Texas Roof Insurance Claims: The Deadline, the Deductible, and What Your Roofer Legally Can’t Do

Central Texas homeowner reviewing a hail damage insurance claim with a Montgomery Roofing inspection report.

Short answer: you generally have two years from the date of the storm to file a Texas roof insurance claim — not two years from when you noticed the damage. It is illegal for a roofing contractor to waive, absorb, or rebate your deductible. And under Texas law, your roofer cannot negotiate your claim with your insurance company, no matter what the guy who knocked on your door after the last storm told you.

That third one surprises people most, so we’ll be direct about it: there are things you may want us to do that we are legally not allowed to do. Here’s the whole picture, with the statutes, so you can check it yourself.

The deadline: two years, and the clock starts at the storm

Texas Insurance Code §542A.003 sets the limitations period for residential property damage claims from forces of nature — hail, wind, tornado, lightning, flood — at two years from the date of loss.

The date of loss is the date the storm happened, confirmed by weather data. Not the date you found the stain on the ceiling. Not the date a roofer climbed up and told you what he saw. Not the date the leak started.

If a hailstorm crossed McLennan County on May 12, 2025, your deadline is May 12, 2027 — even if you didn’t discover the damage until 2026.

Two things make this tighter than it sounds:

Your policy may impose a shorter window. Many Texas policies require prompt notice of a loss, separate from the statutory limitations period. Late notice can be grounds for denial on its own. Read your policy’s reporting requirement, not just the statute.

The pre-suit notice eats 61 days. If your claim is denied or underpaid and you end up needing to sue, Chapter 542A requires written notice to the insurer at least 61 days before filing. That waiting period does not pause the clock. Practically, your real deadline is about two months earlier than the calendar says.

The lesson isn’t “you have plenty of time.” It’s the opposite: get the roof looked at after the storm, not after the ceiling stains.

The deductible: it is not negotiable, and offers to waive it are a crime

Texas Insurance Code Chapter 707 states plainly that a person insured under a property policy shall pay the deductible on a first-party claim.

The Texas Department of Insurance is blunt about what that means for contractors: it is illegal for a contractor to offer to waive, rebate, or absorb a policyholder’s deductible. Violations are a criminal offense, not a technicality — first offenses are prosecutable as a Class B misdemeanor.

The law also requires that contracts of $1,000 or more involving an insurance settlement include a notice that the policyholder must pay the deductible, and it allows insurers to request proof that you actually paid it.

So when a contractor says “don’t worry about your deductible, we’ll take care of it” — three things are true at once:

He is offering to commit a crime.
He is asking you to participate in one.
The money has to come from somewhere. It comes out of your roof — thinner underlayment, skipped flashing, fewer nails per shingle, or an inflated invoice to your carrier. Nobody absorbs $4,000 out of goodwill.

If someone offers this, you can report it to the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508.

The part most roofers won’t tell you: we can’t negotiate your claim

This is the section that costs us business to write, and we’re writing it anyway.

In 2013, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1183, adding §4101.251 and §4102.163 to the Insurance Code. Together they draw a hard line:

An insurance adjuster may not adjust a roofing loss if they’re also a roofing contractor or have a financial interest in a roofing business.
A roofing contractor may not act as a public adjuster, or advertise to adjust claims, for any property where they are providing or may provide roofing services — regardless of whether the contractor holds a public adjuster license.

The logic is straightforward: the person who profits from the repair shouldn’t be the one deciding what the claim is worth.

This was tested and upheld. In Texas Department of Insurance v. Stonewater Roofing, a roofing company challenged these provisions as a violation of free speech. The Texas Supreme Court rejected the challenge and dismissed the case. The law stands.

What that means in practice…

A Texas roofer legally cannot:

  • File your claim for you
  • Negotiate the settlement with your carrier
  • Tell your insurer they represent you, or speak for you on coverage
  • Advertise that they’ll “handle your claim,” “recover every dime you’re owed,” or help you “avoid incorrect settlement pricing” — TDI lists all three as improper

A Texas roofer legally can:

  • Inspect your roof and photo-document the damage before you file
    Give you a written estimate and detailed scope of work
  • Be present when the adjuster inspects, point out documented damage, and answer technical questions
  • Explain what the carrier’s scope does and doesn’t include, so you can raise it yourself
  • Do the actual work

That fourth one matters more than people realize. We can’t argue with your adjuster — but we can make sure you understand what’s on the estimate and what’s missing from it, so you can.

If a contractor’s pitch is that they’ll fight the insurance company for you, that pitch is illegal. It’s also the single most reliable indicator you’re talking to a storm chaser rather than a local company that’ll be here in ten years.

One more thing Texas doesn’t do: license roofers

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation does not license roofing contractors. There’s no state exam, no required registration, no mandatory insurance. As the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas puts it, anyone can call themselves a roofer in Texas.

That’s why the vetting falls to you. What actually exists:

RCAT licensing — a voluntary program requiring two years’ experience, a fixed Texas business address, proof of financial responsibility and insurance, and a passed exam
Manufacturer certifications — like IKO RoofPro or Craftsman Premier, which require verified installation standards and unlock better warranties
Local registration — some Texas cities require contractor registration to pull permits, though requirements vary by jurisdiction

Ask for proof of general liability and workers’ compensation. Texas doesn’t require private employers to carry workers’ comp — and if an uninsured crew member is hurt on your roof, that can become your problem.

The claim sequence that actually works

Get documented first. Have a roofer inspect and photograph the damage before you call your carrier, so a written record exists that predates the claim.
You file the claim. Directly with your insurer. Not your contractor — that’s the part the law reserves for you.
The carrier sends an adjuster. Have your contractor on site to walk the roof with them and answer technical questions.
Review the scope. The carrier produces an itemized estimate. Compare it line by line against your contractor’s scope, and raise any gaps with the carrier yourself.
Pay your deductible. It’s required, and your insurer can ask for proof.
Work gets done. On a replacement cost policy, recoverable depreciation is typically released after completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a roof insurance claim in Texas? Texas Insurance Code §542A.003 sets a two-year limitations period from the date of loss for residential property damage from forces of nature, including hail and wind. The clock starts on the date of the storm, not the date you discovered damage. Your policy may also require prompt notice, which can be a shorter deadline.

Can a roofer waive my insurance deductible in Texas? No. Texas Insurance Code Chapter 707 requires the policyholder to pay the deductible, and it is illegal for a contractor to pay, waive, rebate, or absorb it, or to advertise that they will. Violations can be prosecuted as a criminal offense. Contracts of $1,000 or more involving an insurance settlement must include notice that the policyholder must pay the deductible.

Can my roofing contractor negotiate with my insurance company in Texas? No. Under Texas Insurance Code §4102.163, a roofing contractor may not act as a public adjuster or advertise to adjust claims for any property where they are providing roofing services, regardless of whether they hold a public adjuster license. The Texas Supreme Court upheld this in Texas Department of Insurance v. Stonewater Roofing. Contractors can inspect, document, estimate, and be present during the adjuster’s inspection.

Do roofers need a license in Texas? No. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation does not license roofing contractors, so there is no state exam or registration requirement. The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas offers a voluntary licensing program, and some cities require local contractor registration for permits.

What is the 61-day pre-suit notice in Texas? Under Chapter 542A, a policyholder must give the insurer written notice at least 61 days before filing suit over a weather-related property claim. The notice must state the acts complained of, the amount alleged owed, and attorney’s fees incurred. This period does not pause the limitations clock.

Should I file a claim for minor hail damage? Not always. Texas wind and hail deductibles are commonly 1–3% of your dwelling limit — $4,000 to $12,000 on a $400,000 home. If the damage falls below that, filing produces no payment and still puts a claim on your record. Get an honest inspection first and find out whether the damage clears your deductible.

We’ll tell you what we see, and what we can’t do

Montgomery Roofing has worked Central Texas roofs from Lorena since 1995. We’ll inspect, document, and give you a written estimate at no cost — and we’ll tell you honestly if the damage doesn’t justify a claim.

What we won’t do is promise to fight your carrier for you. That’s not modesty. It’s the law, and anyone promising otherwise is telling you something about how they do business.

Call 254-655-1024 or schedule a free inspection.

Related: Class 4 roof insurance discount in Texas · What a metal roof costs in Central Texas

General information, not legal or insurance advice. Statutes and policy terms change and vary — confirm specifics with your agent or an attorney.

Class 4 Roof Insurance Discount in Texas: What It’s Actually Worth

Class 4 roof insurance discount Texas

Short answer: Texas has required insurers to offer credits for UL 2218 impact-resistant roofing since 1998, and Class 4 roof insurance discount Texas earn the largest credit. But the Texas Department of Insurance does not set the amount; each carrier does, and real-world credits typically run 10–35% off the dwelling portion of your premium. Many carriers attach Endorsement HO-145, which excludes cosmetic hail damage. Getting the credit without understanding that trade-off is how homeowners end up with a hail-resistant roof and no hail coverage.

Why this is worth real money in Central Texas

The Texas Department of Insurance reports the average annual Texas homeowners premium at $3,291, across more than 8.1 million active policies and 158 companies. Independent estimates for 2026 put typical Texas premiums between roughly $3,300 and $4,900.

It got there fast. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas analysis found the median Texas homeowner paid 60% more for home insurance in 2024 than in 2019 — double the national increase of 30% over the same period. The pace has cooled: TDI data shows homeowners premium growth slowing from 18.7% in 2024 to 4.3% in 2025.

A 20% credit on the dwelling portion of a $3,300 premium is not a rounding error. Over a 40-year metal roof, it is real money — and it compounds with the claims you do not file.

How the credit actually works

The rating comes from a lab test, not a salesperson. UL 2218 grades roof coverings Class 1 through 4 by dropping a two-inch steel ball from 20 feet onto the material. To earn Class 4, the covering must show no tearing, cracking, splitting, or rupture. FM 4473 is an accepted alternative that fires ice balls instead. Class 4 is the top rating under both.

Class 4 is a product certification, not a material category. This trips people up constantly: not every metal roof is Class 4. The rating belongs to a specific tested and labeled assembly — panel, gauge, coating, underlayment, and deck. UL does not recognize a panel as Class 4 unless it carries the label. Ask for the manufacturer’s UL 2218 test documentation for the exact system being quoted, not a general claim that “metal is Class 4.”

TDI does not set the discount amount. The department is explicit on its roofing credits page: the amount of discount for each class of roofing material is established by the insurance company, company by company. Each carrier also decides which test criteria it accepts and what paperwork it requires. Anyone promising you a specific percentage before you have talked to your carrier is guessing.

The HO-145 catch

In the same 1998 order that created mandatory roof covering credits for UL 2218 metal roofing, the Commissioner of Insurance also adopted Endorsement HO-145, “Exclusion of Cosmetic Damage to Roof Coverings Caused by Hail,” for attachment to policies receiving those credits. Texas was first in the nation on both counts.

Here is why it matters more for metal than for anything else.

UL 2218 measures cracking and rupture. It does not measure denting. A Class 4 metal panel passes the test by not splitting — it can dent freely and still pass. That is by design; the dent is the panel absorbing energy instead of failing. So the performance characteristic that makes metal excellent in hail is exactly the damage profile a cosmetic exclusion is written to exclude.

Recent analysis of Texas carrier filings found the cosmetic exclusion built into a majority of them. And it usually is not on the declarations page in plain language — it is in the endorsement list, and most homeowners meet it for the first time at claim time.

This is not an argument against metal. It is an argument for reading your policy before the roof goes on, while you still have leverage to shop carriers. If you are still weighing materials, see our metal vs. shingles comparison.

The other thing hiding on your declarations page

Separate from the credit and separate from the exclusion: most Texas policies now carry a wind and hail deductible expressed as a percentage of your dwelling limit rather than a flat dollar amount. Typically 1–2%, sometimes higher.

On a home insured for $400,000, a 2% wind/hail deductible means you pay the first $8,000 of any hail claim. That number reshapes the entire metal-versus-shingles calculation, because a roof that does not generate claims is worth considerably more when each claim starts with an $8,000 bill.

Check three things on your declarations page: the dwelling limit, the wind/hail deductible and whether it is flat or percentage, and the full endorsement list.

How to actually claim the credit

  1. Confirm the rating before installation. Get the manufacturer’s UL 2218 Class 4 documentation for the specific system, gauge, and assembly being installed.
  2. Have your contractor complete TDI Form PC068 — the Impact-Resistant Roofing Installation Form. Most carriers require it as proof. We complete it for every qualifying system we install.
  3. Submit it to your agent, not just your carrier’s app. Ask for written confirmation of the credit amount.
  4. Ask directly whether HO-145 or any cosmetic damage exclusion is required to receive it, and what the premium difference is without it. Sometimes it is small.
  5. Verify it on your next declarations page. Credits are frequently processed at renewal rather than mid-term. If it has not appeared within 60 days, escalate.
  6. Re-shop the whole policy. A new Class 4 roof makes you a better risk to every carrier in Texas, not just your current one. This is the best leverage you will have for years.

Five questions for your agent

Copy these into an email:

  1. What credit will a UL 2218 Class 4 roof earn on my dwelling premium, in dollars?
  2. Is Endorsement HO-145 or any cosmetic damage exclusion required to receive that credit?
  3. What is my wind/hail deductible — flat dollar or a percentage of dwelling limit?
  4. Is my roof coverage replacement cost or actual cash value, and does that change with roof age?
  5. Do you need TDI Form PC068, and does the credit apply at installation or at renewal?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Class 4 roof insurance discount in Texas?

Texas requires carriers to offer credits for UL 2218 impact-resistant roofing, with Class 4 receiving the highest credit, but the Texas Department of Insurance does not set the amount. Each insurer establishes it company by company. Real-world credits commonly run 10–35% off the dwelling coverage portion of the premium.

Does a metal roof qualify for the Class 4 discount in Texas?

Only if the specific product is tested and labeled to UL 2218 Class 4. The rating belongs to a tested assembly, not to metal as a material. Request the manufacturer’s UL 2218 documentation for the exact panel, gauge, and underlayment being installed.

What is Endorsement HO-145 in Texas?

HO-145 is a Texas Department of Insurance endorsement titled “Exclusion of Cosmetic Damage to Roof Coverings Caused by Hail,” adopted in 1998 alongside the impact-resistant roofing credits. It removes coverage for hail damage that affects the roof’s appearance but not its function. Many carriers attach it to policies receiving impact-resistant credits.

Will insurance pay to replace a dented metal roof in Texas?

It depends on your policy. If a cosmetic damage exclusion applies, a dented but watertight metal roof may not be covered, because the damage does not impair function. Dents near seams, fasteners, or coatings can sometimes support a functional damage argument. Check your endorsement list before you need to know.

What is TDI Form PC068?

It is the Texas Department of Insurance Impact-Resistant Roofing Installation Form. Your roofing contractor completes it to document that the installed roof covering meets UL 2218 impact resistance criteria, and you submit it to your agent as proof for the premium credit.

Do Class 4 shingles get the same discount as Class 4 metal?

Generally yes — the credit is tied to the UL 2218 classification, not the material. The practical difference is exposure to cosmetic exclusions, which affects metal roofs far more than shingles because hail dents metal without cracking it.

We handle the paperwork

Montgomery Roofing installs UL 2218 Class 4 systems across Greater Central Texas and completes TDI Form PC068 for every qualifying installation. We will also tell you honestly which system your carrier is most likely to credit.

Call 254-655-1024 or schedule a free inspection. See also: what a metal roof costs in Central Texas.

This article is general information, not insurance advice. Coverage terms, credits, and endorsements vary by carrier and policy — confirm specifics with your licensed agent.

May 2026 Hail Damage in Central Texas: How to Check Your Roof | Montgomery Roofing

hail damage roof repair

Did the May 2026 storms damage your Waco-area roof? Here’s how to spot hail damage, file a smart insurance claim, and avoid storm-chaser contractors.

For six straight days at the end of April 2026, severe thunderstorms rolled across North and Central Texas — bringing hail up to softball size, wind gusts over 60 mph, tornadoes, and flash flooding. The National Weather Service logged more than 280 storm reports across the region between April 24 and April 29, including 226 reports of large hail. The Waco and Limestone County area took a direct hit on the late-night storms of April 28.

If you live in McLennan, Bell, Hill, Bosque, Limestone, Falls, Coryell, Williamson, or Hays County, there’s a good chance your roof felt some of that. The problem is, hail damage isn’t always obvious from the ground — and most homeowners don’t realize the clock is already ticking on their insurance claim.

This guide walks through what to check, what only a roofer can see, how the insurance process actually works, and how to avoid the storm-chaser contractors who flood Central Texas after every big weather event.

Why Time Matters: The 12-Month Insurance Window

Most Texas homeowner’s policies require you to file a hail damage claim within 12 months of the storm. Some carriers are stricter — as little as 180 days. The longer you wait, the harder it gets to prove which storm caused the damage, and the easier it is for an adjuster to deny the claim or attribute it to “normal wear.”

There’s another reason not to wait. Texas leads the nation in hail damage claims. State Farm alone paid $1.4 billion in Texas hail claims last year — more than any other state, and a 27% jump from the year before. Demand for roofers spikes after big events. The homeowners who call early get scheduled first, get adjusters out faster, and get their roofs replaced before the next storm season opens in spring 2027.

If your roof took a hit in April and you haven’t had it inspected, this month is the right time to get on the schedule.

Signs of Hail Damage You Can Spot From the Ground

You don’t have to climb on the roof. Most early indicators are visible from the driveway:

Granules in the gutters and downspout splash blocks. Asphalt shingles are protected by a layer of mineral granules. Hail knocks them loose. If you see what looks like coarse black sand piling up at the base of your downspouts, your shingles took damage.

Dented gutters, gutter screens, or downspouts. Aluminum dents easily. If your gutters look pock-marked or bent in spots that weren’t there before April, hail of significant size hit your house.

Damaged window screens. Tears, punctures, or pushed-in spots usually mean the roof above got the same treatment.

A/C condenser fins bent or flattened. Look at the outdoor unit. Hail dents the aluminum fins around the coils. This is one of the most reliable hail-size indicators on the property.

Bruised or shredded leaves on trees and shrubs. Mature leaves that look like they’ve been chewed up are a sign of hail large enough to damage shingles.

Dings on outdoor surfaces. Patio furniture, grills, mailboxes, vehicle hoods — anything with paint or thin metal will tell you the story.

If you’re seeing two or three of these signs, your roof almost certainly has damage that an insurance claim will cover.

What Only a Roofer Can See

Plenty of hail damage on a roof is invisible from the ground — even from a neighbor’s second-floor window. This is where a professional inspection makes the difference.

A trained roofer is looking for:

Bruises in the shingle mat. When hail hits an asphalt shingle hard enough, it fractures the fiberglass mat underneath the surface. The shingle looks fine — until you press on the spot and feel a soft, spongy depression. Those bruises shorten the shingle’s life by years, even if they’re not leaking yet.

Granule loss in concentrated patterns. Random granule loss is normal aging. Hail leaves circular patterns of bare spots where each stone struck.

Cracked or split shingles. Wind from severe storms lifts shingle tabs and can crack the sealant strip underneath. The shingle stays in place visually but no longer bonds to the one below it — and the next big wind will peel it off entirely.

Damaged flashing, vents, and pipe boots. These are the most leak-prone parts of any roof, and they’re also the parts hail damages first. A dented turbine vent or cracked pipe boot may not leak today, but it will within a year or two.

Soft decking under the shingles. Older Central Texas homes — particularly those built in the 80s and 90s — sometimes have decking that’s already weakened. Hail finishes the job.

Our inspectors document all of this with photos, a written report, and a measured roof diagram. You get the report whether you hire us or not.

How the Insurance Claim Actually Works

If hail damage is confirmed, here’s the realistic timeline most homeowners go through:

  1. You file the claim with your insurance company by phone or app. They’ll ask for the date of loss — use the storm date (April 24–29, 2026 for this event).
  2. An adjuster is assigned. After a major event, this can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Big storms across multiple counties stretch insurance company resources thin.
  3. The adjuster inspects the roof. It’s a good idea to have your roofer there at the same time. We meet adjusters on-site regularly — we know what they’re looking for and what often gets missed.
  4. You receive a Statement of Loss. This is a line-item document showing what the insurance company will pay for. The first check, called the “actual cash value” (ACV), is the depreciated value of your roof minus your deductible.
  5. We review the scope. Adjuster scopes routinely miss items — ridge caps, drip edge, code-required upgrades, flashing, decking. We supplement the claim and submit photos, measurements, and documentation for any missing items.
  6. Work begins. Most residential roofs are completed in 1–2 days once materials are scheduled.
  7. Final check is released. After the work is done, your insurance company releases the depreciation portion. You pay the deductible. The rest goes toward the roof.

The homeowner’s out-of-pocket cost is almost always just the deductible — typically 1% or 2% of the home’s insured value.

How to Avoid Storm-Chaser Contractors

After every major Central Texas hail event, out-of-state contractors flood the area. They knock on doors. They offer to “waive your deductible.” They show up in unmarked trucks with no local address.

Here’s how to vet anyone who shows up at your door — including us:

Ask for a local Texas address. A P.O. box or an out-of-state office is a red flag. Montgomery Roofing has been in Lorena since 1995, at the same number: 254-655-1024.

Ask to see proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation. A contractor without workers’ comp puts you on the hook if someone gets hurt on your roof.

Ask for references in your zip code. Anyone who’s actually working in Waco, Hewitt, Robinson, Woodway, Temple, Killeen, or the surrounding areas should be able to name recent projects.

Be skeptical of “deductible waivers.” Offering to waive your deductible is illegal in Texas. Any contractor offering that is committing insurance fraud — and you’d be a party to it.

Look for manufacturer certifications. We’re an IKO Craftsman Premier contractor, which means our installs come with a workmanship warranty backed by IKO, not just by us. Storm chasers don’t have those certifications because the manufacturers require local, vetted businesses.

Check the BBB and Google reviews. Look for years of history, not 50 reviews collected in the last six months. Montgomery Roofing is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating and 70+ five-star Google reviews built up over more than a decade.

What to Do This Week

If you’re in the Waco area and you haven’t had your roof checked since the April storms:

  1. Walk your property tonight. Look for the ground-level signs above.
  2. If you see any of them, schedule a free inspection.
  3. Don’t file the insurance claim until after a roofer has confirmed damage — filing a claim that gets denied still counts against your record.
  4. If we confirm damage, we’ll walk you through every step of the claim, attend the adjuster meeting, and handle the supplement process if anything gets missed.

Call us at (254) 655-1024 or book a free inspection online. We’ve been doing this in Central Texas since 1995. We’ll tell you the truth about your roof — whether you need a full replacement, a small repair, or nothing at all.

Montgomery Roofing is a family-owned roofing contractor based in Lorena, TX, serving Waco, Hewitt, Robinson, Woodway, Temple, Killeen, Belton, Hillsboro, Gatesville, Groesbeck, and surrounding Central Texas communities. Licensed, insured, BBB Accredited (A+), Google Guaranteed, and an IKO Craftsman Premier certified installer.