INSURANCE CLAIM ASSISTANCE
Roof Insurance Claim Help in Austin, TX - We Fight Until Your Claim Is Approved
Most roofing contractors in Austin say they work with insurance. What that usually means is they hand your adjuster a basic damage report and hope for the best. At Altitude Roofing, it means something different.
We have helped homeowners whose claims were denied once, twice, even four times. We have helped homeowners who received settlements that covered only half of what the job actually required. We meet your adjuster on-site, build the documentation they need to approve your claim, write appeals when claims are underpaid, and communicate directly with your insurance company until the job is done right.
Edwin Nichols has been doing this work in Central Texas for over 20 years. As a GAF Master Elite certified contractor – a designation held by fewer than 2% of roofers in the country – the reports we produce carry weight with adjusters that most contractors cannot match. If your roof has storm or hail damage, your insurance should pay for it. We make sure it does.
- GAF Master Elite Certified
- We Meet Your Adjuster On-Site
- Denied Claims Won
Get Your Free Inspection
Please fill out the form below to schedule your roof inspection. Our team will contact you within 24 hours to confirm the details.
- No obligation. 100% Free Estimate.
When Insurance Says No, We Say Not Yet
Insurance companies do not always approve legitimate claims on the first try. Or the second. We have worked with Austin homeowners who had claims denied multiple times before their insurer finally approved the replacement their roof actually needed.
A denial does not mean the damage is not real. In most cases it means the documentation did not meet the standard the adjuster required. That is exactly what we fix. We rebuild the damage case from the ground up – detailed photo reports, written assessments, direct adjuster communication by email and phone – and we stay in it until the claim is resolved.
What a Austin Homeowner Says About Working With Us
Does Your Homeowner's Insurance Cover Roof Damage in Texas?
Most Texas homeowner policies cover sudden, accidental damage to your roof caused by a weather event. What they do not cover is age-related wear, deferred maintenance, or gradual deterioration. The distinction matters, and it is the first thing we assess during your free inspection.
Many Austin homeowners do not file because they assume their roof is too old or that the damage is not obvious enough. Both assumptions are often wrong. An older roof that sustains new storm damage is still covered for that damage. And most hail damage is not visible from the ground.
Typically Covered
- Hail damage including granule loss and impact bruising.
- Wind damage lifted shingles, torn flashing, ridge cap loss.
- Severe storm and thunderstorm damage.
- Fallen tree or branch damage during a storm.
- Water intrusion caused by a covered storm event.
- Lightning strike damage.
Typically Not Covered
- Normal wear and tear over time.
- Age-related deterioration past rated lifespan.
- Deferred maintenance or ignored repairs.
- Improper original installation or workmanship.
- Pre-existing damage not from a covered event.
If your roof is older and you have been told it probably will not qualify – call us first. An older roof that takes new hail or storm damage is still covered for that damage. Age affects how your insurer calculates the payout, not whether the event qualifies. There is a meaningful difference, and it is worth understanding before you decide not to file.
Replacement Cost Value (RCV)
Pays what it costs to replace your roof at current prices, minus your deductible. This is the better policy type for roof claims. You pay your deductible and insurance covers the rest.
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
Subtracts depreciation based on your roof’s age. A 15-year-old roof on a 25-year policy may receive a payout significantly below current replacement cost, you cover the difference out of pocket.
How We Handle Your Roof Insurance Claim - Start to Finish
We have handled hundreds of insurance claims across Austin and Central Texas. Here is exactly what happens from the first call to the final shingle – no surprises.
Step 1
Free Roof Inspection and Damage Documentation
We come to your property at no cost and no obligation. Our inspector gets on the roof and documents every area of damage with high-resolution photos and a detailed written report – hail bruises, lifted shingles, damaged flashing, gutter granule buildup, anything relevant to your claim. Our reports are produced to the standard insurance adjusters require, not a basic contractor estimate.
Step 2
Honest Claim Assessment
We tell you clearly whether the damage qualifies as a covered event and whether filing is in your interest. If it is, we walk you through contacting your insurer’s claims department directly and provide everything needed to open a strong claim. If the damage does not warrant a claim, we will tell you that too. We do not recommend filing when it is not the right call.
Step 3
We Meet Your Adjuster On-Site
This is one of the most important steps in the process – and one most roofing contractors skip entirely. We schedule the adjuster appointment and meet them at your property. We walk them through every documented damage point, provide our written inspection report, and make sure nothing gets overlooked. Adjusters work for your insurance company. We work for you.
Step 4
Claim Review and Supplement Advocacy
Once your settlement arrives, we review it against the full scope of work required. If anything is underpaid, missing, or depreciated incorrectly, we prepare supplement documentation and advocate for the correct amount. We have helped Austin homeowners reverse partial settlements – including many where the insurer initially offered to pay only half the estimated cost and reversed course to cover the full amount after Edwin helped write the appeal.
Step 5
Denied Claim - We Do Not Stop Here
A denial is not always the final word. We review the reason for the denial, rebuild the documentation where it was lacking, and work through the formal appeals process on your behalf. We have overturned claims denied two, three, and four times. If your damage is real and your claim was denied, contact us before you accept that answer.
Step 6
Replacement by Our In-House Crew
Once your claim is approved, our own trained crew handles the full installation – no subcontracting. Quality materials, proper underlayment, flashing addressed at every penetration, ventilation confirmed. We run magnetic sweepers across your driveway and yard before we leave, and Edwin personally does a final walkthrough with you when the work is complete.
Why Austin Homeowners Choose Altitude Roofing for Insurance Claims
GAF Master Elite Certified
Fewer than 2% of roofing contractors in the U.S. earn this designation. The detailed, photo-documented reports we produce carry weight with adjusters that non-certified contractors cannot match.
We Meet Your Adjuster On-Site
Most contractors hand you a report and leave. We show up to the adjuster meeting and walk them through every damage point to make sure nothing gets missed and nothing is undervalued
We Write Appeals When Claims Are Underpaid
If your settlement does not reflect the full scope of work required, we do not accept it. We prepare supplement documentation and have helped Austin homeowners reverse partial settlements to full coverage.
Denied Claims Are Not Final
We have overturned claims denied multiple times. If your damage is real and your insurer said no, call us before you accept that answer.
20+ Years in Central Texas
We know the insurance carriers active in this market, how they assess claims, and what documentation they require. That experience produces different outcomes.
Family-Owned and Accountable
Edwin personally handles claim advocacy for every customer. You work with the owner from the first call through the final walkthrough - not a call center or a project manager you never meet.
160+ Five-Star Google Reviews
The majority reference insurance claims specifically. "Edwin guided us through the process, showed up when he said he would, and the work was done right" - that is the consistent pattern.
No Upfront Cost
Free inspection. Free damage documentation. You only pay your deductible when your claim is approved and your installation is scheduled.
Roofing Insurance Claims - Frequently Asked Questions
Will my homeowner's insurance pay for a new roof?
If your roof was damaged by a covered event – hail, wind, fallen trees, or storm – your policy likely covers repair or full replacement, minus your deductible. The key is documenting the damage properly and filing before your policy’s deadline. We inspect your roof for free and tell you honestly whether your damage warrants a claim.
My insurance said I should get three estimates! I want an estimate!
Really… Why? As consumers we are programmed from a young age to be thrifty and bargain shoppers. Walmart was built on the idea of delivering cheap goods at a low price, and was successful because everyone would prefer to pay less. This includes your insurance company, too. Despite the kind commercials you see on TV to attract your premiums, at the end of the day they are a for profit business. If they can avoid paying a claim, or underpay it, it equates to hundreds of millions of dollars in profits per year! Simply knowing your rights under your policy will save you a lot of time and needless errand running while trying to find the cheapest guy in town to save them a few bucks. If the insurance is paying the bill, the last thing you should be looking for is the cheapest guy in town. You should want the best job done, not someone cutting corners in order to come in as the lowest bidder. You simply need to find a contractor you feel comfortable who has a proven track record of performing high quality work and have them bill for only the work necessarily performed in order to restore your property to a pre-loss condition – as promised in your insurance policy. You have the right to have the work performed by the contractor of “your” choosing, and all contractors are not created equal. Your only out of pocket expense (your deductible) will remain the same regardless of who you hire and what they charge for the repairs. Therefore, if you hire a Chuck in a Truck who is $1,000 cheaper than the best guy in town, you just get $1,000 less of a roof but your cost is the same. In summary you should choose a contractor for your claim based on other factors such as warranty, service, track record and quality rather than price. Simply ask your insurance company if you have the right to pick your own contractor or not. When they say “yes, but you should get a bunch of estimates”, simply ask them… “why, if I’ve chosen my own contractor already?”
"But I've already paid my deductible!" What is a DEDUCTIBLE?
As the concept of how a deductible works is as simple as how the word translates so directly to its meaning, about 8% of homeowners still never understand the concept of their deductible. A deductible is simply the portion YOU are responsible for paying out of pocket on your claim. Rather than sending your insurance company a check for your deductible, and then them sending you back a check for the total costs of the repairs, they simply “deduct” it out. This means if your contractor and your insurance company agree the repairs should cost $20,000.00, and you have a $3,000.00 deductible, they will only send you $17,000.00. When you pay your contractor your deductible plus the money your insurance company sent you, it should add up to the price they both agreed the work should cost. In laymen’s terms, if Jonny (the insured) wanted to buy a candy bar that cost one dollar, and Frankie (insurance company) agreed to pay for it less Jonny’s five cent deductible, Frankie would hand Jonny ninety five cents. Since the candy bar still costs a dollar, Jonny would have to find a nickel in his pocket to go with the ninety five cents Frankie gave him.
My roof insurance claim was denied. What can I do?
Call us before you accept the denial. A denial does not always mean the damage is not covered. In many cases it means the documentation was not thorough enough for the adjuster to approve it. We review the denial, rebuild the damage case if needed, and work through the appeals process on your behalf. We have overturned claims denied multiple times for Austin homeowners.
What is "recoverable depreciation"? (RD)?
If you have a replacement cost policy, recoverable depreciation will most likely still be withheld to ensure you get the work done. It is released once your contractor submits an invoice to your insurance company. Unlike an ACV policy where you can never recover the depreciation, in an RCV policy the depreciation monies are “recoverable”.
What is an "Actual Cash Value" policy? ACV Policy?
An “actual cash value” policy or ACV policy, simply means you are only paid on the actual cash value of your property at the time it was damaged. Example: A roof is 15 years old. Brand new it cost 30K, and had a life expectancy of 30 years. The insurance company would depreciate its value by about 50%, thus only paying you around 15K for your claim, less your deductible. The tragedy of this story is that you were doomed the moment you signed that policy. While the lure of a cheaper policy sounds intriguing, in the event you file a claim you will never be made whole. The moral of this story is to never do an ACV policy!
depreciation monies are “recoverable”.
What is a "Replacement Cost policy"? RCV policy?
A “replacement cost policy” means your insurance policy covers the “replacement cost value” (RCV) of the repairs – less your deductible. A common misconception is that homeowners will be paid the full replacement cost in the first check. As mentioned in #3 “recoverable depreciation” has been withheld to make sure you get the work done. As one check will come later plus any supplemental invoices. (See recoverable depreciation.)
Schemes, scams and profit sharing. May I profit off my claim?
No! That’s insurance fraud. Your insurance company only owes to make you whole, less your deductible. It’s not designed to be a windfall. The main mechanism in place to prevent “rebating” insurance fraud is “recoverable depreciation” (RD). This means that a portion of the total funds will be held back until your largest contractor submits a final invoice to the insurance company. At that time they will generally release the rest of the funds and usually any supplements your contractor has submitted. No reputable contractor will rebate your deductible, as it is illegal to do so. Your goal should never be to find a contractor who will do the work for under market price in order to eat your deductible or share the profit from the work they have done, but rather to do the best job they can at the cost of the insurance company without you having to pay anymore than your deductible.
What if my insurance only paid for part of the replacement?
This is an underpaid settlement – more common than most homeowners realize. Adjusters sometimes miss secondary damage, exclude code-required upgrades, or apply depreciation incorrectly. We review your settlement against the full scope of work and prepare supplement documentation when the numbers do not add up. We have helped Austin homeowners reverse partial settlements to full coverage.
How long do I have to file a roof insurance claim in Texas?
Most Texas policies require claims to be filed within one year of the storm event, though some carriers have shorter windows. Do not wait. Storm damage documented promptly produces stronger claims. If you experienced a hail event or severe weather, call for an inspection within a few weeks – even if visible damage is not obvious from the ground.
Can I choose my own roofing contractor?
Yes. Under Texas law you have the right to hire the licensed contractor of your choice. Your insurance company cannot require you to use a preferred vendor. Your deductible remains the same regardless of which contractor you hire — so choose based on certification, experience, and documented results, not just price.
Will my insurance go up if I file a claim?
In most cases, not on its own. Weather-related claims in Texas are generally classified as Acts of God. It does not count on your insurance like smoking in bed or allowing a faucet to flood the house would. Your insurance is going to go up regardless if you file a claim or not if you are in a storm damaged area, because many others did.
Lions, tigers and insurance adjusters, OH MY!
There are three main types of insurance adjusters: Independents, staff and public adjusters. In a catastrophe you will most likely get an independent adjuster. Their firm gets contracted by the insurance company to adjust claims when there is a high volume and they come from out of state to work a couple months. They take what the insurance companies’ perimeters are for paying out and base their conclusions on that. While some insurance companies will go off a third party opinion or pay even on minor damage, other insurance companies may have it set to mission impossible. The staff adjuster and desk adjuster on the other hand work directly for the insurance company as an employee. The average turn over for a staff adjuster is currently only about 8 months, which means that although they are negotiating down millions of dollars in homeowners claims they have little experience usually. Most staff adjusters tend to pay substantially less than independent adjusters. The public adjusters on the other hand work for the homeowner, not the insurance company, or as a third party employed by the insurance company. Their goal is to protect the homeowner and interpret their policy coverage to determine what is rightfully due in order to collect a 10% fee off the total claim. If you feel your insurance adjuster is not giving you a fair shake you can always ask to speak to their manager. If that doesn’t resolve it you can file a complaint on their license with the Texas Department of Insurance.
Serving Austin and Central Texas - 20 Communities
Altitude Roofing is headquartered in the Belterra Village area of Southwest Austin (78737). We serve homeowners across 20 communities in the greater Austin metro and Central Texas, and can typically schedule an inspection within one to two business days.
Storm Damage?
Do Not Wait - File Before Your Deadline
Texas insurance policies typically require claims to be filed within one year of the storm event. Every month you wait is a month closer to losing your coverage window – and paying for a full roof replacement entirely out of pocket.
We offer free, no-obligation roof inspections for Austin and Central Texas homeowners. If your roof has hail or storm damage, we will document it thoroughly, walk you through the claim process step by step, meet your adjuster on-site, and stay with you through approval. If your claim has already been denied or underpaid, call us before you accept that answer.
Altitude Roofing. Family owned. GAF Master Elite certified. Serving Central Texas for over 20 years.