How long do I have to file a roof insurance claim in Texas?
Most Texas homeowners policies allow one to two years from the date of loss, but the exact deadline is set by your policy, so check it. The date of loss is usually the date of the storm, not the date you noticed a leak. It is best to file as soon as possible, because storm damage becomes harder to document as time passes.
Two deadlines apply to a roof claim
The first is the notice requirement in your policy. Policies require prompt notice of a loss and often set an outer limit of one or two years from the date of loss. The second is the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against your insurance company if a claim is mishandled, which is a separate and usually longer period.
Both deadlines generally start on the date of loss, which is the date of the storm. If hail hit your roof in April and the leak first appeared eighteen months later, the date of loss is still that day in April.
Texas also has prompt-payment rules that set how quickly an insurance company must acknowledge, investigate and pay a claim once it has been filed.
Why it is best to file early
Storm damage changes over time. Granules wear away from hail marks, and shingles lifted by wind can reseal flat in the summer heat. Damage that was easy to see right after a storm can be harder to document a year later.
If more storms pass through the area, it becomes harder to show which storm caused the damage. Filing while the dents in gutters and screens still show the hail size makes the claim easier to support.
After a large storm, contractors and adjusters in the area are often booked for months, so getting on the schedule early also helps.
Documentation that helps a claim
Photos of hailstones taken on the day of the storm, ideally next to a coin or ruler, are some of the most useful evidence you can have. Your phone records the date, which helps confirm when and where the hail fell.
Public weather records can also help. NOAA storm reports and radar hail data are searchable by date and location, and adjusters and contractors use them to confirm hail size at an address.
Keep any other records from the day of the storm, such as text messages or photos of your yard. They help establish the date of loss.
What to do if a claim is denied
A denied claim is not always final. Claims are sometimes denied because the first inspection missed damage, and requesting a re-inspection with a contractor present is a common next step.
A re-inspection is most useful when there is more documentation to show, such as test squares on every slope, photos of dented metal and notes on each side of the house.
If you believe your claim is being handled unfairly, you can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance at no cost.
Related Questions
Does filing a claim raise my premium?
Weather claims are usually treated differently from at-fault claims, and hail losses tend to affect rates across a region instead of for one policyholder. Premiums across North Texas have risen because of storm frequency, whether or not a homeowner has filed a claim.
Can I file for a storm from two years ago?
Possibly, depending on the deadline in your policy. Older claims are harder to support because the damage has weathered and later storms may have hit the same roof. Check your policy before assuming it is too late.
What is the deadline if the roof is on a rental property?
Check the specific policy. Landlord and dwelling policies often have different notice requirements from a standard homeowners policy.
