A roofing crew finishes a repair, but several weeks later the customer calls about water stains on the ceiling. The owner must investigate the damage and decide whether to notify the insurer.
Roofing insurance claims can involve property damage, injuries, stolen equipment, or problems discovered after a job is complete. If an incident may lead to a claim, document it and notify the appropriate insurer promptly. Here’s how to report a loss, check coverage, and handle a dispute.
What Is a Roofing Insurance Claim?
For a roofing business, an insurance claim is a request for an insurer to respond to a loss or allegation under a policy the business carries. Sometimes the contractor seeks payment for its own damaged property. A customer may also allege that the roofer caused injury or damage and seek payment.
This is different from a homeowner’s storm-damage claim. A roofing contractor insurance program protects the business rather than replacing the property owner’s homeowners policy. The property owner generally reports hail damage under their own property insurance. A roofer can inspect the damage and provide a repair estimate, but the homeowner’s claim is separate from the contractor’s business insurance.
Which Insurance Covers Common Roofing Claims?
There is no single policy that addresses every loss a roofing company may face. Roofing businesses may need several policies.
| Roofing Incident | Policy to Review | What to Know |
| Falling debris breaks a customer’s window | General liability | May respond to covered damage to someone else’s property. |
| An employee falls and needs medical care | Workers’ compensation | May pay benefits for an eligible work-related injury, subject to state law and policy terms. |
| A company truck strikes another vehicle | Commercial auto | Liability coverage may respond; damage to the work truck generally needs applicable physical damage coverage. |
| Nail guns are stolen from a jobsite trailer | Tools and equipment (inland marine) | Coverage depends on listed property, theft conditions, limits, and deductibles. |
| Wind damages insured materials on an unfinished project | Builder’s risk | May apply if the project and affected property are insured and the cause is covered. |
| Water damage appears after a completed installation | General liability, including completed operations | Resulting property damage may qualify, but fixing the defective roofing work itself is often excluded. |
Start by checking the policy for the kind of loss involved, not just its name. General liability insurance addresses covered third-party losses, whereas workers’ compensation insurance addresses eligible employee injuries. An umbrella or excess policy may provide additional limits for some covered liability claims, but it does not automatically remove underlying exclusions.
How to File Roofing Insurance Claims Step by Step
Step 1. Make the Site Safe and Limit Further Damage
If anyone is hurt, get medical help first. Stop unsafe work, block off dangerous areas, and make sure nobody else is at risk. Then take reasonable steps to keep the damage from spreading.
For instance, if rain starts coming through an exposed roof, your crew may need to put up a temporary cover. Only do this when it’s safe, and take photos of the repairs. Keep receipts for materials and labor, along with any damaged parts the insurer may want to inspect, unless they’re unsafe to leave in place.
Step 2. Document the Incident and Gather Records
Write down the date, time, location, weather, and names of everyone present. Include what your crew was working on when the incident happened. Take photos from several angles, both close-up and wide shots, and keep the original files even if the customer has sent pictures.
Next, gather the paperwork related to the job so the adjuster can see what happened and what work was involved.
- Signed contracts, work details, and change orders.
- Photos from before, during, and after the roofing job.
- Crew logs, subcontractor records, and witness contacts.
- Material specifications, inspection reports, and permits.
- Repair estimates, invoices, receipts, and customer messages.
When describing the damage, stick to what you saw. For example, you can report water near a skylight after heavy rain without claiming the skylight caused the leak.
Step 3. Notify ACI and the Insurance Carrier
Report the incident to your insurance agent and carrier promptly, even if you’re still unsure who caused the damage. You can provide missing details later. ACI’s claims submission guide recommends reporting incidents within 24 hours, although this isn’t a nationwide deadline. Your policy and state may have their own requirements.
Be ready to share your policy number, what happened, and who was involved. Forward any legal notices or requests for payment to the insurer. The Insurance Information Institute recommends reporting potential liability claims before they lead to lawsuits. Don’t agree to pay for the damage or settle the matter before the insurer has reviewed it.
A serious employee injury may also need to be reported to workplace safety authorities. Under federal OSHA rules, employers have eight hours to report a work-related death and 24 hours to report a qualifying inpatient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye. State reporting requirements may also apply.
Step 4. Submit the Claim Forms and Supporting Evidence
Depending on the incident, your insurer may request a claim form, photos, repair estimates, an incident report, or injury records. Provide the documents they ask for and save copies. If you’re still waiting to confirm certain details, let the insurer know.
The property owner or general contractor might request a certificate of insurance as well. This confirms that a policy was issued for the dates shown, but it doesn’t prove the damage is covered. A certificate also doesn’t replace filing a claim.
Step 5. Work With the Adjuster
Once an adjuster is assigned, they may inspect the damaged area, speak with witnesses, and check your insurance policy. Make the site available when appropriate and explain what happened as accurately as you can. If you don’t know an answer, say so rather than guessing.
Write down the dates of calls, emails, document requests, and temporary repairs. You should also have the adjuster’s contact information and know whether any paperwork is missing. Send any legal documents you receive directly to the insurer.
Step 6. Review the Insurer’s Decision
After reviewing the evidence, the insurer may approve or deny the claim, or continue investigating. What it decides will depend on the circumstances, your policy’s coverage, and any limits, deductibles, or retentions that apply.
Ask for a written explanation if the decision isn’t clear. Check it against your policy and the records you submitted to see how the insurer reached its conclusion. Keep in mind that filing a claim doesn’t guarantee payment.
Three Roofing Claim Scenarios That Need Careful Review
Water Enters an Open Roof During Installation
A roofing crew removes the old shingles and puts a temporary cover over the exposed area before heading home. That night, heavy rain gets through, leaving the ceiling inside the house damaged. The homeowner wants the roofing company to pay for the repairs.
The contractor should contact its liability insurer and provide photos showing the roof opening, temporary cover, and weather conditions. Some policies limit coverage for damage caused by water entering an open roof, especially if certain precautions weren’t taken. The insurer will review the policy terms to see whether the claim qualifies for coverage.
A Roof Leaks Months After the Job Is Finished
A homeowner spots water stains on the ceiling four months after getting a new roof. When someone inspects it, they find that the flashing may have been installed incorrectly, allowing rainwater to seep inside.
General liability insurance may pay for the resulting property damage through completed operations coverage. But repairing or replacing the faulty flashing or roofing work itself is often excluded. The California Department of Insurance explains how these expenses are treated differently. The insurer will also look at when the damage occurred and which policy was active.
A Subcontractor Damages a Customer’s Property
A subcontractor working on a roof accidentally drops a tool and breaks the homeowner’s skylight. The homeowner holds the roofing company responsible because that’s who they signed the contract with, even though the damage was caused by another crew.
In this situation, the roofing company should contact the insurers involved and collect the subcontract, insurance certificates, and any additional insured endorsements. Responsibility and coverage will depend on the contract, the policies, and the circumstances of the accident. Simply having proof of the subcontractor’s insurance doesn’t mean the claim will be covered.
Why Roofing Insurance Claims Get Delayed or Denied
Missing information can delay a claim, and exclusions can lead to denial. Review these common issues before disputing the decision.
- Late notice: The incident was reported after a policy reporting requirement or without enough detail to investigate.
- Workmanship exclusions: The claim seeks only the cost of correcting faulty roofing, rather than damage to other property.
- Roofing-specific restrictions: The policy excludes certain open-roof exposures, building heights, torch-down work, or unapproved operations.
- Subcontractor conditions: Required contracts, certificates, or endorsements were not obtained or retained.
- Coverage mismatches: A business files under general liability for stolen tools or an employee injury that belongs under a different policy.
Check roofing insurance exclusions before unusual jobs. A policy that accepts shingle repairs may exclude hot work or tall buildings.
What If a Homeowner Wants Help With a Roof Insurance Claim?
When a storm damages a homeowner’s roof, the claim is usually handled through their property insurance. As a roofing contractor, you can inspect the damage, take photos, prepare a detailed repair estimate, and explain the work that needs to be done.
But giving an estimate doesn’t mean you’re allowed to negotiate with the insurer or make decisions about coverage. The rules vary by state. In Texas, for example, state insurance guidance prohibits contractors from acting as public adjusters on claims involving repairs they’re performing. They also can’t offer to waive the homeowner’s insurance deductible.
What Should You Do If the Claim Is Denied?
If your insurer denies a claim, request the decision in writing and find out which part of your policy supports it. The reason could be an exclusion, late reporting, missing paperwork, or a dispute over what caused the damage.
If you have more evidence, submit it and ask the insurer to review the claim again. You can also speak with your agent or claims supervisor, contact your state insurance department, or use the dispute process outlined in your policy. If the dispute involves a large amount of money or legal action, consider speaking with an insurance attorney.
How to Prepare Your Roofing Business Before a Claim
Keep your contracts, jobsite photos, inspection records, and subcontractor insurance documents in one place, sorted by project address. Make sure someone on your team is responsible for recording incidents and contacting the insurer, particularly if you have several crews working on different jobs.
It’s also worth checking your insurance whenever you take on different types of work. Larger commercial jobs, taller buildings, new subcontractors, or torch-applied roofing may require changes to your coverage.
Roofing Insurance Claims FAQs
Does Roofing Insurance Cover Leaks After Installation?
If a roof starts leaking after installation, general liability insurance may pay for the damage it causes to other property, depending on the policy’s completed operations coverage. However, the cost of fixing the faulty roofing work itself is often excluded.
How Long Does a Roofing Insurance Claim Take?
Some claims are settled relatively quickly, especially when the damage is clear and there’s no disagreement over responsibility. Others take longer if several insurers are involved, someone disputes who’s at fault, or the case goes to court. State claims-handling rules can also affect the timeline.
Will Filing a Claim Increase My Roofing Insurance Premium?
Filing a claim doesn’t automatically mean you’ll pay more for insurance. When it’s time to renew, the insurer may look at your claims history, what happened, your safety record, and the type of roofing jobs you take on before setting your premium or coverage terms.
Can a Roofer File a Homeowner’s Storm-Damage Insurance Claim?
Homeowners usually need to file storm-damage claims through their own property insurance. As a roofer, you can help by providing photos of the damage and estimates for the repairs. Be careful about negotiating with the insurer on the homeowner’s behalf, though, since some states restrict this type of work.
Review Your Roofing Insurance Before the Next Claim
Knowing what your roofing insurance covers can save you from surprises when something goes wrong on a job. Affordable Contractors Insurance helps roofing businesses explore coverage options based on the work they do and the requirements of their projects. You can request a roofing insurance quote to find out what options are available for your business.
