Most homeowners’ first instinct after a storm is to call their insurance company. It feels like the logical step – you’ve paid your premiums, so why not get the ball rolling on your claim right away?
But here’s the hard truth: calling insurance first can actually hurt your chances of getting a fair payout. Adjusters are trained to minimize claims, and without a roofer’s inspection to document the full scope of damage, you risk being talked into a patch job, discouraged from filing altogether, or left with a denial on record. In other words, the very first call you make could be the reason your roof never gets fully repaired—or why you’re stuck covering the costs yourself.
At Hoel Roofing, we have helped many Indiana homeowners navigate the aftermath of a storm, including assessing the damage, managing their investment, and making repairs or even replacements. We have provided guidance on the amount of coverage they’ll receive, the level of stress associated with the process, and how they can protect themselves.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process, walking you through who to call first, what happens if you contact your insurance company first, and a step-by-step guide to filing a roof insurance claim, so you know exactly what to do.
A trustworthy roofer can inspect the damage and inform you if it’s the type of issue that insurance typically covers.
It is important to call a roofer first because many insurance agents will try as much as possible to keep claims to a minimum. If you call them before knowing the full scope of your roof’s damage, they may try to talk you out of filing a claim at all when you may need a claim.
Therefore, it is advisable to contact a roofer to assess the damage, determine the cost of repair, and find out if insurance typically covers this type of damage. Additionally, it may be a better choice to pay for the repair yourself.
If you go straight to your insurer, you risk getting talked into shortcuts. An insurance representative may:
There’s only one: if you don’t know a roofer you can trust, your insurance agent may recommend one. This may help you avoid dealing with a roofing salesman who is just trying to make a sale, as opposed to being very helpful to you.
In our experience insurance companies don’t always suggest the best roofers. The suggested roofer may be tied to the insurance company’s interests, not yours, and may be more likely to agree with the insurance company’s limited payout and not what your roof actually needs. However, in a case where they do recommend a good roofer to you, it would be helpful in the long run.
If you call a good roofer, there are no risks. If, however, you hire an unethical roofer, they may prioritize maximizing their profit at your expense, pressure you into filing unnecessary claims, or even create damage that wasn’t there. By exaggerating or fabricating damage, they can justify charging for more work than is truly needed.
This is problematic because if the claim gets flagged as suspicious or fraudulent, you’re the one left dealing with higher premiums, dropped coverage, or even legal trouble, and not the roofing contractor.
That’s why it’s important to choose a reputable company with a proven track record of integrity and transparency.
Some signs of a trustworthy roofer are:
By keeping an eye out for these traits, you can confidently call a roofer first and know you’re working with someone who puts your home, not their profit, first.
Tip: Call a reputable roofer for a documented inspection first. Request dated photos, notes on the cause (hail/wind vs. wear), a repair/replacement estimate, and a simple plan that you can present to the adjuster.
Here’s what the process looks like when you start with a roofer:
After a storm, roofing companies often flood neighborhoods with offers of “quick fixes.” Some are trustworthy, but others may be storm chasers looking to take advantage of homeowners in a stressful moment. Here’s how to make sure you’re calling the right roofer:
By following these steps, you’ll separate reputable local contractors from storm chasers, and ensure your roof gets fixed by someone you can count on long after the storm has passed.
Here at Hoel Roofing we have guided many families through the process of filing insurance claims. However, you deserve to know what other roofing companies are available to make an informed choice. There are many roofing contractors in the Indiana area who can work with. You can check out our guide on The Best Roofing Companies In Indiana to find out who they are and what their coverage areas are, but if you’re in East Central Indiana, we hope you’ll choose us to be your partners in navigating your insurance process and reclaiming the safety of your roof and home.
Toyosi Ogunsola is the Content Manager at Hoel Roofing & Remodeling in Rushville, IN, where she oversees the creation of educational, trustworthy content about roofing, remodeling, and home improvement. With a master’s degree in Emerging Media Design and Development and a background spanning content strategy, UX research, and digital marketing, Toyosi combines data-driven insights with clear, engaging writing to help homeowners make informed decisions. Passionate about translating complex roofing topics into helpful resources, she works closely with Hoel’s team of roofing experts to ensure every piece of content is accurate, practical, and user-focused.
