Roof Insurance Claims Assistance From People Who've Sat on Both Sides of the Table
Most roofing companies will tell you they can "help with your claim." We can tell you exactly how adjusters think — because our founders were insurance adjusters before they started BigFoot Roofing. That's not a talking point. It's the reason our documentation holds up and our clients get fair outcomes.
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What Your Homeowners Insurance Actually Covers (and What It Doesn't)
Understanding what triggers a covered claim is the first thing most homeowners get wrong, and it's the difference between a full roof replacement and a denied claim. Homeowners insurance is built around sudden, accidental damage — not gradual wear.
Covered damage typically includes:
- Wind damage from storms, including lifted or missing shingles
- Hail impact that compromises shingle integrity or granule coverage
- Snow and ice load damage that causes structural stress
- Falling objects, such as tree limbs, during a storm event
What insurance doesn't cover is just as important to know. Age-related deterioration, granule loss from normal weathering, and deferred maintenance are consistently excluded. If your roof has both storm damage and existing wear, the adjuster will separate the two — and so will we, before they arrive.
How the Claims Process Works, Step by Step
Filing a roof insurance claim feels complicated because most homeowners do it once or twice in a lifetime. We've been through it hundreds of times, on both sides. Here's what the process actually looks like.
Step 1: Document the Damage Before Anything Else
The claim lives or dies on documentation. Before you call your insurer, we perform a thorough inspection and build a complete damage record — photographs, measurements, and a written scope that uses the same language adjusters are trained to look for. This is the foundation everything else rests on.
Step 2: File Your Claim With Your Insurance Company
Once you have documentation in hand, you contact your insurer to open a claim. They'll assign a claim number and schedule an adjuster visit. We'll help you understand what to say, what to avoid, and what to have ready before that appointment.
Step 3: We Meet the Adjuster on Your Roof
This is where having former adjusters on your side makes a measurable difference. We attend the adjuster inspection with you, walk the roof alongside them, and make sure every damage item in our scope gets seen and logged. You don't negotiate alone — we're on the roof with them.
Step 4: Review the Claim Estimate and Scope of Loss
After the inspection, your insurer issues a scope of loss — their written estimate of what they'll pay. We review it against our documentation line by line. If items were missed or undervalued, we prepare a supplement with supporting evidence and submit it for review.
Step 5: Understand Your Payout — ACV vs. RCV
Most policies pay in two stages. The first check is the Actual Cash Value (ACV) — replacement cost minus depreciation. Once the work is complete, you can file for the Recoverable Depreciation, bringing the total to the full Replacement Cost Value (RCV). We walk you through both stages so nothing gets left on the table.
Step 6: Roof Replacement With Warranty-Backed Materials
Once the claim is settled, we schedule your replacement using GAF, CertainTeed, or IKO certified materials and back the work with our 10-year workmanship warranty. From first inspection to finished roof, we stay with you through the entire process.
What Happens If Your Claim Gets Denied or Underpaid
A denial or a low settlement isn't always the final word. Insurance companies make mistakes, and adjusters miss damage — especially on complex hail patterns or wind events that don't leave obvious visible marks.
If your claim comes back denied or the payout falls short of what the damage warrants, we prepare a detailed supplemental package: additional photographs, third-party weather data tied to the date of loss, and a written damage scope formatted for review or formal appeal. Evidence is the strongest tool in a dispute, and we build the evidence file from the first inspection with exactly that possibility in mind.
Wind and Hail Deductibles in Utah — What to Expect
Many Utah homeowners don't realize their policy carries a separate wind and hail deductible until they're already in the middle of a claim. Unlike a standard flat deductible, wind and hail deductibles are often calculated as a percentage of the home's insured value — typically 1% to 2% — which can mean a larger out-of-pocket amount than expected.
We review your policy with you before the claim is filed so you know your deductible structure going in. If the deductible creates a gap between the insurance payout and your out-of-pocket costs, we offer financing options to help cover it. A deductible shouldn't be the reason a damaged roof goes unrepaired.
Start With a Free Inspection and Claim-Ready Documentation
If you've had a storm come through, or if you suspect your roof has damage you haven't had assessed yet, the right move is a professional inspection before you call your insurer. We'll document what we find in a format that's ready for the claims process from day one.
Real Feedback from Across the DMV
Serving Homeowners Across Salt Lake, Utah, and Tooele Counties
BigFoot Roofing guides homeowners through the insurance claims process throughout Salt Lake County, Utah County, and Tooele County — including Eagle Mountain, Lehi, Saratoga Springs, Sandy, West Jordan, Herriman, South Jordan, Provo, and Tooele. From the first inspection and damage documentation through adjuster meetings, supplement filings, and final replacement, we stay with you every step of the way — no matter where you are in the Salt Lake metro. If a storm has come through your neighborhood, we can get an inspector on your roof fast and have claim-ready documentation built before your adjuster ever arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Claims
Will my homeowners insurance pay for a new roof?
It depends on the cause of the damage. Homeowners insurance covers sudden, accidental damage from events like hail, wind, and falling objects. If your roof was damaged in a qualifying storm, your policy will likely cover replacement minus your deductible. Damage from age or normal wear is excluded. A professional inspection with proper documentation is the first step to knowing what your policy will support.Should a roofer meet my insurance adjuster?
Yes, and it matters more than most homeowners realize. Having an experienced roofer present during the adjuster's inspection ensures that every damage item gets seen, logged, and matched against your documentation. Our founders worked as adjusters — we know exactly what they're looking for and how to make sure nothing legitimate gets missed.What if my roof claim gets denied?
A denial can be challenged. We prepare supplemental documentation — including additional photos, weather data tied to the date of loss, and a detailed written scope — to support a review or formal appeal. Denials that aren't backed by thorough evidence on both sides are often reversible.What is the difference between ACV and RCV on a roof claim?
ACV (Actual Cash Value) is what your insurer pays first — the replacement cost of your roof minus depreciation for its age and condition. RCV (Replacement Cost Value) is the full replacement amount. Once the work is complete, most policies allow you to claim the recoverable depreciation, bringing your total payout up to the RCV. We walk you through both steps so you collect everything your policy allows.How long does a roof insurance claim take in Utah?
Most claims move from inspection to settlement in two to six weeks, though timelines vary by insurer and claim complexity. Storm surge periods — when a large hail or wind event affects many homes at once — can slow adjuster scheduling. We help you file promptly and keep documentation ready so your claim doesn't stall waiting on paperwork.
