Do I have to file a claim after a hailstorm?

No. Most storms do not cause claim-worthy damage. We inspect your roof and explain what we found so you can decide whether a claim is appropriate.

Can you explain my insurance paperwork?

Yes. We can walk you through your carrier’s Summary of Damages or Scope of Loss and explain what each section means from a roofing standpoint.

Do you speak with my insurance company?

No. We do not speak for your carrier. Our role is to inspect your roof, provide documentation, and give you a clear estimate for the work your roof needs.

The Roof Insurance Claim Process — Step-by-Step for Austin Homeowners

Understanding the Process — and Where Zilker Roofing Fits In

If your roof was damaged in a hail or wind storm, the claim process can feel overwhelming. While we don’t file claims or speak to insurers on your behalf, we support you every step of the way after you file.

We inspect your roof before or after your claim is filed
We review the insurance scope (Summary of Damages) once issued
We create our own estimate (scope of work) for you to compare
We document missing items and assist with supplemental requests
We provide the final invoice for recoverable depreciation

Step-by-Step Claim Timeline

We’ve outlined a typical insurance process below — your carrier may vary, but most follow this basic order:

Initial Inspection

What You Do: Call us to inspect your roof What We Do: We assess damage, take photos, and advise if a claim may make sense

Step 1

File Your Claim

What You Do: Contact your insurer to start a claim

Step 2

Adjuster Visit

What You Do: Meet the insurance adjuster or allow access What We Do: We can be present if requested

Step 3

Scope Issued

What You Do: Receive a Summary of Damages from your insurer What We Do: We review the document and prepare a proposal based on their approved work

Step 4

Work Approval

What You Do: Approve our proposal What We Do: We schedule and complete the work using our standardized system

Step 5

Final Steps

What You Do Pay deductible and submit paperwork to insurer What We Do We send final invoice and photos so your insurer can release depreciation

Step 6

What’s Included in the Insurance Scope?

Your insurer’s Summary of Damages typically includes:
Zilker Roofing prepares a parallel estimate for your review — and documents any gaps or missing items.

What Is Recoverable Depreciation?

Most Texas policies are RCV (Replacement Cost Value). That means the carrier:
We help make sure this second payment process is smooth and clearly documented.

Pays ACV (actual cash value) upfront

Holds back recoverable depreciation until work is completed

Issues second check after you submit final invoice and photos

Helpful Texas Claim Notes

A single hail claim won’t raise your premiums — Texas law bars rate increases for claims caused by weather (TDI Bill of Rights)

You are not required to get multiple quotes if working with a licensed contractor

Most claims are priced using Xactimate — a standardized estimating platform

We use that format when preparing our proposal, for easier comparison

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Have Questions About the Process?

We’re happy to review your documents, provide honest feedback, and make sure your home gets restored properly.

FAQs – Claims Process in Austin, TX

Should I file a claim before or after your inspection?

We recommend having us inspect your roof first. We’ll take photos and give you a clear explanation of what we see. You decide if a claim makes sense from there.

What’s a Scope of Loss?

It’s the insurance company’s estimate. It lists every item they’re covering (roof, vents, gutters, etc.) and the dollar amounts. It’s also called a “Summary of Damages.” See: Understanding Your Summary of Damages

Do I have to pay my deductible?

Yes. Texas law requires homeowners to pay their deductible directly. Contractors cannot cover it for you. If they do, your carrier may deny the entire claim.

What happens if the insurance estimate is too low?

We may be able to provide additional documentation (like photos, measurements, or damage notes) that support a supplement request. Ultimately, it’s your carrier’s decision.