Step 1: Document the Damage (Before Anything Else)
- ✓Photograph everything: wide shots of the roof, close-ups of damage, interior stains, damaged belongings
- ✓Video walkthrough with narration and timestamps
- ✓Save fallen shingles/debris as physical evidence
- ✓Note the date and cause (e.g., "Tropical Storm Rachel, October 11–12, 2026")
Insurance adjusters decide based on evidence. No photos = weak claim.
Step 2: Prevent Further Damage (You're Required To)
Your policy requires you to mitigate — meaning tarp the roof, move belongings, stop active leaks. Keep every receipt. Emergency mitigation costs are reimbursable.
What NOT to do: don't start permanent repairs before the adjuster visits (unless it's a true emergency — then document obsessively).
Step 3: Get a Professional Roof Inspection First
Have a roofer inspect and document the damage *before* the adjuster arrives. Why? The adjuster works for the insurance company. Your roofer works for you. Our inspection reports give you:
- ✓Itemized damage with photos
- ✓Repair vs. replacement recommendation
- ✓Fair market pricing for the work
When the adjuster says "that's just wear and tear," you'll have professional documentation saying otherwise. Our post-storm inspections are free — and we meet adjusters on-site regularly.
Step 4: File the Claim Promptly
Call your insurer's claims line (number is on your policy). You'll need:
- ✓Policy number
- ✓Date of loss
- ✓Description of damage
- ✓The documentation from Steps 1–3
Step 5: Meet the Adjuster (With Your Roofer Present)
You have the right to have your contractor present during the adjuster's inspection. Do it. We speak their language, point out damage they might "miss," and ensure the scope is complete.
Common adjuster tactics to watch for:
- ✓"That's pre-existing wear" → Your roofer's report distinguishes storm damage from age
- ✓Partial scope → They approve 10 shingles when the whole slope needs work for a watertight result
- ✓Depreciation games → California law has specific rules on recoverable depreciation; know your policy type (ACV vs. replacement cost)
Step 6: Review the Settlement Offer Carefully
The first offer is frequently low. Compare it against your roofer's estimate line by line. If it's short:
- ✓Request a re-inspection with your roofer present
- ✓Submit supplemental documentation
- ✓Invoke the appraisal clause in your policy if needed
Step 7: Get the Work Done, Keep Records
Once approved, hire your roofer (not the insurer's "preferred" contractor — that's your choice in California). Keep all invoices; if you have replacement-cost coverage, you'll recover depreciation after work is complete.
Mistakes That Kill Claims
- ✓Waiting too long — delays = "how do we know the storm caused this?"
- ✓No documentation — verbal descriptions don't win disputes
- ✓Meeting the adjuster alone — you don't know what you don't know
- ✓Accepting the first offer blindly — it's negotiable
- ✓Hiring a storm chaser — out-of-town "roofers" who knock after storms disappear with deposits. (How to spot them.)
ACV vs. Replacement Cost: Know Your Policy
- ✓ACV (Actual Cash Value): Pays depreciated value. A 15-year-old roof gets 15-years-depreciated payout — you cover the gap.
- ✓Replacement Cost: Pays full replacement cost (minus deductible). Far better. Check which you have *before* you need it.