How to Use Your Policy for Roof Claims — roof insurance Dallas
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- 17 hours ago
- 6 min read
A hailstorm rolls over North Texas. The next morning you see granule piles at downspouts, a small ceiling ring near the bath fan, and dents on the downspout elbow. You’ve got insurance—but what does it really cover, and what do you do first?
We’re REC Roofing, serving DFW and East Texas with free inspections, a licensed insurance adjuster on staff, and a calm, photo-documented process. Below is a plain-English guide to the parts of a home policy that matter most for roof damage. We’ll keep it neutral and factual. This article is general information, not legal advice.
What matters most in a Texas home policy (the short list)
Deductible type and amount (often a separate wind/hail deductible in Texas).
How your roof is paid: ACV (actual cash value) vs. RCV (replacement cost value).
Exclusions and endorsements that affect roofs: cosmetic damage, matching, roof payment schedule, and Ordinance or Law (code) coverage.
Your duties after a loss: protect the home, document, report in a reasonable time, and keep receipts.
Claim sequence: inspection → estimate/scope → temporary dry-in (if needed) → permanent work → final paperwork.
We’ll unpack each in simple terms below.
Deductibles 101 (and why wind/hail is different)
Most Texas homeowners policies use a percentage-based wind/hail deductible (commonly shown as a percent of your Coverage A—Dwelling). That’s separate from your all-perils deductible. A few key points:
The wind/hail deductible applies to covered wind or hail roof damage.
It’s your out-of-pocket portion. In Texas, contractors can’t legally waive your deductible; rebates or “we’ll eat it” discounts aren’t allowed.
If a repair is below your deductible, you might choose to handle it without filing a claim. We’ll show you photos and a written repair estimate so you can decide.
Practical tip: Keep your declarations page handy. It lists your deductible(s) and is the fastest way to see what you’re working with.
ACV vs. RCV (how the roof is actually paid)
RCV (Replacement Cost Value):
Pays to replace with like kind and quality, subject to policy terms.
Often issued in two steps: initial payment (less depreciation) and recoverable depreciation after you show proof the work was completed.
ACV (Actual Cash Value):
Pays depreciated value of the roof—age and condition reduce the payout.
There may be no second check to “recover” depreciation.
Texas reality: Some policies add roof payment schedules that change how depreciation is calculated or cap payouts based on age or material. We’ll read your declarations page with you and point out anything that affects the math. We don’t give legal advice or decide coverage—we just explain what the roof needs and provide documentation.
CTA — Free Local Inspection
Have questions about roof insurance in Dallas? Talk to a local pro today. Call 945-REC-7777 or Schedule your free inspection →.
Common roof-related endorsements & exclusions
Cosmetic damage exclusion (often for metal roofs): Dents without functional failure may be excluded. We document whether vents, seams, or fasteners are compromised—not just how it looks.
Matching limitations: Policies might not guarantee a perfect color match. If your shingle is discontinued, we’ll show options and explain how we handle transitions cleanly.
Ordinance or Law (code) coverage: Helps when current building codes require upgrades (e.g., kick-out flashing, high-temp underlayment in certain areas, or ventilation corrections).
Roof payment schedule / age-based: Reduces payout as the roof ages. It’s important to know this upfront.
Your responsibilities after a storm (easy checklist)
Protect the home. If water is coming in, request same-day temporary dry-in/tarping. Keep receipts.
Document. Take wide shots and close-ups of granule piles, soft-metal dents (downspouts, box vents), and any ceiling rings. Note the date/time.
Call for a professional inspection. We map the roof slope by slope, photograph hail bruises vs. heat blisters, check ridge caps, valleys, pipe-boot collars, box/turtle vents, and wall flashing (Texas clay soils shift and open step-flashing gaps).
Decide on next steps. If the roof needs work and you’re considering a claim, we can coordinate the carrier’s roof inspection so everyone sees the same conditions.
We answer build questions and provide a clear scope. You decide whether to file.
The claim sequence (roof-specific, neutral)
Inspection & scope: We take labeled photos and outline the needed work (repair or replacement), including underlayment, valleys, ridge caps, and any decking patches if nails are pulling through older 3/8"–1/2" sheathing.
Carrier visit: If you file, an adjuster inspects. On request, we’re there to answer construction questions and point out what we found.
Estimate & approval: The carrier issues an estimate based on policy terms (ACV/RCV, endorsements, deductibles).
Temporary dry-in (if needed): Stops active water while paperwork finishes.
Work performed: We follow the agreed scope; if hidden damage appears (e.g., soft decking at a valley), we document and communicate promptly.
Final paperwork: If your policy is RCV, you may submit final invoices/photos to recover depreciation per policy rules.
We stay in our lane: assist with documentation, coordinate inspections, and answer roof questions. We don’t negotiate claims or offer legal advice.
When a repair makes sense vs. when replacement is smarter
Repair is reasonable when:
The issue is localized—a cracked pipe-boot collar, a short ridge-cap run, or a valley detail at one corner.
Shingles still have healthy granules and seals that hold.
Replacement talk makes sense when:
Hail bruises are uniform across slopes (not clustered).
Ridge caps are splitting across multiple hips, or seals are tired across the field.
You’ve had repeat leaks from different spots (flashing, then boot, then valley).
We’ll give you photos and a written plan either way.
Five policy myths we hear every storm season
“If there’s no interior leak, there’s no damage.”Plenty of hail damage is functional at the roof level (vent seams, torn underlayment, split caps) before interiors show it.
“Contractors can waive my deductible.”Not in Texas. You’re expected to pay your deductible; rebates and kickbacks are off-limits.
“Class 4 shingles mean I’ll never have roof damage again.”They’re tougher, not invincible. Vents, flashing, and ridge caps still take hits.
“Matching is guaranteed.”Many policies don’t promise perfect shingle color matches. We’ll show tasteful transition options if needed.
“Any dented metal equals a new roof.”Dents on soft metals are clues. The decision comes from the whole system: shingle field, seams, penetrations, and underlayment.
What we check (roof inspection Dallas) so your paperwork matches the house
Hail bruises vs. blisters: we touch and document the difference.
Ridge caps/hips: look for splits, lifted nails, and heat-brittle tabs.
Valleys: open metal vs. woven; check for grooved troughs and cut-throughs.
Flashing: sidewalls and chimneys where clay-soil movement opens gaps; confirm kick-out flashing.
Penetrations: pipe-boot collars (common split on the back side), box/turtle vents (hail-dimpled seams), turbines (bent fins/rivets).
Underlayment & decking: torn laps, or nail pull-through on older decking that changes the repair plan.
Ventilation balance: clear soffit intake + right-sized exhaust to keep seals tacky in August.
You’ll get a photo set labeled by slope and a scope you can read.
One helpful state resource
For plain-language guidance on deductibles, documentation, and working with contractors, see the Texas Department of Insurance homeowner resources (consumer section on their site). This is a good primer before storm season.
CTA — Free Local Inspection
Have questions about roof insurance in Dallas? Talk to a local pro today. Call 945-REC-7777 or Schedule your free inspection →.
Again: This is general information, not legal advice.
FAQ - Roof Insurance Dallas
What’s the difference between ACV and RCV for roofs?ACV pays the depreciated value. RCV pays replacement cost (often in two steps) if your policy provides it. Your declarations page and endorsements tell which you have.
Do I have to pay my deductible in Texas?Yes—deductibles are your share of covered repairs. Texas prohibits contractors from rebating or “waiving” them. Keep proof of payment with your claim records.
Should I file a claim if the repair is small?If the repair is likely below your deductible, some owners handle it out of pocket. We’ll provide photos and a written estimate so you can decide with your agent.
How fast do I need to report a roof claim?Policies expect prompt notice. Report as soon as practical after you confirm damage, and keep a simple timeline of dates, photos, and receipts.
What if my shingles are discontinued?Policies may not guarantee perfect matches. We’ll present options: tasteful transitions, full slope changes, or material upgrades—depending on your coverage and goals.
Internal links
Planning a full replacement? /roof-replacement-dallas
Need repair steps in Fort Worth? /roof-repair-fort-worth
East Texas homeowner overview: /roofing-tyler-east-texas
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