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 inspected hundreds of roofs after the damage hits. Most people don't know how the claim process works until they're in it. Here's how it goes, step by step.
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 (photos, measurements and storm data) that you can share with your insurance company when you file.
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 what damage we find, what a repair or replacement would likely cost, 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 inspected roofs in neighborhoods from Steiner Ranch to Mueller to Buda, and the homeowners who had an inspection first went into their claims knowing what they had. We document everything with photos so nothing legitimate goes unrecorded.
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 roofing contractor inspect and confirm damage. Stick to what you know and answer your insurer's questions accurately.
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, let us know: we can meet them on site and show them the damage we documented. The adjuster works for your insurance company and assesses the claim for them; you own the claim and decide what to do with their findings.
Adjusters use Xactimate, which is industry-standard estimating software that prices out every line item of repair or replacement. You can compare that estimate with ours. Items worth checking for: ice and water shield, drip edge, pipe boots, decking repairs, ridgecap, tear-off disposal. These add up fast on a full replacement.
If you think the adjuster's estimate is lower than what the job actually costs, you have options as the policyholder. You can request a re-inspection, send your insurer our estimate and photos, invoke the appraisal clause in your policy (which brings in a neutral third party to settle the dispute), or hire a licensed public adjuster to represent you.
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, remember that Texas does not license roofing contractors, so ask for proof of insurance, check their reviews and BBB profile, and make sure they have a real physical address in the Austin area. 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 skip the documentation. The insurance side of a roof replacement has a lot of moving parts, and clear photos and a detailed estimate make your claim easier to file. We document storm damage regularly, and we're happy to answer questions about the roofing side of the process.
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