Austin gets hammered. Hail in Round Rock, straight-line winds through Pflugerville, that freak ice storm that took out half the roofs in Cedar Park — we've seen what Central Texas weather does to houses, and we've helped hundreds of homeowners get through the insurance claim process after the damage hits. Most people leave thousands of dollars on the table simply because they don't know how this process works. Let's walk through it together.
You don't need to climb on your roof or run around the yard documenting damage — that's our job, and we'll handle it thoroughly. But if you're inside watching golf-ball-sized hail bounce off your driveway, grab your phone and take a quick video or photo right then. A timestamped shot of hail on the ground while it's actively falling is genuinely useful. It establishes size and timing in a way that's hard to dispute later.
Everything else — the roof photos, the measurements, the damage notes, the storm data — we pull all of that ourselves. We use weather verification tools to confirm the exact date and size of the storm for your address, and we put together a complete documentation package that supports your claim from the start. You shouldn't have to figure out how to present any of this to an insurance company on your own. That's what we're here for.
This is the step most homeowners skip, and it costs them. Before you file a claim, have a qualified roofing contractor get eyes on your roof. We do free inspections for exactly this reason — we can tell you right away whether the damage is significant enough to warrant a claim, what the likely cost looks like, and what storm-specific damage patterns we're seeing across your neighborhood.
Here's why the order matters: you want to go into this process knowing what you have. If you file and the adjuster's number comes back way too low, you're already in the claim. Knowing the scope of damage before you file puts you in a much stronger position from the start.
We've walked homeowners through this in neighborhoods from Steiner Ranch to Mueller to Buda, and the ones who called us first almost always came out ahead. We document everything, we know what adjusters look for, and we make sure nothing legitimate gets left off the table.
Once you know what you have, call your insurance company or file online and report storm damage to your roof. Keep it simple and factual: the date of the storm, the type of damage (hail, wind, fallen tree), and that you've had a licensed contractor inspect and confirm damage. Don't speculate, don't over-explain, and don't volunteer anything about the age of your roof unless they ask directly.
Most major insurers operating in Austin — State Farm, Allstate, USAA, Farmers — have similar processes. You'll get a claim number right away. Write it down. You'll also be assigned an adjuster, and under the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act, your insurer is required to acknowledge your claim within 15 days and make a coverage decision within 15 business days of receiving all necessary information. Know your rights.
On timing: Texas law gives you two years from the date of loss to file a claim, but some insurance carriers write their policies with a one-year requirement. Check your policy or call your agent to confirm your specific deadline. If you're not sure which storm caused the damage, we can pull verified weather history for your zip code and nail down the exact date — we do this regularly for homeowners all over the Austin metro.
When the adjuster schedules their visit, make sure your roofer is there too. This is non-negotiable. The adjuster works for the insurance company — that's not a criticism, it's just reality. Their job is to assess the claim accurately, but their employer has a financial interest in keeping payouts as low as possible. Having your contractor on-site creates accountability and keeps the inspection thorough.
Adjusters use Xactimate, which is industry-standard estimating software that prices out every line item of repair or replacement. Make sure every item we identified during our inspection shows up in that estimate. Missing line items are common: ice and water shield, drip edge, pipe boots, decking repairs, ridgecap, tear-off disposal. These add up fast on a full replacement.
If the adjuster's estimate comes back lower than what the job actually costs, you have options. You can request a re-inspection, submit a counter-estimate from your contractor, or invoke the appraisal clause in your policy, which brings in a neutral third party to settle the dispute. We've gone through this process in Austin dozens of times. It works, and it gets homeowners to a fair number.
Once the claim is approved, you'll typically receive two payments on a full roof replacement: an ACV (Actual Cash Value) check upfront, and a recoverable depreciation payment after the work is completed and verified. Your deductible comes out of the first check. Do not sign any contractor agreement that offers to waive your deductible — that's insurance fraud under Texas law, and any company making that offer is cutting corners somewhere else too.
If you have a mortgage, your settlement check will likely be made out to both you and your lender. Call your lender's insurance department right away — it's a known headache, but a manageable one. They'll walk you through their endorsement process so you can get the funds released and the work started.
When you're choosing a contractor, verify they're licensed in Texas, have a real physical address in the Austin area, and can show proof of insurance. After every major hail event in Central Texas, out-of-state storm chasers flood the market. We saw it after the 2016 San Marcos storms, after the 2021 freeze, and after every big hail season since. They take deposits, do shoddy work, and move on to the next city. Hire someone local with a real reputation on the line.
Waiting too long is the biggest one. Depending on your policy, you may have as little as one year from the date of loss to file — and that window closes fast. If you're not sure when that hail hit your neighborhood, we can pull verified weather history for your specific zip code and help you pin down the date.
Don't assume minor visible damage isn't worth looking into. We've gotten on roofs in Lakeway and Buda that looked completely fine from the street and found $18,000 to $25,000 in legitimate hail damage. Hail doesn't always leave obvious dents on asphalt shingles — it fractures the mat underneath, and that causes leaks six to eighteen months later when your insurance window has already closed. You genuinely don't know what's up there until a qualified roofer takes a look.
Finally, don't try to manage the documentation and claim paperwork on your own if you've never done this before. The insurance side of a roof replacement has a lot of moving parts. We handle this process regularly, we know how adjusters think, and we're happy to guide you through every step — that's part of what we do.
If your roof took a hit from any recent storm, call Acacia Roofing for a free inspection — we'll document everything, put together your proof package, and tell you exactly what you have before you make any moves.
Schedule Free Inspection (512) 948-8343