Back to Blog Insurance Insurance Denied Your Roof Claim? Here's What Texas Homeowners Can Do
Mark WhiteMarch 8, 202610 min read You filed a roof claim. An adjuster came out, spent 20 minutes on your roof, and sent you a letter: denied. Or worse. 'cosmetic damage only, not covered.' It feels like the end of the road. It's not.
I'm not an insurance attorney, and this isn't legal advice. But after 25 years of working alongside the insurance process in Texas, I've seen these tools work for homeowners. Here are your options.
Option 1: Request a Reinspection
You have the right to request a second inspection, and you should request that your roofer be present. Having a professional roofer on the roof with the adjuster, pointing out specific damage and using industry terminology, changes the dynamic significantly.
Insurance adjusters are generalists who inspect roofs, foundations, plumbing, and everything else. A dedicated roofer sees damage patterns that generalists miss. We've attended hundreds of reinspections at Legacy, and a significant percentage result in approvals that were initially denied.
Option 2: Invoke the Appraisal Clause
Almost every Texas homeowner's insurance policy includes an appraisal clause. If you and your insurer disagree on the amount of loss (not whether there IS a loss, that's different), either party can invoke appraisal. Each side hires an appraiser, the two appraisers choose an umpire, and they determine the fair value.
This process costs you appraiser fees ($300-$500 typically) but often results in significantly higher payouts. It's particularly useful when the insurer acknowledged damage but offered a lowball estimate.
Option 3: File a Complaint with TDOI
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDOI) regulates insurance practices in the state. If you believe your claim was handled improperly, you can file a complaint at tdi.texas.gov. The TDOI will review your claim and can order the insurer to reconsider.
This doesn't guarantee a reversal, but insurance companies take TDOI complaints seriously because they affect the company's regulatory standing.
Option 4: Hire a Public Adjuster
A public adjuster works for YOU, not the insurance company. They inspect the damage, prepare a detailed estimate, and negotiate with your insurer on your behalf. They typically charge 10-15% of the claim payout.
Public adjusters are most valuable for complex or high-value claims. For a straightforward single-family roof claim, options 1-3 are usually sufficient. For large or complicated claims, a public adjuster can be worth the fee.
Timeline: How Long Each Option Takes
Reinspection with your roofer: 1-3 weeks, free for most roofers, high success rate if damage exists. Appraisal clause: 4-8 weeks, $300-$500 appraiser fee, high success rate for underpaid claims. TDOI complaint: 4-12 weeks, free, moderate success rate. Public adjuster: 4-12 weeks, 10-15% of claim payout, high success rate for complex claims.
These timelines are based on Legacy's experience attending reinspections and working alongside the claims process in San Antonio. They are general observations, not guarantees.
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Before you pursue any of these options, make sure you have: your denial letter (read it carefully and understand exactly why they denied), photos and videos of all damage, your policy (specifically the 'covered perils' and 'exclusions' sections), the adjuster's report (you have the right to request a copy), and weather data (NOAA and the National Weather Service have records of hail size, wind speeds, and storm paths for your zip code).
If your roofer inspected the roof, they should have documentation. If not, get a free roof inspection from Legacy. We photograph everything and provide a detailed report.
Common Denial Reasons (And How to Fight Each One)
'No damage found': This usually means the adjuster didn't find enough damage to meet your deductible, or they genuinely missed it. Reinspection with your roofer present is the best first step.
'Pre-existing damage / wear and tear': Counter this with dated satellite imagery (Google Earth has historical images), your previous inspection reports, and weather data showing the specific storm event.
'Cosmetic damage only': Some Texas policies have cosmetic damage exclusions for hail. However, if the damage is functional (affects the roof's ability to shed water), it should be covered regardless.
'Roof is too old / depreciation': ACV policies depreciate based on roof age. If your 20-year-old roof gets approved, the payout might only cover 30-40% of replacement cost. The appraisal clause can help if the depreciation calculation seems incorrect.
When to Hire an Attorney
The four options above handle most situations. But consider an insurance attorney if your claim is over $20,000 and was denied without clear cause, the insurer is acting in bad faith (ignoring calls, losing paperwork, unreasonable delays), you've exhausted options 1-3 and believe the denial is wrong, or you have an HO-B policy and the insurer is applying exclusions incorrectly.
Texas has strong policyholder protection laws. Insurance bad faith cases can result in the insurer paying your attorney fees plus penalties. Most insurance attorneys offer free consultations.
FAQ: Insurance Denied Roof Claims in Texas
Q: How long do I have to dispute a denied roof damage claim? In Texas, you generally have 2 years from the date of denial to file a lawsuit. But don't wait. Evidence deteriorates, memories fade, and some policy provisions have shorter internal deadlines.
Q: Can my insurance drop me for filing a claim? Texas law prohibits insurers from non-renewing solely because you filed one weather-related claim. Filing a claim is your right. Don't let fear of cancellation stop you from using the coverage you pay for.
Q: Should I get multiple contractor estimates? Yes. Having 2-3 estimates from contractors licensed in your area strengthens your position, especially for reinspections and appraisals.
Q: What if my roofer and the adjuster disagree on the damage? This is exactly what the appraisal clause is for. When there's a legitimate disagreement on the amount of loss, appraisal is the formal process to resolve it without litigation.
Need help navigating a denied claim? Legacy Home Improvements can attend reinspections and provide documentation. Call (210) 272-7272.
Got a roofing question? Something keeping you up at night? (Besides that mysterious dripping sound?) Email me personally at mwhite@legacytx.com. I read and answer every single one.
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Owner, Legacy Home Improvements · San Antonio since 1999
Mark has been in the roofing business for over 25 years. He personally inspects homes, works with insurance adjusters, and answers every email at mwhite@legacytx.com.
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