Insurance Guide
How Roofing Insurance Claims Work in Garland, TX
Garland sits in the North Texas hail corridor — one of the most active severe-weather markets in the country. Most roofing projects here involve an insurance claim. Here's how the process works for both homeowners and contractors.
HFor Homeowners: Step-by-Step Claim Process
- 1
Document the Damage First
Before calling your insurance company, photograph every area of damage — shingles, gutters, skylights, vents, and fascia. Include timestamps. The more documentation you have, the stronger your claim. Do not allow temporary repairs or cleanup until you have photos.
- 2
File Your Claim Promptly
Contact your insurance carrier as soon as possible after the storm. In Texas, most policies require claims to be filed within one year of the damage event, but filing faster keeps the process cleaner. Your carrier will assign an insurance adjuster to inspect the property.
- 3
Get a Licensed Contractor Involved Early
Hire a licensed local roofing contractor before your adjuster visit — not after. A reputable contractor will walk the roof with the adjuster, point out damage the adjuster might miss, and provide a professional scope of work. This single step often results in a significantly larger approved claim.
- 4
Adjuster Inspection
The insurance adjuster will inspect your roof and produce a Xactimate estimate — the industry-standard tool for pricing repairs. This estimate becomes the baseline for your approved claim. If your contractor disagrees with the scope, they can submit a supplement (additional documentation) to request coverage for missed items.
- 5
Review Your Policy: ACV vs RCV
Actual Cash Value (ACV) policies pay the depreciated value of your old roof. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policies pay what it actually costs to replace the roof with like materials — usually significantly more. Check your declarations page. If you have RCV coverage, your insurer typically releases the depreciation holdback after the work is completed.
- 6
Work Begins — Contractor Handles Permits
Your contractor pulls all required permits with the City of Frisco Development Services before work starts. Inspections are scheduled as required. Final payment from your insurer is released after the work is completed and documented.
Check your policy before the storm — not after
ACV vs RCV is the single most important difference between insurance policies for Garland homeowners. After a major hail event, an ACV policy may pay $4,000 on a $14,000 roof replacement because of depreciation. An RCV policy pays the full $14,000 (minus your deductible). Review your declarations page now and call your agent if you're not sure which you have.
CFor Contractors: Working the Insurance Process
Be Present at the Adjuster Inspection
Don't let your customer meet the adjuster alone. Walk the roof together. Point out every damaged component — including HVAC equipment, pipe boots, skylights, and gutters. Adjusters work fast and miss items. Your presence protects your customer and secures the full scope.
Document Everything in Xactimate Format
Adjusters use Xactimate pricing. If you submit supplemental requests, use Xactimate line items wherever possible. Vague estimates ("replace some shingles — $3,000") get rejected. Itemized, measured, line-item supplements get approved.
Supplement Properly for Supplements
After the initial approval, supplements are common. Supplement for permit fees, drip edge, ice and water shield, disposal, and any code-required upgrades not included in the original estimate. A proper supplement workflow is the difference between a $8,000 job and a $12,000 job.
Key Terms Explained
Insurance pays the depreciated value of the damaged items — what they were worth at the time of the storm, not what it costs to replace them today. Lower payouts.
Insurance pays what it actually costs to replace the damaged items with new, like materials. Higher premiums, but far better coverage after a major event.
The amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Typical TX deductibles range from $1,000 to 2% of dwelling value for hail claims. Cannot be legally waived by the contractor.
A documented request to your insurer to add scope or cost items that were missed in the original adjuster estimate. Supplements are normal and often result in thousands of dollars in additional coverage.
The industry-standard estimating software used by insurance adjusters. Knowing how your contractor documents scope in Xactimate format significantly affects your claim outcome.
On RCV policies, insurers pay in two installments: the ACV amount upfront, then release the "recoverable depreciation" after the work is completed and documented.
Storm Chasers & Red Flags — Protect Yourself
- No local license or business address — verify contractors at the Texas Secretary of State website
- Demands large upfront payment (more than 10%) before work begins
- Pressures you to sign before your adjuster visit — a reputable contractor never rushes this
- Out-of-state plates on trucks; appeared only after the storm — "storm chasers" vanish when problems arise
- Cannot provide certificate of insurance on request — do not hire without proof
ProvenQuote connects you with licensed Garland roofing contractors experienced with TX insurance claims.
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