The First 72 Hours After a Storm

The most critical period of the entire claims process. The window immediately after a storm is the most critical — and most mishandled — period of the entire claims process. What you do in the first 72 hours helps make sure the damage is fully documented. GET AN HONEST INSPECTION - Have a roofer you trust inspect the roof and photograph what they find. A good roofer will tell you honestly whether the damage looks claim-worthy — and if it doesn't, they'll tell you that too. Your insurance company or agent can tell you what your policy covers. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING Photograph or video every inch of visible damage — gutters, fascia, window screens, AC units, fences. Hail doesn't just hit roofs. Date-stamp everything. If you trust your roofer and know they're experienced, you can let them handle documentation during their initial inspection. DON'T LET ROOFERS RUSH YOU After a storm, door-knockers show up. Some are legitimate — many are storm chasers who'll disappear after collecting. There should be no deposits or money collected upfront — that alone is a RED FLAG. Don't sign anything in the first 24-48 hours. CHECK YOUR POLICY BEFORE YOU FILE Know your deductible and whether you have RCV or ACV coverage. These two policy types pay out very differently. THEN FILE YOUR CLAIM Once the damage is documented, file the claim. Your roofing contractor can meet your adjuster at the inspection. Get written confirmation of your claim number and the adjuster's direct contact. * Sometimes an initial check is issued before all items have been fully reviewed — always confirm the estimate is complete before accepting it as final.

How the Insurance Claims Process Works

Each layer is important — nothing should slip through the cracks. Most homeowners think the claims process is simple: storm hits, adjuster comes out, check arrives. The reality is more layered — and each layer is important to understand so nothing slips through the cracks. You File the Claim Your insurance company assigns a claim number and schedules an adjuster to inspect your property. Adjuster Inspection The adjuster — who works for your insurance company — or a 3rd party inspector contracted by your insurance — visits your property. Your roofing contractor can be there too, to point out the damage they documented. Estimate Issued (Xactimate or Itel) You receive a written estimate. This document reflects the adjuster's initial assessment and can be reviewed and updated if items were missed. Depreciation Applied With ACV coverage, insurance subtracts depreciation from your payment. With RCV, you recover depreciation after certificate of completion, completion photos, and proof of deductible payment. Supplement Opportunity If the estimate is missing items or undervalues the work, your contractor submits a supplement. This is a standard part of the process. Final Payment & Completion Once the work is done, your contractor invoices and the final payment is released. You could receive a depreciation check, a final supplement, or both. PRO TIP: Ask your roofer to meet the adjuster at the inspection. We document everything, meet your adjuster, and make sure nothing gets missed.

How to Read Your Insurance Estimate

The most important document — don't just look at the bottom line. Your insurance estimate is the most important document in the claims process. Most homeowners glance at the bottom-line number and assume it's final. It is not. RCV — Replacement Cost Value The full cost to replace your roof at today's prices, without depreciation deducted. This is what you want your policy to include. ACV — Actual Cash Value The depreciated value of your roof — what it's worth today, not what it costs to replace. The older your roof, the more you pay out of pocket on top of your deductible. Recoverable Depreciation The amount withheld by your insurer that you can recover after the work is completed and invoiced. Often thousands of dollars. Non-Recoverable Depreciation Depreciation you cannot get back regardless of what is completed. ACV policies typically carry this. O&P — Overhead & Profit An industry term for a contractor's overhead and profit on jobs that need several trades. Whether it applies is up to your policy and your insurance company. Line Items Each individual task or material in your estimate. Missing items — gutters, drip edge, ice & water shield, flashing — are where costs are most commonly missed in a complex estimate. Xactimate or Itel Industry-standard pricing software used by adjusters and contractors. Prices are updated regionally. COMMON MISSING ITEMS: Drip edge • Ice & water shield • Step flashing • Pipe boots • Satellite detach/reset • Gutters • Skylight flashing • Code upgrades When your estimate arrives, don't try to decode it alone. Your roofing expert should walk your property with the claim in hand — checking measurements, verifying quantities, confirming everything is within local city code compliance, and identifying any missing items. They should then sit down with you and explain the scope of work so you know what's planned.

The Supplement Process — Additional Damage Found During the Job

What happens if more damage turns up. Sometimes more damage turns up once the work starts. If we find additional damage during the job, we document it with photos and share it with your insurance company — a supplement. Your insurance company makes the coverage decision. WHAT GETS SUPPLEMENTED? Additional square footage, code-required upgrades, steep slope charges, accessibility charges, detach/reset of solar panels, upgraded underlayment, and more. HOW IS IT DONE? Your contractor documents missing items with photos, measurements, and Xactimate or Itel line items, then submits to the insurance company. This is standard practice — a normal part of the process. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? Most supplements resolve within 1-3 weeks. Your contractor should keep you updated throughout. WHAT SHOULD YOU WATCH FOR? Be cautious of contractors who say 'whatever insurance pays is fine.' That usually means cutting corners to match the initial estimate — not delivering the full scope of work your property needs.

Red Flags of a Dishonest Roofer

Know what to look for — your home and money depend on it. Not every roofer knocking on your door after a storm is a scammer — but enough are that you need to know what to look for. They pressure you to sign immediately Legitimate contractors don't use high-pressure tactics. If someone pushes you to sign the day of the storm, walk away. They offer to waive your deductible Insurance fraud in most states. Any contractor offering to 'cover your deductible' is asking you to commit fraud alongside them. No local address or physical office Storm chasers often operate out of a truck and a P.O. box. If you can't verify a physical local presence, be very cautious. They want a large deposit upfront In roofing insurance claims, there should be no money collected before work begins. Anyone asking for 50%+ before a single shingle is laid is a red flag. They can't provide proof of insurance If a worker is injured on your roof and the contractor has no liability or workers' comp, you could be held liable. Always ask for certificates. Vague or missing warranty information A quality roof comes with a manufacturer's material warranty AND a contractor workmanship warranty. Get both in writing. They suggest misrepresenting anything to your insurer This is insurance fraud — regardless of who proposed it, you are legally responsible. Walk away immediately. No online presence or reviews Every legitimate local contractor has a Google Business profile with real reviews. Can't find them? Red flag. They disappear after receiving payment The most common scam. Tie payments to milestones and never pay in full until the work is complete and inspected.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign Anything

Any contractor worth hiring will welcome these questions. Any contractor worth hiring will welcome these questions. A bad one will fumble, deflect, or rush past them. Are you licensed and insured in this state? Ask for their license number and certificates of liability and workers' comp. Note: some states like Texas have no roofing license requirement. Do you have a local office? You want someone around for warranty issues years from now. Get a physical address and verify it. Can I see references from recent local jobs? Ask for 2-3 references from the last 6 months. A contractor who can't provide them is telling you something. What manufacturer's warranty comes with these shingles? Quality shingles carry 30-year to lifetime warranties. Ask for documentation before materials are ordered. What is your workmanship warranty? Installation errors are the #1 cause of roofing problems. Ask what workmanship warranty the contractor offers, and get it in writing. If more damage turns up during the job, how do you handle it? A good contractor documents it with photos and shares it with your insurance company. Will you be present for the adjuster inspection? Should be a yes without hesitation. Your contractor should want to be there to ensure all damage is documented. What's the payment schedule? Never pay 100% upfront. Payment is received on the day of roof replacement — only for work completed. Typically 3-4 checks: deductible, 1st insurance payment, supplement(s), final payment. Who are the actual workers on my roof? Subcontracting is common. Know who's on your roof and whether they're covered. Subs should carry their own insurance. What is your process if I have a concern after the job is complete? A contractor who stands behind their work will have a clear answer — a direct contact, a defined response time, and a willingness to come back out.

How to Work With Your Adjuster

Understanding their role and knowing your rights. Your adjuster's role is to assess your claim according to your policy terms. Understanding that role — and knowing your rights within it — is how you get the best outcome for your property. BE RESPECTFUL, BUT BE PRESENT Adjusters handle dozens of claims per week. Be professional and organized — and don't be passive. You have every right to walk the property alongside them and ask questions at every step. DOCUMENT YOUR OWN FINDINGS FIRST Walk your property (or have your contractor do it) before the adjuster arrives. Know what's there so you can ensure nothing is overlooked. KNOW YOUR RIGHT TO A RE-INSPECTION If you disagree with the adjuster's findings, you have the right to request a re-inspection or involve a public adjuster. Insurance companies are required to respond. UNDERSTAND THE APPRAISAL CLAUSE Most homeowner's policies include an appraisal clause — a formal dispute resolution process where both parties hire their own appraiser and a neutral umpire decides. Rarely needed, but powerful to know. THE PUBLIC ADJUSTER OPTION A public adjuster works on your behalf — for a percentage of the payout (typically 10-15%). Most valuable on large or complex claims where additional review is warranted.

The Homeowner’s Guide to Not Getting Ripped Off on Your Roof Replacement

Michael Smiley • April 29, 2026

A PERSONAL NOTE FROM MICHAEL SMILEY, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

To the homeowner reading this,

I'll be straight with you: I'm not a 30-year veteran. I've been in roofing for 4 years — involved in 83 jobs from first inspection all the way through final payment. I'm based in North Texas — serving homeowners in Melissa, McKinney,
Frisco, Dallas, and the surrounding area. I know the storms that come through here, and I know the local codes. What I learned in those 4 years would take most homeowners a lifetime to figure out on their own. That's exactly why I wrote this.

What I want you to know: Storm damage isn't always easy to see, and some of it only shows up once the work starts. If we find additional damage during the job, we document it with photos and share it with your insurance company. Your insurance company makes the coverage decision.

The problem isn't that insurance companies are evil. The problem is that homeowners don't know what they
don't know. They get a document full of industry jargon, a check that feels significant, and assume the system worked.

Whether you choose to work with me or someone else entirely — the information in this guide will protect you
either way. That's the point.

Read it all. Use the checklist. And if you have questions — reach out directly. That offer is real.

The First 72 Hours After a Storm
The most critical period of the entire claims process.

The window immediately after a storm is the most critical — and most mishandled — period of the entire claims
process. What you do in the first 72 hours helps make sure the damage is fully documented.

GET AN HONEST INSPECTION - Have a roofer you trust inspect the roof and photograph what they find. A good roofer will tell you honestly whether the damage looks claim-worthy — and if it doesn't, they'll tell you that too. Your insurance company or agent can tell you what your policy covers.
DOCUMENT EVERYTHING Photograph or video every inch of visible damage — gutters, fascia, window screens, AC units, fences. Hail doesn't just hit roofs. Date-stamp everything. If you trust your roofer and know they're experienced, you can let them handle documentation during their initial inspection.
DON'T LET ROOFERS RUSH YOU After a storm, door-knockers show up. Some are legitimate — many are storm chasers who'll disappear after collecting. There should be no deposits or money collected upfront — that alone is a RED FLAG. Don't sign anything in the first 24-48 hours.
CHECK YOUR POLICY BEFORE YOU FILE Know your deductible and whether you have RCV or ACV coverage. These two policy types pay out very differently.
THEN FILE YOUR CLAIM Once the damage is documented, file the claim. Your roofing contractor can meet your adjuster at the inspection. Get written confirmation of your claim number and the adjuster's direct contact.

* Sometimes an initial check is issued before all items have been fully reviewed — always confirm the estimate is complete before accepting it as final.
How the Insurance Claims Process Works
Each layer is important — nothing should slip through the cracks.

Most homeowners think the claims process is simple: storm hits, adjuster comes out, check arrives. The reality is more layered — and each layer is important to understand so nothing slips through the cracks.

You File the Claim Your insurance company assigns a claim number and schedules an adjuster to inspect your property.
Adjuster Inspection The adjuster — who works for your insurance company — or a 3rd party inspector contracted by your insurance — visits your property. Your roofing contractor can be there too, to point out the damage they documented.
Estimate Issued (Xactimate or Itel) You receive a written estimate. This document reflects the adjuster's initial assessment and can be reviewed and updated if items were missed.
Depreciation Applied With ACV coverage, insurance subtracts depreciation from your payment. With RCV, you recover depreciation after certificate of completion, completion photos, and proof of deductible payment.
Supplement Opportunity If the estimate is missing items or undervalues the work, your contractor submits a supplement. This is a standard part of the process.
Final Payment & Completion Once the work is done, your contractor invoices and the final payment is released. You could receive a depreciation check, a final supplement, or both.

PRO TIP: Ask your roofer to meet the adjuster at the inspection. We document everything, meet your adjuster, and make sure nothing gets missed.
How to Read Your Insurance Estimate
The most important document — don't just look at the bottom line.
Your insurance estimate is the most important document in the claims process. Most homeowners glance at the bottom-line number and assume it's final. It is not.

RCV — Replacement Cost Value
The full cost to replace your roof at today's prices, without depreciation deducted. This is what you want your policy to include.

ACV — Actual Cash Value
The depreciated value of your roof — what it's worth today, not what it costs to replace. The older your roof, the more you pay out of pocket on top of your deductible.

Recoverable Depreciation
The amount withheld by your insurer that you can recover after the work is completed and invoiced. Often thousands of dollars.

Non-Recoverable Depreciation
Depreciation you cannot get back regardless of what is completed. ACV policies typically carry this.

O&P — Overhead & Profit
An industry term for a contractor's overhead and profit on jobs that need several trades. Whether it applies is up to your policy and your insurance company.

Line Items
Each individual task or material in your estimate. Missing items — gutters, drip
edge, ice & water shield, flashing — are where costs are most commonly missed
in a complex estimate.

Xactimate or Itel
Industry-standard pricing software used by adjusters and contractors. Prices are updated regionally.

COMMON MISSING ITEMS: Drip edge • Ice & water shield • Step flashing • Pipe boots • Satellite detach/reset • Gutters • Skylight flashing • Code upgrades

When your estimate arrives, don't try to decode it alone. Your roofing expert should walk your property with the claim in hand — checking measurements, verifying quantities, confirming everything is within local city code compliance, and identifying any missing items. They should then sit down with you and explain the scope of work so you know what's planned.
The Supplement Process — Additional Damage Found During the Job
What happens if more damage turns up.

Sometimes more damage turns up once the work starts. If we find additional damage during the job, we document it with photos and share it with your insurance company — a supplement. Your insurance company makes the coverage decision.

WHAT GETS SUPPLEMENTED?

Additional square footage, code-required upgrades, steep slope charges, accessibility
charges, detach/reset of solar panels, upgraded underlayment, and more.

HOW IS IT DONE?

Your contractor documents missing items with photos, measurements, and Xactimate or Itel line items, then submits to the insurance company. This is standard practice — a normal part of the process.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Most supplements resolve within 1-3 weeks. Your contractor should keep you updated
throughout.

WHAT SHOULD YOU WATCH FOR?

Be cautious of contractors who say 'whatever insurance pays is fine.' That usually means cutting corners to match the initial estimate — not delivering the full scope of work your property needs.
Red Flags of a Dishonest Roofer
Know what to look for — your home and money depend on it.

Not every roofer knocking on your door after a storm is a scammer — but enough are that you need to know what to look for.

They pressure you to sign immediately Legitimate contractors don't use high-pressure tactics. If someone pushes you to sign the day of the storm, walk away.
They offer to waive your deductible Insurance fraud in most states. Any contractor offering to 'cover your deductible' is asking you to commit fraud alongside them.
No local address or physical office Storm chasers often operate out of a truck and a P.O. box. If you can't verify a physical local presence, be very cautious.
They want a large deposit upfront In roofing insurance claims, there should be no money collected before work begins. Anyone asking for 50%+ before a single shingle is laid is a red flag.
They can't provide proof of insurance If a worker is injured on your roof and the contractor has no liability or workers' comp, you could be held liable. Always ask for certificates.
Vague or missing warranty information A quality roof comes with a manufacturer's material warranty AND a contractor workmanship warranty. Get both in writing.
They suggest misrepresenting anything to your insurer This is insurance fraud — regardless of who proposed it, you are legally responsible. Walk away immediately.
No online presence or reviews Every legitimate local contractor has a Google Business profile with real reviews. Can't find them? Red flag.
They disappear after receiving payment The most common scam. Tie payments to milestones and never pay in full until the work is complete and inspected.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign Anything
Any contractor worth hiring will welcome these questions.

Any contractor worth hiring will welcome these questions. A bad one will fumble, deflect, or rush past them.

Are you licensed and insured in this state?
Ask for their license number and certificates of liability and workers' comp. Note: some states like Texas have no roofing license requirement.

Do you have a local office?
You want someone around for warranty issues years from now. Get a physical address and verify it.

Can I see references from recent local jobs?
Ask for 2-3 references from the last 6 months. A contractor who can't provide them is telling you something.

What manufacturer's warranty comes with these shingles?
Quality shingles carry 30-year to lifetime warranties. Ask for documentation before materials are ordered.

What is your workmanship warranty?
Installation errors are the #1 cause of roofing problems. Ask what workmanship warranty the contractor offers, and get it in writing.

If more damage turns up during the job, how do you handle it?
A good contractor documents it with photos and shares it with your insurance company.

Will you be present for the adjuster inspection?
Should be a yes without hesitation. Your contractor should want to be there to ensure all damage is documented.

What's the payment schedule?
Never pay 100% upfront. Payment is received on the day of roof replacement — only for work completed.
Typically 3-4 checks: deductible, 1st insurance payment, supplement(s), final payment.

Who are the actual workers on my roof?
Subcontracting is common. Know who's on your roof and whether they're covered. Subs should carry their own insurance.

What is your process if I have a concern after the job is complete?
A contractor who stands behind their work will have a clear answer — a direct contact, a defined response time, and a willingness to come back out.
How to Work With Your Adjuster
Understanding their role and knowing your rights.

Your adjuster's role is to assess your claim according to your policy terms. Understanding that role — and knowing your rights within it — is how you get the best outcome for your property.

BE RESPECTFUL, BUT BE PRESENT

Adjusters handle dozens of claims per week. Be professional and organized — and don't be passive. You have every right to walk the property alongside them and ask questions at every step.

DOCUMENT YOUR OWN FINDINGS FIRST

Walk your property (or have your contractor do it) before the adjuster arrives. Know what's there so you can ensure nothing is overlooked.

KNOW YOUR RIGHT TO A RE-INSPECTION

If you disagree with the adjuster's findings, you have the right to request a re-inspection or involve a public adjuster. Insurance companies are required to respond.

UNDERSTAND THE APPRAISAL CLAUSE

Most homeowner's policies include an appraisal clause — a formal dispute resolution process where both parties hire their own appraiser and a neutral umpire decides. Rarely needed, but powerful to know.

THE PUBLIC ADJUSTER OPTION

A public adjuster works on your behalf — for a percentage of the payout (typically 10-15%). Most valuable on large or complex claims where additional review is warranted.

FINAL WORD: KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT

A new roof is one of the biggest projects you'll take on.

Getting a new roof is one of the largest home improvement investments you'll ever make.

The homeowners who have the smoothest experience aren't lucky — they're prepared. They knew what to do, when to do it, and who to trust. Your insurance company makes the coverage decision. Our job is to restore your home like it was our own. Want real numbers for your home? Get a roof replacement estimate.

READY TO PROTECT YOUR HOME?

Schedule a FREE roof inspection and I'll walk your property, document everything, and give you an honest assessment — no obligation, no pressure.

(214) 585-7391

info@rightonroofing.com

We Don't Sell Roofs. We Protect Homeowners.

Serving Melissa, McKinney, Frisco, Dallas & Greater North Texas

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