Everything a Shreveport or Bossier City homeowner needs to know about filing a storm damage roof claim — in plain English, step by step.
After a hail or wind storm rolls through Northwest Louisiana, the roof isn't the only thing that gets complicated — the insurance claim does too. This guide walks you through the whole process the way we handle it for our customers, so you know exactly what happens next, what your insurer owes you, and where homeowners usually get shortchanged.
Keep this page bookmarked, or download the printable PDF to keep with your policy documents.
Here's what a claim looks like when Indemnity Roofing is in your corner. We handle the roofing side and the paperwork side — you make one phone call to your insurer and pay your deductible. That's it.
Free storm inspection
Call us as soon as you suspect damage. A trained inspector walks your roof, checks the attic and soft metals, and tells you honestly whether you have a claim worth filing. No charge, no pressure.
Photo & written damage report
We photograph every slope, mark hail hits, lifted shingles, and wind creases, and put it all in a written Storm Inspection & Insurance Report you can hand straight to your insurer.
File your claim
You call the claims number on your policy (we'll sit with you if you'd like). Give them the date of the storm and say you have a contractor's inspection report ready.
Adjuster meeting — we're there
Your insurance company sends an adjuster to look at the roof. We meet them on site, walk the roof with them, and make sure every item in our report is seen and discussed.
Scope & supplements
The insurer issues a scope of work and an estimate. We compare it line by line to what the roof actually needs and submit a supplement for anything missed — code items, ventilation, flashing, decking.
Roof installation
Once the scope is approved, we schedule your job. Most homes are torn off and re-roofed in a single day, and we protect landscaping, pools, and driveways while we work.
Final invoice & depreciation release
After the work is complete we send the final invoice to your insurer so they release the recoverable depreciation they held back. You pay your deductible — nothing more.
Warranty & records
You get your workmanship warranty, manufacturer warranty registration, and a copy of every photo and document from your claim for your records.
This guide is general information from an experienced roofing contractor, not legal or insurance advice. Every policy is different — read yours and ask your agent about anything specific.
Straight answers to the questions we hear most from Louisiana homeowners.
Your deductible is the portion of the loss you pay before insurance pays the rest. It's the only out-of-pocket cost on an approved claim — the insurer pays the remaining balance directly. Check your declarations page for the amount; many Louisiana policies list a separate, higher deductible for hurricanes or named storms.
Many Louisiana homeowners policies have a separate deductible that applies when damage is caused by a hurricane or a storm the National Weather Service has named. It's usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage (commonly 2%–5%) rather than a flat dollar amount, so it can be much larger than your standard deductible. Ordinary hail and wind storms typically fall under your regular deductible.
Actual Cash Value (ACV) is the replacement cost minus depreciation for the age and condition of your roof. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) is the full cost to replace it with new materials. Most RCV policies pay the ACV first, then release the withheld depreciation once the work is completed and invoiced. ACV-only policies don't release the depreciation, so your out-of-pocket cost is higher.
No — and you should walk away from any contractor who offers to. Louisiana law prohibits contractors from waiving, rebating, or absorbing an insurance deductible, and doing so can be treated as insurance fraud. We'll never offer it, and it's one of the biggest red flags when choosing a storm roofer.
No. You have the right to choose your own licensed contractor in Louisiana. Insurance companies may suggest a preferred vendor, but the choice is yours, and a contractor who works for you rather than the insurer is far more likely to make sure every item of damage is included in the scope.
A supplement is a request to add items the adjuster's original estimate missed or underpaid — things like decking replacement, drip edge, ice-and-water shield, ventilation, or local code upgrades. We prepare the supplement with photos and documentation and submit it to your insurer on your behalf.
Most claims run 3–6 weeks from filing to installation: about a week to get an adjuster on site, a week or two for the scope and any supplements, then scheduling. After a major storm, adjuster backlogs can stretch that out. We keep you updated at every step so you're never guessing.
Denials and low estimates happen, and they're often not the end of the road. We can request a re-inspection with our report in hand, submit additional documentation, or supplement the missed items. If the insurer still won't budge, Louisiana homeowners can request mediation through the Louisiana Department of Insurance or hire a licensed public adjuster.
As soon as it's safe. Hidden damage lets water in with every rain that follows, and most policies require you to report damage promptly. Your policy will also list a time limit for filing; a free inspection right after the storm protects your roof and your claim.
It can vary. Weather-related claims are generally treated differently from claims caused by neglect, but every carrier sets its own rules. If you're unsure, ask your agent before you file — our free inspection tells you first whether the damage is worth a claim at all.
Yes. Older roofs carry more depreciation (which affects an ACV payout) and some Louisiana carriers now write roof-age limits or ACV-only roof coverage into their policies. Check your declarations page or ask your agent, and we'll give you an honest read on whether your roof qualifies.
Stay off the roof. Photograph any visible damage from the ground, cover active leaks with a tarp or bucket, keep receipts for any emergency work, and call us for a free inspection before you call your insurer — that way you file with the full picture.
Start with a free, no-pressure inspection. If you have damage, we'll give you a full photo report you can file with. If you don't, we'll tell you that too. Learn more about how our claim help works, or read about storm & hail damage repair.
Free inspection, full documentation, and a team that meets your adjuster on the roof.
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