The moment they ask
That is your insurance company's decision, not mine. What I can do is document the damage properly, so they have what they need.
Insurance will definitely cover this.
Coverage depends on what caused the damage and when, so the first step is getting it inspected and photographed.
They never pay for roofs, do not bother.
If you decide to file a claim, the inspection report and photos come straight to you, so you can send them to your insurer.
Sign here and I will handle the claim for you.
What the homeowner can do today
- Take photos and video of the damage, inside and out, before anything is moved or repaired.
- Note the date of the storm or event that caused it, if they know it.
- Limit further damage with a tarp or a bucket, and keep the receipts.
- Find the policy and check the deductible and how long they have to report a claim.
- Call the insurer directly and ask how they want the claim started.
What the contractor should and should not do
- Document the damage with dated photos and a written inspection report.
- Explain the repair options and the price, separately from any claim.
- Never promise coverage, and never offer to waive or cover the deductible.
- Leave negotiating the claim to the homeowner or a licensed public adjuster. In many states, that is the law.
The three ways this goes wrong
- Saying insurance will cover it to win the job. The adjuster decides, and the broken promise lands on you.
- Offering to waive the deductible. It can be illegal, and it puts the homeowner's claim at risk.
- Waiting on the claim before stopping the leak. The damage keeps growing, and the insurer may ask why it was not protected.
Whether insurance pays is the insurer's call. Your job is honest documentation, a clear price, and making sure the homeowner knows who decides.
I answer the phones for roofing contractors, and when a caller asks about insurance I tell them who decides and book the inspection that documents the damage. callbobai.com