Guide
How a roof insurance claim works in Knox County
A roof claim runs in eight steps, from the inspection to the last check from your insurer. You file the claim and you own it. A roofer's job is to document the damage, write the scope, meet the adjuster, and explain the paperwork.
The steps, in order
- Inspection. Before you file, get the roof looked at so you know whether there's storm damage worth a claim. Ours is free and you keep the photos.
- Decide. If the damage is small, a repair may cost less than your deductible, and filing would add a claim to your record for nothing.
- File. You call your insurer or file online. It's your claim, in your name.
- Adjuster visit. The insurer sends an adjuster to look at the roof. We meet them on the roof and point to every hit we photographed.
- The scope and the first check. The insurer writes up what it will pay for. On some policies, the first check covers the actual cash value: the cost of the work minus wear on the old roof. Your policy's wording decides this, so read it or ask your agent.
- The build. The roof gets replaced or repaired to the approved scope. Anything extra that comes up gets photographed and sent to the insurer.
- Final invoice. We send the final invoice to you and, if you want, to the insurer.
- The depreciation check. On many policies, the insurer then releases the rest, called recoverable depreciation, once the work is done. That's replacement cost value.
Who does what
You: file the claim, talk to your insurer, sign the contract, and pay your deductible.
Us: document the damage with dated photos, write the scope, meet the adjuster, and explain each letter or estimate as it arrives.
We don't negotiate your claim. In Tennessee, that's the job of a public adjuster who holds a state license (T.C.A. § 62-6-605).
Your right to cancel
If you sign a roofing contract that depends on an insurance claim and your insurer tells you in writing the damage isn't covered, Tennessee lets you cancel until midnight of the third business day after you get that notice (T.C.A. § 62-6-602 and § 62-6-603). Any money you paid, other than for emergency repairs already done, comes back within 10 business days. Read the statutes on Justia.
Red flags after a storm
- Someone wants a signature the same day.
- They offer to cover your deductible, skip it, or pay it back to you.
- They ask you to sign over your insurance check before the work is done.
- They promise the claim will be paid, or say the roof won't cost you anything.
Nobody can promise what your insurer will decide.
What we won't promise
We can't promise your claim gets paid, and we won't. Your insurer decides. What we promise is clear evidence: dated photos of every slope, a written scope, and someone on the roof with your adjuster.
Related questions
After a storm, should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?
We'd get a free inspection first. It tells you whether there's damage worth a claim before anything goes on your record. If there is, you file the claim with your insurer (it's your claim) and we'll document the damage, write the scope, and meet the adjuster on the roof with you. If there isn't, you've lost nothing but an hour.
Will my insurance pay for a replacement roof?
It depends on your policy and on what caused the damage. Insurance generally covers sudden damage, such as hail or wind. It usually leaves out wear and age. Your insurer makes that call. What we can do is give your adjuster clear, dated photos of every damaged area and a written scope, so the decision is made on good evidence.
Who pays the deductible?
You do. Your deductible is your share of the claim, and we never waive it, cover it, or rebate it. If a roofer offers to "take care of your deductible," that's a reason to walk away, because it puts your claim at risk. Some policies carry a separate deductible for wind or hail; check your declarations page so the number isn't a surprise.
Do you work with my insurance company?
We work with whatever company insures your home. We document the damage, write a scope your insurer can read, and meet the adjuster on the roof. We don't negotiate your claim for you; in Tennessee that's the job of a public adjuster who holds a state license. The claim and the decisions stay yours, and we explain each piece of paperwork as it arrives.
What if my claim is denied or only partly paid?
Ask your insurer to put the reasons in writing. Then compare them to the photos. If something was missed, we can re-inspect, take more photos of the specific areas, and help you understand what a re-inspection request should include. Sometimes the denial holds up, and a repair is the right next step.
Can I cancel a roofing contract if my claim is denied?
Yes. Under Tennessee law, if you sign a roofing contract that depends on an insurance claim and your insurer tells you in writing that the damage isn't covered, you can cancel by midnight of the third business day after you get that notice (T.C.A. § 62-6-602 and § 62-6-603). Any payment, other than for emergency repairs already done, comes back to you within 10 business days. Our advice: never waive your deductible, and walk away from any roofer who offers to cover it.
This is general information. It is not legal advice. Last reviewed October 26, 2026.
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