How to File a Roof Insurance Claim in Indiana

How to File a Roof Insurance Claim in Indiana

A bad storm rolls through Northwest Indiana, and the next morning you notice shingles scattered across your yard. Maybe there are dents in your gutters or water stains on the ceiling. Your first thought is probably something along the lines of "how much is this going to cost me?" The answer, in many cases, is a lot less than you think, because your homeowners insurance may cover most or all of it.

Filing a roof insurance claim does not have to be stressful. We have helped hundreds of homeowners across Lake and Porter County navigate this process, and we can tell you that knowing the steps ahead of time makes everything smoother. Here is exactly what to do.

Step 1: Document the Damage Right Away

Before you touch anything or start making temporary repairs, take photos and videos of the damage. Get close up shots of damaged shingles, dented flashing, and any interior water stains. Photograph your yard if there are shingles or debris on the ground.

The more documentation you have, the stronger your claim will be. Insurance adjusters want to see evidence that the damage was caused by a specific weather event, not by years of neglect.

If you can, note the date and time of the storm. In NWI, major weather events are usually well documented by local news and the National Weather Service, which helps establish that a storm actually occurred in your area.

Step 2: Prevent Further Damage

Indiana law and most insurance policies require you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. If you have an active leak, place a bucket under it and move furniture or belongings out of the way. If shingles are missing and rain is in the forecast, a tarp over the affected area can prevent water from getting inside.

Keep receipts for any emergency materials you buy. Your insurance policy typically covers the cost of reasonable temporary repairs.

Do not make permanent repairs before the adjuster inspects the damage. If you replace shingles or patch the roof before anyone sees the original damage, you may have a harder time getting your claim approved.

Step 3: Call Your Insurance Company

Contact your homeowners insurance provider and tell them you need to file a claim for storm damage to your roof. They will assign a claim number and schedule an adjuster to come out and inspect the damage.

In Indiana, your insurer is required to acknowledge your claim within a reasonable time frame, usually within 15 days. After the adjuster inspects, they typically have 30 days to approve or deny the claim.

A few things to know before you call:

• Have your policy number ready
• Be prepared to describe the damage and when the storm occurred
• Ask about your deductible amount so there are no surprises later
• Ask whether they will send their own adjuster or if you can hire a public adjuster

Step 4: Get a Professional Roof Inspection

This is where a lot of homeowners make a mistake. They wait for the insurance adjuster to come out and just accept whatever that person says. Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company. They are not trying to cheat you, but their job is not to find every last bit of damage either.

Before the adjuster visits, or at the same time, have a reputable local roofing contractor inspect the damage independently. A good roofer knows exactly what to look for and can identify damage that is easy to miss from the ground.

At Maris & Son Roofing, we provide free storm damage inspections throughout Crown Point, Merrillville, Valparaiso, Munster, and all of Northwest Indiana. We document everything with photos and measurements, and we can be present when the insurance adjuster comes out to make sure nothing gets overlooked.

Step 5: Review the Adjuster's Report

After the insurance adjuster inspects your roof, you will receive a written estimate detailing what they found and what the insurance company is willing to pay. Review this carefully.

Compare the adjuster's report to the inspection report from your roofing contractor. If the adjuster missed damage or underestimated the scope of repairs needed, you have the right to dispute the findings.

Common things that get missed include:

• Damage to flashing around chimneys and vents
• Compromised underlayment that is not visible from the surface
• Gutter and soffit damage
• Interior water damage that has not fully manifested yet

If there is a significant gap between the two reports, your roofing contractor can help you file a supplement with the insurance company requesting additional coverage.

Step 6: Choose Your Contractor and Schedule the Work

Once your claim is approved, you get to choose who does the work. You are not required to use any contractor your insurance company recommends. Pick someone you trust who is licensed, insured, and experienced with insurance restoration work.

In Indiana, roofing contractors are required to carry liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. Ask to see proof of both before signing anything.

Be cautious of storm chasers. After major hail or wind events in NWI, out of state contractors flood the area knocking on doors. Many of them do subpar work and disappear before you notice the problems. A local company with a long track record is always a safer bet.

Step 7: Understand Your Payment

Most insurance claims involve two payments. The first check comes after the claim is approved, minus your deductible. The second check, often called the depreciation holdback, comes after the work is completed and your contractor sends the final invoice to the insurance company.

Your out of pocket cost should be your deductible and nothing more. Be wary of any contractor who offers to waive your deductible. That is actually illegal in Indiana and could jeopardize your claim.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

From the initial storm to having a new roof installed, the typical timeline in Indiana is four to eight weeks. Weather delays, adjuster scheduling, and material availability can all affect the timeline. During busy storm seasons, it may take longer because every roofer in the area is booked out.

The sooner you start the process, the sooner it gets resolved. Do not wait months to file your claim. Most Indiana insurance policies require you to file within one year of the damage, but waiting makes it harder to prove the damage was storm related.

What to Say (and What Not to Say) to the Adjuster

The adjuster's job is to scope the loss accurately. Yours is to make sure they see everything. A few rules from working hundreds of claims in NWI:

• Describe the damage, do not speculate about cause. Say "the shingles are torn and there are dents in the metal vent caps." Do not say "this was probably hail from last summer." Your job is to report what you see, the adjuster's job is to determine cause.
• Ask the adjuster to walk the entire roof, not just the slopes facing the storm. Damage on the lee side from wind-driven hail is common and easy to miss.
• Have a contractor on site if possible. A roofer can point to damage patterns the adjuster might miss and can speak the same technical vocabulary. Most adjusters welcome having a contractor present.
• Do not sign anything from the adjuster's clipboard until you have read the estimate. They sometimes hand over forms titled "acknowledgment of inspection" that are actually acceptances of the scope. Read first.
• Get a copy of the scope of loss before they leave. This is the document that determines what gets paid. Compare it against your contractor's estimate item by item.

If Your Claim Is Denied or Underpaid

Denied or underpaid claims are not the end of the road. Three escalation paths in Indiana:

1. Request a re-inspection. Write to the insurance company asking for a second adjuster to inspect with your contractor present. Cite specific items from the scope you believe were missed. This resolves a meaningful percentage of disputes.
2. File a complaint with the Indiana Department of Insurance. The IDOI takes consumer complaints seriously and can compel the insurer to justify the denial in writing. Find the complaint form at in.gov/idoi. Filing alone often gets the claim re-opened.
3. Hire a public adjuster. Public adjusters work for you (not the insurance company) and typically charge 10 to 15 percent of the final settlement. They handle the back-and-forth and often recover significantly more than the original offer. Use this option for larger claims (full replacement scope) where the math justifies the fee.

We do not represent you in disputes (we are roofers, not lawyers or adjusters), but we will provide written documentation of damage to support your case at no charge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Insurance Claims

How long do I have to file a claim after a storm? Most Indiana policies allow up to one year from the date of loss, but file as soon as possible. Adjusters can identify storm-specific damage much more easily in the first 60 days. Waiting also gives the damage time to worsen, which can complicate the claim.

Can I file a claim if the damage happened during a storm I did not photograph? Yes. You do not need photos of the storm itself, only of the resulting damage. Your contractor can document storm damage patterns even months later. NWS weather records also help confirm a storm hit your area on the date you report.

What is the difference between my deductible and the depreciation withheld? The deductible is your out of pocket cost (typically $500 to $2,500). Depreciation is the difference between what the roof is worth today and what it costs to replace. On an RCV policy, the depreciation is paid to you in a second check after the work is done. ACV policies do not pay the depreciation at all.

Can the insurance company force me to use their preferred contractor? No. Indiana law gives you the right to choose your own contractor. The insurance company can recommend their preferred list, but they cannot require you to use it. Use any licensed and insured contractor you trust.

What if my insurance approves less money than my contractor's estimate? Have your contractor write a supplemental claim with itemized documentation of the gap. Common reasons: missed scope items (drip edge, ice and water shield, ridge vent), price differences on materials, or labor rate disputes. Supplements get approved more often than people realize.

Ready for a Free Roof Inspection?

Contact Maris & Son Roofing today. Fourth generation family business serving Northwest Indiana since 1923. Call us at (219) 738-1940 or request a free estimate.