If a hail storm, wind event, or severe weather has damaged your roof in Middle Tennessee, filing a roof insurance claim can feel overwhelming. This guide walks you through the process step by step so you can protect your home and your claim.

Step 1: Document the Damage Before Anything Else

The most important thing you can do immediately after a storm is document the damage while it’s fresh. Take photographs and video of your roof, gutters, siding, windows, and any interior water damage. Date-stamp everything if possible.

This is one of the key advantages of a drone roof inspection: you receive a professionally documented, timestamped AI report within 48 hours that shows the exact condition of your roof at a specific point in time. Insurance adjusters rely on dated documentation when evaluating claims.

Step 2: Review Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Before you call your insurer, understand what you’re working with. Key things to check:

• Deductible amount — Tennessee policies often have a separate wind/hail deductible that is higher than your standard deductible.
• Replacement Cost Value (RCV) vs. Actual Cash Value (ACV) — RCV policies pay to replace your roof at today’s prices. ACV policies subtract depreciation, which can significantly reduce your payout.
• Exclusions — Some policies exclude cosmetic damage or have age limits on roof coverage.
• Filing deadlines — Most Tennessee insurers require you to file within one year of the damage event, but check your specific policy.

Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company

Call your insurer’s claims line and open a claim. You’ll be assigned a claim number and an adjuster will be scheduled to inspect your property. In Tennessee, insurance companies are generally required to acknowledge your claim within 10 working days and issue a coverage decision within 15 working days after receiving all required information.

Step 4: Get an Independent Inspection Before the Adjuster Arrives

This is the step most homeowners skip — and it’s often the most important one. Getting an independent roof inspection before the insurance adjuster arrives gives you:

• A detailed, unbiased record of all damage
• Documentation the adjuster may have missed during a quick visual inspection
• Evidence to support a supplement or appeal if your claim is underpaid

ClickRoof’s drone inspection delivers an AI-generated damage report with high-resolution imagery of every section of your roof. This report is insurance-ready and can be shared directly with your adjuster.

Step 5: Meet with the Insurance Adjuster

You have the right to be present during the adjuster’s inspection. Point out damage you’ve documented. If you have a contractor or public adjuster present, they can advocate on your behalf. Be polite but thorough — don’t assume the adjuster will find everything.

Step 6: Review the Insurance Estimate

Once the adjuster completes their report, you’ll receive an estimate of what the insurer will pay. Compare this carefully against your independent inspection report. If there are discrepancies — missing line items, undervalued materials, or damage that wasn’t accounted for — you can file a supplement.

In Tennessee, if you and your insurer cannot agree on the value of the claim, you have the right to invoke the appraisal process, which brings in a neutral umpire to resolve the dispute.

Step 7: Select Your Roofing Contractor and Schedule Work

Once your claim is approved, you can select your contractor and schedule the replacement. You are not required to use a contractor recommended by your insurer. Choose a licensed Tennessee roofing contractor who pulls permits and provides a written warranty on their work.

Common Mistakes Tennessee Homeowners Make on Roof Insurance Claims

• Waiting too long to file — Policies have deadlines. File promptly after a storm event.
• Not getting an independent inspection — Adjuster estimates are often conservative. Independent documentation protects you.
• Signing an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) — Some contractors ask you to sign away your insurance rights. Avoid this.
• Ignoring interior damage — Water intrusion, attic damage, and mold can be covered. Document all of it.
• Accepting the first estimate without review — Supplements are common and often result in additional payment.

Ready to Start? Get a Free Drone Inspection First.

ClickRoof provides free FAA-certified drone roof inspections for Nashville-area homeowners. Your AI-generated report is delivered within 48 hours — documented, timestamped, and ready to share with your insurance adjuster. No obligation, no pressure, no salesperson on your roof.