How a Hail Damage Roof Claim Works in Kentucky (Step by Step)

Oct 12

5 min read

Hail moves through the Louisville area most springs, and April and May are the busiest months. A storm can damage a roof without leaving anything you'd notice from the driveway. If you think your roof was hit, here's how the insurance process usually works in Kentucky, and what the law says about the contractor you hire.

This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy is the final word, so read it or ask your agent.

Step 1: Check from the ground, not the ladder

Don't climb onto a wet or damaged roof. From the ground, look for:

Dents in gutters, downspouts, window wraps or the AC unit's fins
Granules (they look like coarse sand) washing out of the downspouts
Shingle pieces in the yard
Dings on cars, the mailbox or outdoor furniture

Dents on soft metal are a good sign the hail was big enough to damage shingles. If you see them, it's worth having the roof itself checked.

Step 2: Write down the date and take photos

Note the date of the storm. Photograph anything you can see from the ground, along with any water stains inside. A dated record makes the claim easier, whoever ends up looking at it.

Step 3: Get the roof inspected

A roofer gets on the roof and checks each slope for the marks hail leaves: bruised or cracked shingles, spots where the granules have been knocked off, and dents in vents, flashing and ridge caps. A good inspection comes with photos, so you can see the damage yourself instead of taking someone's word for it.

At 3 Peaks, the roof inspection is free. You get photos of what we find, and a written estimate if work is needed. If we don't find storm damage, we'll tell you, and you won't have spent anything.

Step 4: You file the claim with your insurer

If there's damage, you contact your insurance company to open the claim, by phone, app or through your agent. The policy is between you and your insurer, so the claim is yours to file.

Your policy has a section usually called "Duties after loss." It tells you what you have to do and by when. Some policies set short deadlines for reporting damage and for disputing a decision, so don't sit on it.

Step 5: The adjuster inspects the roof

The insurance company sends an adjuster to look at the damage and write up what they think the policy covers. Kentucky law allows your roofer to talk with the insurance company's representative about the damage once you've filed the claim. Many homeowners like having their roofer there for the adjuster visit, so both are looking at the same thing.

Step 6: Read the decision and the estimate

The insurer sends a decision and its estimate, sometimes called a "scope of loss." A few terms you'll likely see:

Deductible: the part of the claim you pay. It's on your policy's declarations page. Some policies have a separate wind and hail deductible, often a percentage of the home's insured value instead of a flat amount.
ACV (actual cash value): what the damaged roof was worth after age and wear.
RCV (replacement cost value): what it costs to replace it new.
Recoverable depreciation: on many replacement-cost policies, the insurer pays the ACV first and releases the rest after the work is done.

If something in the estimate looks wrong or missing, ask your insurer to explain it. You can ask for a re-inspection.

Step 7: Sign with a roofer, and know your rights

Kentucky has specific rules for roof contracts that are paid for by insurance (KRS 367.620 to 367.628). Before you sign, it helps to know them:

You can cancel if the claim is denied. If your insurer tells you in writing that all or part of the claim isn't covered, you can cancel the roofing contract before midnight of the fifth business day after you get that notice. The contractor has to give you this in writing, with a cancellation form attached to the contract.
No advance payment during that window. A roofing contractor can't require advance payments on an insurance-paid roof contract until that cancellation period has expired. If you cancel, any deposit has to be returned within ten days. The one exception is repair work you authorized, such as emergency tarping, which the roofer can charge a reasonable amount for.
Nobody can "cover your deductible." It's illegal in Kentucky for a roofing contractor to offer to pay or rebate any part of your deductible, or to give you a discount or allowance against the contract, to get the job.
Gifts over $100 are off-limits. A roofer can't give you a bonus, credit, gift, prize or referral fee worth more than $100.
A roofer can't negotiate your claim for you. A roofing contractor can't represent you or negotiate on your behalf with your insurance company, or advertise that they will. They can give you an estimate and talk with the insurer's representative about the damage. If you want someone to negotiate the claim for you, that's a licensed public adjuster.

Step 8: The work, and the final payment

Once the roof is done, your roofer gives you the final invoice and completion paperwork. If your policy holds back recoverable depreciation, you send that to your insurer to release the rest of the payment. Then you pay the roofer, including your deductible.

Red flags after a storm

Out-of-town crews show up after big hailstorms. Be careful with anyone who:

Offers to waive, cover or "work around" your deductible. That's illegal in Kentucky.
Says they'll negotiate with your insurance company for you.
Wants a large deposit before your claim is decided.
Won't give you a local address, a written contract and the cancellation notice the law requires.
Pressures you to sign that day.

Common questions

Will filing a hail claim raise my rates?

It depends on your insurer and your claim history. Weather claims are usually treated differently from claims you could have prevented, but ask your agent how your company handles them.

What if the adjuster says there's no damage?

Ask for the decision in writing and the reasons. You can ask for a re-inspection, and send your roofer's photos to your insurer. If all or part of the claim is denied, Kentucky law lets you cancel an insurance-contingent roofing contract within five business days of that written notice.

Can my roofer meet the adjuster?

Yes. Once you've filed the claim, Kentucky law allows a roofing contractor to talk with the insurance company's representative about the damage. What a roofer can't do is represent you or negotiate your claim.

How do I know if hail was big enough to damage my roof?

Dents in gutters, downspouts and AC fins are a good clue. The only way to know is to have the roof itself checked.

Get a free storm damage inspection

3 Peaks Roofing is locally owned and operated and inspects roofs for hail and wind damage across Louisville, Jefferson County, Bullitt and Oldham counties and Southern Indiana. Call 502-864-7663 (Monday to Saturday, 7 AM to 5 PM) or request your free inspection. You'll get photos of what we find and a written estimate. See also: hail damage, wind damage, insurance claims.