What to Do When Insurance Denies Your Roof Claim in Texas

Common Reasons Claims Get Denied (And Whether They Hold Up)

"Normal wear and tear" is the most common denial reason and the most frequently challenged successfully. Adjusters sometimes misclassify hail damage as aging — the visual distinction requires trained eyes and proper inspection conditions. If your claim was denied as wear and tear after a documented storm event in your area, get a second opinion from a roofing contractor before accepting the denial. "Pre-existing damage" is another common denial that sometimes holds up and sometimes doesn't — if the pre-existing damage was minor and the storm significantly extended it, coverage may still apply. Policy exclusions for cosmetic damage (dents in metal without functional damage) are legitimate in policies that include them — check your policy language. Age exclusions for roofs over 20 years old are written into some policies.

Your First Move After a Denial

Get the denial in writing with a full explanation — you have a right to this under Texas law, and many verbal denials don't survive when the adjuster has to commit it to writing. Request a copy of the adjuster's field report. Get a second roof inspection from a contractor experienced with insurance work — JRH does post-denial second inspections and provides written documentation of our findings. If the damage is there and the denial appears to be based on adjuster error, request a re-inspection with the carrier. Most carriers will accommodate one re-inspection request without formal dispute escalation.

The Appraisal Clause: Your Policy's Built-In Dispute Process

Most Texas homeowner policies include an appraisal clause — a mechanism for resolving disputes about the amount of loss (not whether coverage applies). If you and your insurer disagree on the amount, either party can invoke appraisal. Each side appoints a licensed appraiser, the two appraisers agree on a neutral umpire, and the umpire resolves the dispute. The result is binding. Appraisal doesn't help with coverage disputes (whether the damage is covered), but it's effective for amount disputes — including situations where the insurer approved a claim but severely underpaid it. Invoking appraisal typically costs $300-$1,000 for your appraiser but can recover far more.

When to Bring in a Public Adjuster or Attorney

If a re-inspection doesn't resolve the denial and you believe the damage is legitimately covered, a licensed public adjuster or insurance attorney is the right resource. Public adjusters work on a percentage of the settlement — typically 10-15% in Texas — and handle all claim negotiations on your behalf. Insurance attorneys work on contingency for bad faith cases or charge hourly for general dispute work. JRH can refer you to trusted public adjusters in the DFW area who specialize in hail and storm claims. Call us at (469) 888-6903if your claim was denied and you want a contractor's assessment of the damage before deciding next steps.