How to File a Roof Insurance Claim in Idaho: Step-by-Step

How Do You File a Roof Insurance Claim After a Storm?

Photograph the damage, cover any openings with a tarp and keep the receipts, report the claim to your insurance company as soon as possible, have a roofer inspect the roof, and meet the adjuster. Don't make permanent repairs until you've talked with your insurer.

1. Stay safe

   Check the damage from the ground. Don't climb onto a damaged roof.

2. Document it

   Take photos and video of the damage, outside and inside, before anything is cleaned up.

3. Prevent more damage

   Cover openings with a tarp and keep every receipt. The Idaho Department of Insurance tells homeowners to secure the home and save receipts for emergency repairs.

4. Report the claim

   Call your insurance company or agent as soon as you know there's damage. Get a claim number and ask how long you have to file.

5. Get a roof inspection

   A roofer can find damage you can't see from the ground and write a detailed scope of work.

6. Meet the adjuster

   Have your roofer there if possible, share your photos, and walk the inside with the adjuster if there's interior damage.

7. Review the estimate

   Compare the adjuster's estimate line by line with your roofer's, and ask about anything missing.

8. Repair and close out

   Once the claim is settled, the roof gets repaired or replaced, and you send the final invoice to your insurer.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover for Roof Damage?

Most homeowners policies cover sudden damage from perils like wind and hail. They don't cover normal wear and tear or lack of maintenance, and standard policies don't cover flood.

In the words of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a homeowners policy "isn't a maintenance contract." It insures against damage from perils such as fire, wind, and hail, not a roof that simply wears out. You're responsible for repairing a roof when it begins to leak from age.

Whether damage from fallen trees, ice dams, or heavy snow is covered depends on your policy, so check your declarations page or ask your agent. That's also why documentation matters: you need to show the damage came from a specific event, not gradual aging.

What Should You Document After Roof Damage?

Photos and video of every damaged area, inside and out, the date of the storm, and receipts for anything you spend to prevent more damage.

• Photos and video of all visible damage, taken from the ground
• Shingles on the ground, dented gutters, fallen branches, and interior water stains
• The date and time of the storm
• Any temporary repairs, like tarps or buckets, and the receipts for them
• A list of damaged belongings, if the storm got inside

The Idaho Department of Insurance also suggests telling your insurer that you've taken photos when you call, and saving hotel receipts if you can't stay in the home.

When Should You Report the Claim?

As soon as you know there's damage. The Idaho Department of Insurance advises reporting a claim as soon as possible, and claim deadlines vary by policy, so ask your insurer how long you have.

Have your policy number, the date of the storm, a description of the damage, and your photos ready when you call. Ask whether your policy has a separate deductible for wind or hail.

How Long Until the Adjuster Comes?

It depends on the disaster. The Idaho Department of Insurance says a reasonable wait could be 3 to 5 days for a minor claim, and longer after a large disaster in your area.

If you don't hear from an adjuster in a reasonable time, contact your agent or the company, and make sure they know how to reach you.

How Do You Get the Most From the Adjuster Visit?

Have your roofer there if you can, share your documentation, walk the interior damage with the adjuster, and get the adjuster's name and contact information.

• Have your roofer present to walk the roof with the adjuster and point out damage
• Share your photos and your roofer's estimate
• Walk the inside with the adjuster if there's interior damage
• Ask what's covered, what the timeline is, and what happens next
• Get the adjuster's name and contact information

At Lakeview Roofing, our HAAG certified inspectors document wind and hail damage, and we can meet your adjuster on site.

What If the Adjuster's Estimate Seems Low?

Compare it line by line with your roofer's estimate. If items were missed, your roofer can send the insurer documentation asking for more, which is called a supplement.

• Look for missing items like drip edge, ice and water shield, ventilation parts, and gutters
• Check that the materials listed match what's on your roof
• Decking damage often isn't visible until the old roof comes off, and can be added then
• Tell your insurer about any new damage you find after the first inspection

Supplements are a normal part of many claims, not an adversarial step. Code-required items fall under the Ordinance and Law note above.

What's the Difference Between ACV and RCV?

Replacement cost (RCV) pays to repair or replace the roof with materials of similar kind and quality. Actual cash value (ACV) pays what the roof is worth after age and wear, which often isn't enough to fully replace it.

Check your declarations page or ask your agent which one your policy uses for the roof. It can change your out-of-pocket cost by thousands of dollars.

How Do You Avoid Problems With Contractors After a Storm?

Use a local, registered contractor, get more than one estimate, never pay the full amount before the work is done, and read any assignment of benefits carefully before you sign it.

These tips come from the Idaho Department of Insurance's Post-Disaster Claims Guide. For what to do in the first hours after a storm, see storm damage restoration.

Where Can You Get Help With a Roof Claim in Idaho?

Start with your insurer: ask for any denial in writing and explain why you disagree. If that doesn't resolve it, Idaho Department of Insurance Consumer Affairs helps for free at (208) 334-4250, or (800) 721-3272 toll-free in Idaho.

You can also file a complaint online with the department. For the roof itself, we inspect for free, document the damage, meet your adjuster, and handle supplements. Request a free inspection or call (208) 661-1781.