Kentucky averages dozens of severe weather events per year — wind, hail, ice, and occasional tornadoes can damage your roof in minutes. If your roof has been damaged by a storm, you may be entitled to a full replacement paid largely by your insurance company. But the claims process is full of landmines: missing documentation, adjuster lowballs, missed supplements, and tight filing windows can all cost you thousands. White Services Group has helped hundreds of Central Kentucky homeowners navigate insurance claims since 1996. Here’s the step-by-step guide to doing it right.
Step 1 — Document the Damage Immediately
The moment it’s safe to do so after a storm, document everything. Photograph your roof from multiple angles (even from the ground). Document any interior damage — ceiling stains, wet insulation, damaged drywall. Note the date and time of the storm. If you have weather service alerts or news reports, save them. This initial documentation is critical. Adjusters are trained to distinguish pre-existing wear from storm-specific damage — your timestamped photos establish a clear before/after timeline that protects your claim from the start.
Step 2 — Call a Roofing Contractor Before the Adjuster
This is the single most valuable piece of advice we give homeowners. Call a roofing contractor you trust before you call your insurance company. Why? Because your initial claim sets the scope. If you call your insurer first, an adjuster may come out and assess damage before anyone has done a thorough contractor inspection. Adjusters are not roofing experts — they work quickly and may miss items. A contractor who knows what to look for can document hail dents on flashing, ridge vents, and gutters that adjusters overlook. We do free storm damage inspections, document everything in writing, and accompany adjuster visits when needed.
Step 3 — File Your Claim Promptly
Most Kentucky homeowners policies have a claim filing window of 1–2 years from the date of damage. Don’t wait. File as soon as you’ve documented the damage and spoken to a contractor. When you call your insurer, have your policy number, the date of the storm, and your initial documentation ready. Ask specifically about Replacement Cost Value (RCV) vs. Actual Cash Value (ACV) coverage — the difference matters significantly for what you receive. RCV policies pay the full cost of replacement after depreciation is recovered; ACV policies only pay the depreciated value.
Step 4 — Be Present for the Adjuster Visit
When the adjuster comes out, be there — or have your contractor there. Walk the adjuster through all documented damage point by point. Adjusters work fast, often on dozens of claims after a major storm event. Important damage gets missed when no one is there to advocate. If you’ve hired a roofing contractor to document the damage, ask them to attend the adjuster visit. We do this for our customers regularly — it results in larger, more accurate initial claim approvals and fewer supplements required after the fact.
Step 5 — Review the Adjuster’s Scope Carefully
When you receive the adjuster’s estimate, compare it line by line to what your contractor documented. Missing items — gutters, flashing, ridge vents, skylights, chimney caps — should be supplemented in writing. Supplemental claims are normal and expected. Don’t just accept the first scope if it doesn’t match your contractor’s assessment. We help our customers identify and submit supplements regularly. A missed supplement on a large claim can be worth $2,000–$8,000. Insurance companies do not penalize you for filing a supplement; it’s a standard part of the process.
Understanding Depreciation and Your Deductible
Insurance claim payments often come in two rounds. The first check covers the Actual Cash Value — replacement cost minus depreciation. Once the work is complete, you submit for the Recoverable Depreciation and receive a second check. Your deductible is subtracted from the total. Be wary of any contractor who offers to waive your deductible — it’s insurance fraud and can void your coverage. Understand what you owe and what insurance pays before you sign any contract. A legitimate contractor will walk you through the numbers clearly and never ask you to misrepresent anything to your insurer.
Red Flags: Storm Chasers
After every significant storm in Central Kentucky, out-of-state crews arrive door-to-door offering “free inspections” and asking you to sign Assignments of Benefit immediately. Don’t sign anything from someone you didn’t call. Storm chaser crews often do substandard work and disappear when warranty claims arise. Use a local, licensed contractor with a permanent office and a track record in your community — someone who will be there if there’s ever a problem.
Free Storm Damage Inspection
We document everything, handle the adjuster, and make sure your claim is complete — at no charge to you.
