For most Garland homeowners, a hailstorm is the first time they've ever filed an insurance claim — and the process feels like it was designed to confuse you. It isn't as bad as it looks. After 30+ years of meeting adjusters on rooftops, here's the whole thing laid out in order, in plain English. One thing before we start: this is general information about how roof claims typically work, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy controls. Every policy is different — read yours, and when in doubt, ask your insurer directly.
Step 1: Document everything, right away
Before you touch the phone, build your record. Photograph everything from the ground: dented gutters, downspouts, window screens, the AC unit, granules piled below downspouts, any visible shingle damage. Note the date and rough time of the storm. If water got inside, photograph the ceiling stains and keep receipts for any emergency tarping. A free roof inspection at this stage helps enormously — you'll have roof-level photos of the actual damage before anyone else has formed an opinion about it. Our guide to spotting hail damage from the ground covers what to look for.
Step 2: Call your insurance company
Report the damage promptly — most policies require timely notice, and many set deadlines for filing. The claims line will open a claim number and schedule an adjuster. Answer honestly and stick to facts: when the storm hit, what you observed. You don't need to guess at causes or costs; that's what the inspection is for.
Step 3: The adjuster inspection — have your roofer there
The insurance company sends an adjuster to walk your roof and decide what the storm damaged. This is the single most important hour of your claim, and here's the practical tip most homeowners don't hear: have your roofer on the roof at the same time. The adjuster is often inspecting dozens of houses that week. A roofer who has already documented your roof can point to every bruised slope, cracked boot, and dented vent while the adjuster is standing next to it — so nothing gets missed and nothing has to be argued about later from photographs. Meeting adjusters is a normal part of how All Star handles storm damage jobs; we don't charge for it.
Step 4: The scope of loss and your roofer's estimate
If the claim is approved, the insurer issues a "scope of loss" — an itemized list of what they'll pay for: tear-off, shingles, felt, flashing, vents, disposal, and so on. Your roofer reviews it against the actual roof. Scopes are sometimes incomplete — a missed slope, forgotten ridge caps, undercounted layers — and there's a standard supplement process to correct them with documentation. This review is exactly the part reviewers praise Marvin for. Rosita T. put it this way in her five-star review: "He, also, gave me information about the insurance process that I was completely unsure of. I live overseas and he managed to take care of everything from start to end! Cannot thank him enough!"
Step 5: Your deductible
Your deductible is your share of the cost, set by your policy — often a percentage of your home's insured value. You pay it; insurance pays the rest of the approved amount. Be wary of any contractor who offers to "waive" or "absorb" your deductible: under Texas law, homeowners are required to actually pay it, and a roofer willing to fudge that paperwork is showing you exactly how they operate. An honest roofer gives you a real number instead — see our guide to what roof replacement costs in the Garland area.
ACV vs. RCV, explained simply
Two letters on your policy change everything about your payout. RCV (replacement cost value) coverage generally pays what it costs to put a comparable new roof on today. It's typically paid in stages: a first check up front, and the held-back "depreciation" released after the work is completed. ACV (actual cash value) coverage pays only the depreciated value of your old roof — what a 15-year-old roof was "worth," not what a new one costs — which can leave a significant gap for you to cover. Which one you have is stated in your policy; if the declarations page reads like a foreign language, your insurer or agent must explain it when you ask. Ask before storm season, not after.
Step 6: The build
Once the scope is settled, the roof goes on. With All Star's crew, a typical full replacement is torn off, installed, and cleaned up in one day, with a magnetic nail sweep before we leave. William J. described his claim job this way: "His team protected my landscaping and they thoroughly cleaned up after the roof was installed. I recommend All Star Roofing to anyone that needs to have their roof replaced due to hail and wind damage."
The part nobody tells you
The claims process rewards preparation, not aggression. The homeowners who have the smoothest claims are the ones who documented early, had a knowledgeable local roofer at the adjuster meeting, and never had to fight about anything because the evidence was already on the table. That preparation is free. The All Star Roof Checkup gives you a point-by-point inspection with a photo report you keep — whether or not you ever file a claim, and whether or not you ever hire us. Insurance help is the thing our 200+ five-star reviews mention most, and it starts with that first free look. We serve Garland and nearby communities like Mesquite and Wylie, every day 6 AM to 10 PM. Call (214) 681-8863.
Insurance claim questions
Should my roofer be there when the insurance adjuster inspects my roof?
It's a good idea. The adjuster walks the roof once, and anything they miss may not make it into the scope of loss. A roofer who has already documented the damage can point out every affected slope, vent, and flashing while the adjuster is standing right there. All Star Roofing meets adjusters on customers' roofs as a normal part of the job.
What is the difference between ACV and RCV on a roof claim?
RCV (replacement cost value) coverage generally pays what it costs to replace your roof today, usually issued in stages, minus your deductible. ACV (actual cash value) coverage pays the depreciated value of your old roof — replacement cost minus wear from age — which can be far less. Your own policy's declarations page says which one you have; ask your insurer if you're not sure.
Do I have to pay my deductible on a roof insurance claim in Texas?
Yes. Your deductible is your share of the loss under your policy, and Texas law requires homeowners to actually pay it — a contractor offering to "waive" or "eat" your deductible is breaking the law and telling you something about how they do business. A trustworthy roofer builds an honest scope of work instead.