A storm rolls through. Now what? The order you make these calls actually matters more than most homeowners realize.
Call your contractor first
A reputable local roofer will do a free inspection and tell you, honestly, whether you have a claim worth filing. Filing a claim that gets denied still goes on your CLUE report and can affect future premiums. You want to know what you actually have before you call the carrier.
Then file with your carrier
If the damage warrants a claim, you call your insurance company and open the claim. They assign an adjuster who will come inspect. Your contractor should be on-site for that adjuster meeting — this is non-negotiable.
When a public adjuster makes sense
Public adjusters represent you (not the carrier) for a percentage of the settlement, usually 10%. They make sense on large, complex losses — total losses, commercial properties, or claims the carrier is significantly underpaying. They rarely make sense on a straightforward residential roof claim where your contractor can negotiate supplements directly.
What to avoid
- Signing anything from a door-knocker who shows up after the storm.
- Letting a contractor act as your public adjuster — it's illegal in Texas under the AOB statute.
- Paying any deposit before the insurance claim is filed and approved.