How to File a Roof Insurance Claim in California

A storm moves through, and the next morning there is a brown stain on the ceiling. Or a branch comes down and cracks a row of tiles. Now you are wondering if your homeowners policy will help pay for the repair, and how the process works.

A roof insurance claim in California follows a set of steps, and state rules set deadlines for how fast your insurer has to respond. This guide walks through the roof insurance claim process, from the first photo to the final check, and covers how to choose a roofer you can trust before you sign anything.

If water is coming in right now, deal with safety and temporary protection first. Our guide on what to do after storm damage to your roof covers tarps and emergency steps. This article picks up from there.

Is roof damage covered by homeowners insurance in California?

It depends on your policy and on what caused the damage. Most homeowners policies are written to cover sudden, accidental damage, such as a tree falling on the roof or wind tearing off shingles. Many policies do not cover wear and tear, old age, or damage from long-term neglect. The exact wording is in your policy, so read the "perils insured against" and "exclusions" sections, or ask your agent to point you to them.

Two other policy terms matter for a roof insurance claim:

• Deductible. The amount you pay before coverage starts. Some policies have a separate deductible for certain kinds of damage.
• Replacement cost vs actual cash value. Replacement cost pays to replace the damaged roof with similar materials. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation, so an older roof may pay out much less. Some insurers pay actual cash value first, then the rest after the work is done.

Source: California Department of Insurance, consumer guidance on homeowners insurance

Step 1: Document the roof damage

Good records make every later step easier. Before any repairs beyond a temporary fix:

• Take dated photos and video of the roof from the ground, the ceiling stains, the attic if you can reach it safely, and any debris in the yard.
• Write down the date and time of the storm or event.
• Keep receipts for tarps, emergency repairs and any hotel stay if the home is unlivable.
• Do not throw away damaged materials until the adjuster has seen them or said it is fine.

Do not climb on a wet or damaged roof yourself. Photos from the ground or a window are enough to start.

Step 2: Report the claim to your insurer

Call your insurer or use its app or website, and ask for a claim number. Write it down along with the name of everyone you talk to. Your policy will say how soon you must report a loss, so do not wait.

California regulations set clear timelines for insurers once you report a claim:

Source: California Code of Regulations, Title 10, §§2695.5 and 2695.7 (Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations)

If your claim is denied, in whole or part, the denial must be in writing, explain the reasons, and tell you that you can ask the California Department of Insurance to review it.

Step 3: Meet the insurance adjuster

The insurer will send an adjuster, or ask for photos, to inspect the damage. A few tips:

• Be there for the inspection if you can.
• Point out every area of damage, inside and out, including the attic.
• Ask the adjuster what they found and when you will get a written estimate.
• It is fine to have your own roofer there to point out damage. Make sure that roofer is someone you chose, not someone who chose you.

The adjuster works for the insurance company. That does not make them your enemy, but their estimate is a starting point, not the final word. If you think the estimate missed damage, you can send the insurer your roofer's written estimate and photos and ask them to reconsider.

Step 4: Get a written estimate from a licensed roofer

You get to choose who repairs your roof. Your insurer may suggest contractors, but you are not required to use them. Whoever you choose, check them out first.

• Check the California contractor license. Roof work over $1,000 in labor and materials requires a CSLB license, and roofing is the C-39 classification. Look up the license number on the CSLB website. Our guide on how to check a contractor's license shows you how.
• Confirm they are licensed and insured. Ask for proof of workers' comp and liability coverage.
• Ask for a line-by-line estimate. It should list materials, square footage, flashing, underlayment, tear-off and disposal.

Source: CSLB, Business and Professions Code §7048 (minor work exemption under $1,000)

Our article on what a C-39 roofing license is explains what that classification covers.

Red flags during a roof insurance claim

Storm season brings out roofers who follow the weather. Some do fine work. Others count on you being stressed. Watch for these.

• Door knockers right after a storm who say they can "get your roof paid for by insurance." See how to spot a storm chaser roofer.
• An offer to "cover" or "waive" your deductible. Your deductible is your share of the loss. A roofer who hides it from the insurer by inflating the bill puts you at risk too. California treats false or inflated insurance claims as fraud under Penal Code §550.
• Pressure to sign right away, sometimes before the adjuster has even come out. Read every page before you sign.
• Papers that hand over your claim. Some contracts include an "assignment of benefits" or let the roofer deal with the insurer for you. Read carefully and ask what you are giving up.
• No license number, or one that does not match the name on the truck. Our list of unlicensed contractor red flags covers more.
• A large deposit up front. California limits a home improvement down payment to 10 percent of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. Our guide on roofer deposits explains the rule.

Source: Business and Professions Code §7159.5; Penal Code §550; CSLB consumer guidance

If you sign with a roofer in your home and change your mind, you may have a right to cancel. After a declared disaster, that window can be longer. The cancellation notice must come with the contract, and you cancel in writing. Our guide to roofing contracts in California covers the notice.

Step 5: Settle the claim and get the work done

Once the insurer approves the claim, read the settlement letter carefully. Check what was covered, the deductible, and whether any money is held back until the work is finished. If your home has a mortgage, the check may be made out to both you and your lender.

Before work starts, make sure your roofing contract matches the scope the insurer approved. Our guide on what should be in a roofing contract lists what to look for. Keep paying in step with the work, and get a final invoice and any warranty paperwork when the job is done.

What if you disagree with the insurer?

Start by asking the insurer, in writing, to explain its decision and to review the new information you have. Keep copies of everything. If you still disagree, the California Department of Insurance takes consumer complaints and can review how a claim was handled. Some homeowners also hire a licensed public adjuster, who works for you and is paid from the claim. If you consider one, check that they are licensed with the Department of Insurance, and read the fee terms in the written contract before you sign.

Source: California Department of Insurance; Insurance Code §15027

Where ConFacts fits

A roof insurance claim in California goes smoother when the roofer on the job is someone you checked, not someone who found you. ConFacts builds sourced background reports on California C-39 roofing contractors from public records, like CSLB license status, workers' comp and disciplinary actions, and scores them from 0 to 100. Your first report is free. We take no money from contractors. We show you the record, you make the decision.