What if my insurance company sends their own 'preferred' roofer?: You're not required to use them. Missouri law prohibits insurance carriers from forcing homeowners to use specific contractors. The preferred network often produces lower bids — useful for the carrier, sometimes worse for you. Get an independent estimate.
How long does a roof damage claim take to process?: Typical timeline: file → adjuster visit (3–14 days) → carrier estimate (3–7 days after) → check issued (7–14 days after estimate) → work scheduled (depends on roofer availability). Total: 4–8 weeks. Storm-event claims with high adjuster volume can run 8–12 weeks.
What if the roofer wants the insurance check sent directly to them?: Don't agree to this without understanding why. Some legitimate large roofing companies do receive insurance checks directly with the homeowner's permission. But many storm chasers ask for direct payment as a control mechanism. The safest pattern: insurance pays you, you pay the roofer in stages tied to milestones (deposit, mid-job, final).
Can I get a free roof inspection that doesn't tie me to a specific roofer?: Yes. Surgepoint sends you a vetted Missouri-licensed roofer with their license number and BBB rating in your inbox before they arrive. Free inspection. We never touch your insurance claim, never sign an AOB, never ask you to commit. You decide what to do with the report.

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