General education, not legal advice. We are a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster or a law firm. For legal questions about your claim, talk to a Texas attorney.
Why roof claims get denied or underpaid
Most roof denials come down to cause, timing or policy terms. The insurer may decide the damage is wear and tear rather than storm damage, that it came from an earlier storm, that it was reported too late, or that the policy excludes it. Underpayments usually come from missed items, short measurements or depreciation.
Reasons we see most often on DFW roofs:
| Reason given | What it usually means | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Wear and tear, age or maintenance | The adjuster saw aging, not storm damage | Close-up photos of fresh hail bruises and dented soft metals |
| No storm-related damage found | Hits were missed or judged too light | A slope-by-slope report with marked hits |
| Damage below the deductible | The covered amount came in under your deductible | A full scope that captures every damaged item |
| Late reporting | The insurer questions which storm caused it | Dated photos and the date of loss |
| Policy exclusion or endorsement | For example, a cosmetic hail exclusion or a roof paid at actual cash value | Reading the exact policy language cited |
| Underpaid estimate | Missing items, measurements or code-required work | An itemized scope compared line by line |
Read the letter, then ask for a review
Texas law requires an insurer that rejects a claim to tell you why, in writing. Start there. Find the policy section it cites and read it yourself. Then write back, explain why you disagree, and send evidence the insurer did not have. The Texas Department of Insurance says companies may overlook something and may make adjustments.
Under Insurance Code §542.056, the rejection notice must state the reasons. A strong request for review includes:
- The claim number and the specific items you disagree with.
- Dated photos of the damage, with close-ups and a scale reference.
- Your roofer’s written report and itemized estimate.
- A request for a re-inspection, ideally with your roofer present.
The Texas Department of Insurance’s page for homeowners who disagree with a claim decision lists this as the first step. See our adjuster meeting guide for what to have ready if a second inspection is scheduled.
How the appraisal clause works
Appraisal is a process in many homeowners policies for settling disagreements about the amount of a covered loss. It is not for deciding whether the loss is covered. Each side hires its own appraiser, the two appraisers choose an umpire, and if they cannot agree, the umpire’s decision is binding on both you and the insurer.
What the Texas Department of Insurance says about it, from its home insurance guide and its disagree page:
- Appraisal is for disputes about the amount of your claim.
- You pay for your appraiser and half of the umpire’s costs.
- Your policy sets any deadline for demanding appraisal, so check it.
Appraisal tends to fit a claim where the insurer agrees the roof was damaged by the storm but the two estimates are far apart. If the insurer says the damage is not covered at all, appraisal usually is not the right tool.
Filing a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance
If you believe your insurer treated you unfairly, you can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance. TDI handles complaints about insurance companies, agents and adjusters. It does not regulate roofers; for contractor scams such as deductible-waiver offers, TDI points homeowners to the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508.
How to reach TDI (Get help with an insurance complaint):
- Online: the complaint portal on tdi.texas.gov, under homeowners or renters.
- Phone: the Help Line, 800-252-3439, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.
Include your claim number, the insurer’s letters, your photos and your contractor’s estimate. Keep pursuing the claim with your insurer while the complaint is open.
Public adjuster or attorney?
A public adjuster handles the claim itself: documenting the loss, preparing the estimate and negotiating the settlement with your insurer for a fee. An attorney handles legal disputes: coverage denials, alleged bad faith, deadlines to sue and lawsuits. Both are options the Texas Department of Insurance lists for homeowners who disagree with a decision.
| Public adjuster | Attorney | |
|---|---|---|
| Who they work for | You | You |
| Licensed by | Texas Department of Insurance | Licensed to practice law in Texas |
| Typical role | Prepares and negotiates the claim amount | Advises on legal rights, sends notices, files suit |
| How they are paid | A fee, often a percentage of the settlement; get it in writing | Depends on the agreement; get it in writing |
| Fits best when | The claim is covered but the amount is in dispute | Coverage is denied or the dispute is headed to court |
Before suing over a weather-related claim, Texas Insurance Code §542A.003 generally requires written notice to the insurer at least 61 days before filing. Deadlines to sue come from the law and your policy, so if you are considering legal action, talk to an attorney early. Check any public adjuster’s license with TDI before signing. A roofer cannot fill either role: Texas Insurance Code §4102.163 bars contractors from acting as public adjusters on properties they work on (TDI, Know the law).
How we help when a claim is disputed
Our part is the roofing evidence. We inspect the roof again if needed, photograph and mark the damage, write a report on what we found and why we believe it is storm-related, and build an itemized scope. You send it with your request for review, or give it to your appraiser, public adjuster or attorney.
We will also tell you if we think the insurer got it right. Not every tired roof has storm damage, and an honest second opinion saves you time and money. To get one, book a free inspection or call (817) 754-9484. For what a policy usually covers in the first place, see what homeowners insurance covers on a roof, or return to the roof insurance claim guide.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance, If your insurer isn't paying enough or denies your claim
- Texas Department of Insurance, Home insurance guide
- Texas Department of Insurance, Get help with an insurance complaint
- Texas Department of Insurance, Public insurance adjuster license
- Texas Department of Insurance, Roofing and insurance: Know the law
- Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 542 (Sections 542.056 and 542.059)
- Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 542A (Section 542A.003, pre-suit notice)
- Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 4102 (public adjusters; Section 4102.163)