Understanding Roof Insurance Claims in the KC Metro
The Kansas City metro straddles two states, and every insurance policy is different. The claim process usually follows a similar pattern on both sides of the state line, but your own policy and your insurer set the rules for your claim. You file the claim and deal with your insurer; a roofer can document the damage for you.
This guide walks through the usual steps, from discovering damage to the final payment, and the questions to ask along the way.
Step 1: Document the Damage Right Away
Before you touch anything or make temporary repairs, document everything:
- Take photos and video of all exterior damage (roof, siding, gutters, windows, outdoor furniture)
- Note the date and time of the storm
- Check with neighbors to see if they have damage too
- Save any weather alerts or hail reports for your area
- Photograph your vehicles if they were parked outside
Date-stamped photos give you your own record of what happened.
Step 2: Make Temporary Repairs Only
If you have active leaks, take reasonable steps to prevent further damage: buckets under leaks, moving belongings, and covering broken windows. Keep all receipts for temporary repairs and ask your insurer whether they are covered.
Ask your insurer before making permanent repairs. It may want to see the damage first.
Step 3: Report the Damage Promptly
Call your insurance company to report the damage:
- Have your policy number ready
- Describe the storm event (date, type of severe weather, approximate hail size if applicable)
- Get your claim number and the name of your adjuster
- Ask about your deductible and how long you have to report damage and complete repairs
Time limits differ from policy to policy, so check your policy or ask your insurer rather than relying on a general rule, and don't wait.
Step 4: Get the Damage Documented by a Roofer
It helps to have a reputable local roofing contractor look at the damage and give you photos, a written report and an estimate. That gives you your own record to compare with the adjuster's findings.
At Tucci Roofing Co., estimates are free, and we document the damage with photos and a written report you can give your insurer.
Step 5: The Adjuster's Inspection
Your insurer may send an adjuster to look at the property. Good practice:
- Be home for the inspection if you can.
- Share your own photos and the roofer's written report with the adjuster, so damage on steep or complex roofs is not missed
- Note what the adjuster looks at and any damage they identify
Step 6: Review the Insurance Estimate
After the inspection, your insurer may send a scope of work and a payment estimate. Review it carefully:
- Compare it line by line with your roofer's estimate
- Check that all damaged areas are included (roof, gutters, siding, etc.)
- Check the measurements and the materials listed
- Look for items that are easy to leave out: ice and water shield, starter strip, drip edge, pipe boots
Step 7: Ask Questions if Something Is Missing
If you think the estimate leaves out damage, ask your insurer how to have it reviewed again and what documentation it needs. You deal with your insurer directly; our photos and written report are yours to share.
Step 8: Complete Repairs and Final Payment
Many policies pay a roof claim in more than one payment — for example, an actual cash value payment first and the rest after the work is done. Whether yours works that way depends on your policy, so check it or ask your insurer what it needs to release any remaining payment.
Missouri and Kansas: Where to Get Answers
- Insurance questions: your policy and your insurer come first. Each state also has an insurance department that answers consumer questions: the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance and the Kansas Insurance Department.
- Contractor rules: licensing and registration requirements for contractors differ between the two states and from city to city; your city can tell you what applies.
Common Insurance Claim Mistakes
- Making permanent repairs before asking your insurer
- Accepting the first estimate without comparing it with a roofer's assessment
- Signing a contract with a storm chaser before getting multiple estimates
- Waiting too long to report damage
- Not asking questions when the estimate seems to miss damage
- Depositing the insurance check without reviewing the scope
Have storm damage? Get a free estimate or call (816) 589-8629. We document the damage with photos and a written report you can give your insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have to pay anything out of pocket for storm damage repairs?
That depends on your policy and on what your insurer approves. Your deductible is your share; check your policy for the amount, which may be separate for wind and hail. Be wary of any contractor who offers to waive or absorb your deductible, and ask your insurer about it before you agree to anything.
What if my insurance denies my claim?
Ask your insurer to explain the decision in writing and what you can do next, such as asking for a re-inspection or providing more documentation. If you have questions about how your claim was handled, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance and the Kansas Insurance Department take consumer questions.
How long does the entire insurance claim process take?
It varies with the insurer, the size of the claim and how busy things are after a storm. How long the roof work itself takes depends on the size and pitch of the roof, the condition of the decking, and the weather; we tell you the plan before the project starts.
Do I have to use the contractor my insurer suggests?
Ask your insurer. Insurers may suggest contractors they work with; check your policy and ask whether using a different contractor changes anything for your claim.