Storm-Damaged Roof? Insurance & Replacement Guide for Buyers, Sellers & Agents

Brick home in the Shreveport area with a newly replaced shingle roof

Hail and wind storms roll through Northwest Louisiana and East Texas every year, and many roofs carry damage their owners never noticed. That damage matters when you're living in the home, and it matters even more when you're buying or selling one.

This guide is written for:

Homeowners wondering whether an older storm is behind their roof problems
Sellers getting ready to list a home
Buyers whose inspection report flagged the roof
Real estate agents trying to keep a deal on track
Contractors and remodelers who spot roof problems on their own jobs

We're Indemnity Roofing & Construction, a Louisiana-licensed roofing contractor (License #76747) based in Shreveport. We inspect and replace roofs. We're not your insurance company, and we're not your lawyer. This guide shares general information so you can make informed decisions; your policy and your own advisors have the final word.

Why the roof matters so much in a home sale

It's one of the first things inspectors flag. Missing shingles, soft decking, or signs of past leaks can stall negotiations.
It affects insurance. Many insurers look closely at roof age and condition before writing a new policy, and some limit coverage on older roofs. Buyers need insurance to close.
It affects price and repair requests. A damaged roof often turns into a credit, a price reduction, or a repair demand.
A newer roof is a selling point. Listings with a recently replaced roof give buyers one less thing to worry about.

Home with a new roof and an Indemnity Roofing yard sign in the Shreveport-Bossier area

What about damage from a storm months or years ago?

Storm damage often goes unnoticed for a long time. Here's what to keep in mind:

Policies have deadlines. Most homeowners policies require prompt notice of damage and set time limits for claims. Check your policy or ask your agent before assuming it's too late — or that there's plenty of time.
The claim generally belongs to whoever owned the home when the storm hit. Buyers usually can't file on their new policy for damage that happened before they owned the home. Sellers who suspect storm damage should look into it before listing.
Documentation matters more with older damage. Dated photos, storm dates, and a professional inspection report help show what caused the damage.
Not all roof wear is storm damage. Age, poor ventilation, and normal wear aren't covered. An honest inspection should tell you which is which.

Shreveport roof opened down to the framing to repair serious structural damage — During repair

The same Shreveport home after the roof structure was repaired and a new roof installed — After

Damage that goes past the shingles means repairing the framing and decking before a new roof goes on.

Signs your roof may have storm damage

Most storm damage can't be seen from the ground. Watch for these clues:

Water stains on ceilings, ceiling tiles, or at the tops of walls
Dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents, or the AC unit
Granules collecting in gutters or at downspout outlets
Missing, creased, or lifted shingles, especially on the side that faced the wind
Dark, round spots on shingles where hail knocked granules off
Damp insulation or daylight in the attic
Neighbors getting new roofs after the same storm

Hail hits on asphalt shingles circled in chalk during a roof inspection in Shreveport

Hail marks on metal flashing highlighted with chalk on a Shreveport roof

Hail dents on roof valley metal marked with chalk on a Shreveport home

Hail hits circled in chalk during Shreveport inspections: on shingles, flashing, and valley metal. Most of this can't be seen from the ground.

Brown water stains on ceiling tiles from a roof leak in Shreveport

Water-damaged ceiling tiles caused by a roof leak in Bossier City

Ceiling stains like these usually mean water has been getting through the roof for a while.

Please don't climb on the roof to look. A free professional inspection is safer and catches what you can't see. Learn more on our hail and storm damage page.

Pros and cons of filing a roof insurance claim

Pros

Covered storm damage may be paid for, minus your deductible
A full replacement is sometimes covered when damage is widespread
A new roof can help a sale and make the home easier to insure
Hidden damage gets fixed before it causes leaks, rot, or mold

Cons

You pay the deductible, and named-storm deductibles can be much higher
Claims go on your record and may affect future premiums or coverage
Claims can be denied or underpaid, especially without good documentation
It takes time — often weeks, longer after big storms
Upgrades and wear aren't covered, so some costs may be yours

Our advice: get a free inspection first. If there's no real storm damage, you'll know before anything goes on your record. If there is, you'll have photos and documentation ready. Talk with your insurance agent about how a claim could affect your policy.

Who does what in a roof insurance claim

Knowing who plays which role protects you and keeps everything above board.

Who	Works for	What they do
Your insurance company's adjuster	The insurance company	Inspects the damage and decides what the policy pays
Your roofing contractor	You, as the customer	Inspects and documents roof damage, provides a repair scope and estimate, meets the adjuster to show the damage, and does the work
A licensed public adjuster (optional)	You	Can evaluate and help you with your claim for a fee. Must be licensed, and in Louisiana can't also do the repairs
An attorney (optional)	You	Can advise you and represent you if a claim is wrongly denied or underpaid

A reputable roofer documents the roof and stands behind its own estimate, but it shouldn't tell you what your policy covers or negotiate your claim for you. If a roofer promises that, be cautious.

Indemnity Roofing inspector meeting an insurance adjuster on a roof in Shreveport to document storm damage

An Indemnity inspector meeting the insurance adjuster on the roof to walk through the storm damage together.

If your claim is denied or underpaid

Ask for the decision in writing and read the reason.
Request a re-inspection, with your roofer's photos and report available.
Review your policy for an appraisal clause or dispute process.
Contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance (or the Texas Department of Insurance) about complaints and mediation options.
Consider a licensed public adjuster or an attorney if you need someone to represent you.

For the full step-by-step process, read our Louisiana Roof Insurance Claim Guide.

What to look for in a roofing company

After a storm, you'll hear from a lot of roofers. Here's a checklist:

A state license you can look up. In Louisiana, check the State Licensing Board for Contractors. Ours is #76747.
A local address and local references. You want them around for warranty work.
A thorough inspection with photos of every slope, soft metals, and the attic.
A clear, written estimate and scope of work.
Willingness to meet your adjuster on site to show the damage.
Proof of insurance and written warranties on workmanship and materials.
Honest answers, including "you don't need a new roof."

Red flags

Offers to waive, pay, or "cover" your deductible. That's illegal in Louisiana.
Pressure to sign on the spot, or contracts tied to what insurance approves.
Promises to handle, negotiate, or "win" your claim. That's a job for a licensed public adjuster or attorney.
Large cash payments up front.
No local office or a license you can't verify.

Indemnity Roofing crew tearing off old shingles down to the decking in Shreveport

A full tear-off lets the crew inspect and repair the decking before the new roof goes on.

How Indemnity Roofing helps

Free, honest inspections with photos, including the attic and soft metals
A written Storm Inspection Report you can keep, share with your agent, or give your insurer
We meet your adjuster on site to walk the roof and show them the damage
We stand behind our estimate and document anything missing from the repair scope
Quality installation with manufacturer and workmanship warranties
Local offices in Shreveport, Tyler, Midland, and Baton Rouge

Aerial view of a Shreveport home during roof replacement with new underlayment installed — During

Aerial view of the same Shreveport home with its completed new shingle roof — After

Mid-install with new underlayment on, and the finished roof.

For real estate agents and contractors

We work with agents and contractors across Shreveport-Bossier and East Texas. We can:

Inspect a roof before listing so sellers aren't surprised by the buyer's inspection
Provide a photo-documented roof condition report for your transaction
Give clear repair or replacement quotes for negotiations
Schedule quickly when a closing date is on the line
Take care of the roof when your own project uncovers a problem

Call (888) 334-9155 to set up an inspection for a client or a project.

Aerial view of a completed roof replacement on a lakefront home near Shreveport-Bossier

Frequently asked questions

Can I still file a claim for storm damage from a past storm?

Possibly, but policies have notice requirements and time limits. Check your policy or ask your insurance agent. A professional inspection can help show when and how the damage happened.

I'm buying a home and the inspector flagged the roof. Can I file a claim after closing?

Generally, claims for damage that happened before you owned the home belong to the owner at the time of the storm. Talk with your agent about handling the roof before closing, such as a repair, replacement, or credit.

Should a seller replace the roof before listing?

It depends on the roof's condition, the market, and whether there's storm damage. A pre-listing inspection shows where you stand so you can decide on repair, replacement, or pricing before a buyer's inspector finds it.

Will filing a claim raise my insurance premium?

It can. Claims go on your insurance history and may affect future premiums or coverage, depending on your insurer. Ask your agent before filing, and get a free inspection first so you know whether there's real damage.

What does my roofer do in the claim?

A roofer inspects and documents the damage, provides a repair estimate, meets the adjuster on site to show the damage, and does the work. A roofer shouldn't interpret your policy or negotiate the claim for you.

What if my insurance company denies or underpays my claim?

Ask for the decision in writing, request a re-inspection with your documentation, review your policy's dispute or appraisal process, and contact your state's Department of Insurance. You can also hire a licensed public adjuster or an attorney to represent you.

Can a roofer pay my deductible?

No. Waiving, rebating, or absorbing an insurance deductible is illegal in Louisiana, and you should avoid any contractor who offers it.

How much does a roof inspection cost?

Indemnity Roofing's roof inspections are free, including a photo-documented report.

Get a free roof inspection

Whether you're living in the home, selling it, buying it, or working on it, start with the facts. Call (888) 334-9155 or request a free inspection online.

This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Coverage depends on your specific policy. Consult your insurance agent, a licensed public adjuster, or an attorney about your situation.

Storm-Damaged Roof? What Homeowners, Buyers, Sellers & Agents Should Know