Hail and wind damage: insurance claims by state
What some state laws say about contractors and your roof insurance claim, from who can negotiate it to canceling a contract when the claim is denied.
On this page: 4 sections
Don't go on the roof yourself. After hail or high wind, look from the ground, take photos of any damage you can see, and call your insurer to ask how to file a claim and whether they'll send an adjuster.
Before you sign anything
- Ask your insurer what your policy covers and what your deductible is.
- If a contractor offers to inspect the roof, ask whether there's a charge before they go up. We don't list a price for storm inspections, because no cost guide we use prices one.
- Get any contractor's estimate in writing, with what they found and where.
- Read the cancellation terms in any contract before you sign it.
- Check the contractor's license or registration. The verify guide links each state's lookup.
Some contractors ask you to sign an assignment of benefits. It transfers your policy's benefits for the loss to them, in whole or in part.1 Read it carefully, and ask your insurer about it before you sign.
What state laws say about contractors and your claim
Several states set rules for contractors who are paid from an insurance claim. Each state's law is its own, and most rows below cover contractors in general, so the law applies to roofers too.
| State | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Arizona | A contractor doing repairs after a catastrophic storm can't act as your adjuster, negotiate the claim for you or promise that your insurance will cover the work. It can talk to your insurer about a dispute over the claim only with your permission and without being paid for it2-3 |
| Florida | A contractor can't interpret your policy or adjust your claim unless it's a licensed public adjuster, and it must give you a good-faith itemized estimate.4 For residential and commercial property policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, an assignment of benefits after the loss is void1 |
| Iowa | Residential contractors can't represent you or negotiate for you on a roof or exterior insurance claim.5 Under an assignment of benefits after the loss, a contractor can only be a co-payee, and can't rebate your deductible or act as a public adjuster without a license6 |
| Minnesota | Residential contractors can't interpret policies or adjust claims unless they're licensed public adjusters. If a contractor breaks that law, your insurer doesn't have to consider its estimate7 |
| Nebraska | An assignment of benefits to a residential contractor after the loss can only name the contractor as a co-payee, must reach your insurer within 5 business days and must carry a notice the law sets out8 |
| North Dakota | An assignment of benefits to a residential contractor after the loss can only name the contractor as a co-payee, must reach your insurer within 5 business days and must carry a notice the law sets out. The contractor's itemized estimate goes to you and to your insurer9 |
| South Carolina | Builders and contractors can't represent you or negotiate for you on a roof insurance claim. You can still use a contractor's evaluation of your roof10 |
| Texas | A contractor can't act as a public adjuster, or advertise that it adjusts claims, for a property where it's doing the contracting work11 |
| Utah | An assignment of benefits to a residential contractor after the loss may name the contractor as a co-payee, and must include an itemized scope of work, the agreed price, a statement that the contractor isn't promising coverage, and a notice the law sets out12 |
| West Virginia | Roofing contractors can't represent you or negotiate for you on a roof insurance claim. They can still give estimates and talk with your insurer13 |
| Wisconsin | Residential contractors can't represent you or negotiate for you on a roof or exterior insurance claim. With your consent, they can discuss the damage with your insurer and give estimates14 |
Canceling a contract
Some states let you cancel a contract for work that insurance was to pay for. The window and what starts it differ from state to state, so read your own state's row, and your contract.
| State | When you can cancel |
|---|---|
| Arizona | A contract to repair a home's roof or other damage after a catastrophic storm in an area an insurer has designated: for any reason within 4 business days after you sign, or within 72 hours after your insurer tells you the claim is denied2 |
| Florida | A contract to repair or replace a roof, signed within 180 days of a state of emergency the Governor declared for your area: within 10 days after signing or by the official start date, whichever comes first4 |
| Minnesota | A residential roofing contract: within 72 hours after your insurer tells you the claim is denied15 |
| Missouri | Until midnight of the 5th business day after you get written notice that the claim isn't covered16 |
| Nebraska | Until midnight of the 3rd business day after you sign or after you get written notice that the claim isn't covered, whichever is later17 |
| North Dakota | A residential contractor's contract paid from your claim: until midnight of the 5th business day after you sign or after you get written notice that the claim isn't covered, whichever is later9 |
| South Carolina | A roof contract paid by insurance: until midnight of the 5th business day after you get written notice that the claim isn't covered. No payment is due before then, except for emergency work10 |
| South Dakota | A storm damage repair contract: within 72 hours after you sign it or after you're told the claim is denied18 |
| Utah | A residential repair contract the contractor knew insurance would pay for: within 5 business days after you get written notice that the claim is denied in whole or in part12 |
| West Virginia | A residential roofing contract paid by insurance: until midnight of the 5th business day after you get written notice that the claim isn't covered19 |
| Wisconsin | Until the end of the 3rd business day after you get written notice that the claim is denied14 |
States that aren't in these tables
These tables are examples from the states whose laws we've read on an official page. Your state's rules page on this site says what we've found for it, and a state that isn't here may still have a law on contractors and insurance claims. Find your state from the home page and open its rules page, or ask your insurer or your state's insurance department.
The storm chasers guide covers what to ask a contractor who knocks after a storm, and the deductible rules in these states. When you're ready, you can ask for a roof inspection or quotes from roofers near you.
Rules from state legislatures and the Texas Department of Insurance, checked September 2026.
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Sources (19)
- Florida Legislature: section 627.7152 ↑
- Arizona State Legislature: A.R.S. 32-1158.02 ↑
- Arizona State Legislature: Laws 2026, chapter 157 ↑
- Florida Legislature: section 489.147 ↑
- Iowa Legislature: Iowa Code 103A.71 ↑
- Iowa Legislature: Iowa Code 515.137A ↑
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes: section 325E.66 ↑
- Nebraska Legislature: section 44-8605 ↑
- North Dakota Legislature: chapter 26.1-39.2 ↑
- South Carolina Legislature: title 40, chapter 59 ↑
- Texas Department of Insurance: roofing and insurance ↑
- Utah State Legislature: title 13, chapter 50 ↑
- West Virginia Legislature: section 46A-6M-5 ↑
- Wisconsin State Legislature: section 100.65 ↑
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes: section 326B.811 ↑
- Missouri Revisor of Statutes: section 407.725 ↑
- Nebraska Legislature: section 44-8603 ↑
- South Dakota Legislature: section 37-24-51 ↑
- West Virginia Legislature: section 46A-6M-3 ↑