How Hail Roof Claims Usually Work in Amarillo
General information, not legal or insurance advice. You file a hail claim with your own insurance company, its adjuster looks at the damage, and a roofer gives you a repair or replacement estimate. If you want someone to represent you with the insurer, that is a public adjuster licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance or an attorney, never the roofer doing the work. The Texas Department of Insurance publishes the official consumer guides.
Reviewed by: Patrik Lorentzson, Editor, Amarillo Prime Roofing · Last reviewed
General information only, not advice for your project. Amarillo Prime Roofing does not advise on, design or manage projects; the contractor you choose does.
Who does what in a hail roof claim?
You file the claim, the insurer's adjuster inspects, a roofer writes the estimate, and a public adjuster represents you only if you hire one.
- You file the claim with your insurance company as soon as you can, with photos and video of the damage.
- The insurance company's adjuster visits to see the damage; be there so they see everything.
- A roofing company measures the roof and writes a repair or replacement estimate. Texas doesn't allow a roofer or contractor to act as a public insurance adjuster on claims for work it is doing, or to advertise that it would.
- A public adjuster, if you hire one, negotiates with your insurer to settle the claim and is licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance.
Replacement cost or actual cash value: which does your policy pay?
Replacement cost coverage pays up to the full cost to repair the roof at current prices; actual cash value coverage pays less if the roof is older or showing wear. Check which one you have before a storm. As roofs age, some companies switch to actual cash value, so look for coverage changes at renewal. With replacement cost coverage, the company pays with two checks: a partial first payment, and the rest after repairs have started.
How does the deductible work on a roof claim?
A deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance company pays, and it may be a dollar amount or a percentage. An example: on a home insured for $150,000, a $500 deductible leaves $6,000 paid on a $6,500 roof repair, while a 5 percent deductible of $7,500 pays nothing on the same repair. Ask your agent whether your wind and hail deductible differs from the one for other damage.
Texas law requires homeowners to pay their insurance deductible. A contractor may not waive or rebate it. Your insurer may ask for proof that you paid it.
What does a public adjuster cost, and what can't they do?
Public adjusters in Texas can charge up to 10% of the total amount the insurance company pays on the claim, and you can ask for the fee as a dollar amount in the contract. You have 72 hours after signing to cancel. They can't act as your contractor, knock on your door asking for business during a natural disaster or after 9 p.m., or take referral fees from contractors. The Texas Department of Insurance Help Line at 800-252-3439 can tell you whether one is licensed.
What should you keep in mind about the roof itself?
Your insurance company won't pay for a new roof just because it's old or worn out, and it may give a discount for roofing materials less likely to be damaged by wind, hail or fire. If the roof is replaced, Amarillo requires a permit and a registered roofer; see hail-damaged roofs and the permit guide.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance: hail damage to your home or car, September 17, 2026
- Texas Department of Insurance: roofing and insurance, know the law, September 17, 2026
- Texas Department of Insurance: insurance and your roof, September 17, 2026
- Texas Department of Insurance: what to know about deductibles, September 17, 2026
- Texas Department of Insurance: public adjusters, September 17, 2026
- NOAA National Weather Service Amarillo: climate narrative, September 17, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Does the roofer file my hail claim?
No. You file the claim with your own insurance company, and the roofer writes a repair or replacement estimate. If you want someone to represent you with the insurer, that is a public adjuster or an attorney, never the roofer doing the work.
Who answers insurance questions in Texas?
The Texas Department of Insurance, at 800-252-3439. It can also tell you whether a public adjuster is licensed and how many complaints have been filed.
Planning a new roof or a repair?
Send one request and we come back to you with our vetted local roofing pro in Amarillo for a written quote.