Nashville RoofingInsurance claim
Roof insurance claim in Tennessee: the steps and your rights
Storm hit the roof and you’re about to call the insurer? Call us too, and a licensed roofer documents the damage for your claim.
A licensed roofing pro answers 24/7.
Roof insurance claim in Tennessee: the state’s steps
- Call your insurer or agent as soon as you can, with your policy number. Your policy may set a time limit.
- Photograph or film the damage before anything is moved or fixed.
- Stop further damage with a tarp or a temporary repair, and keep the receipts.
- Wait on permanent repairs until the adjuster has inspected and you agree on the cost.
- Ask the adjuster for an itemized explanation of the settlement offer.
These come from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI claim tips). Keep a note of every call: the name, the day and what was said. The roofer we send photographs and lists the damage, which is what the adjuster works from.
What a standard policy covers on a roof
| Usually covered | Usually not covered |
|---|---|
| Wind and wind-driven rain | Water inside with no damage to the roof or walls |
| Trees and other objects that fall on the house | Flood |
| Collapse under the weight of ice or snow | Removing a fallen tree that missed the house |
From the state’s storm guidance (TDCI storm tips). Hail is storm damage under most policies too. Your own policy and deductible decide the rest, so read the declarations page or ask your agent.
Your right to cancel a roofing contract
Tennessee has a law just for roof jobs paid by insurance (Tenn. Code §§ 62-6-601 to 606). Before you sign, the roofer must give you in writing:
- Its mailing address, phone and any contractor, home improvement or public adjuster license number.
- A detailed list of the damage and repairs the contract covers.
- A bold notice that you may cancel, and a detachable Notice of Cancellation form.
If your insurer says in writing that all or part of the claim is not covered, you may cancel before midnight on the third business day after that notice. Until the insurer confirms coverage or those three days pass, the roofer cannot ask you to pay, except for emergency repairs you agreed to in writing. After you cancel, any payments come back within ten business days.
Roofers, door-knockers and public adjusters
A roofer may not act or present itself as your public adjuster unless it is licensed as one (§ 62-6-605). The state also warns about crews selling storm repairs door to door, and Tennessee caps a home improvement deposit at one third of the price (TDCI).
Check any roofer’s license on the Tennessee license lookup, and see how to pick a roofing company.
If the claim is denied
Ask the insurer for the reason in writing. When a claim on a Tennessee policy is turned down, the state insurance department can mediate with the company: call 615-741-2218 or 1-800-342-4029, or file a complaint online.
For the storm behind the claim, see the hail and storm record by county. If water is still coming in, start with emergency roof repair.
Roofing questions, answered
How do I file a roof insurance claim in Tennessee?
Call your insurer or agent as soon as you can, photograph the damage, cover any opening, and keep notes of every call. Hold permanent repairs until the adjuster has seen the roof.
Can I cancel a roofing contract if insurance denies the claim?
Yes. If your insurer tells you in writing that all or part of the claim is not covered, you can cancel a roofing contract tied to that claim before midnight on the third business day after you get the notice. Send a signed, dated note to the roofer’s address or email on the contract.
Can a roofer talk to my insurance company for me?
A roofer can document the damage and meet the adjuster. In Tennessee a roofer may not act or present itself as your public adjuster unless it holds a public adjuster license.
What if my roof claim is denied?
Ask the insurer for the reason in writing. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance can mediate a denied claim on a Tennessee policy: call 615-741-2218 or 1-800-342-4029, or file online.
Will a claim cover an old roof?
It depends on the cause and your policy, not age alone. Wind and hail damage are covered under most standard policies. A licensed roofer can tell you whether the damage is worth a claim before you file.
Get the damage on record
Adjusters go by what is written down. Call now, and a licensed roofer photographs and lists the damage before you file.
Call before you file(855) 591-7129