The honest homeowner's guide to roof insurance.
Georgia gets hammered by hail, wind, and falling limbs. Here's what insurance actually covers, when to file, and how to get paid what your policy promises.
Why a contractor matters — more than you think
Before you even think about filing a claim, hire a contractor you trust. An adjuster works for the insurance company. A contractor works for you. Going it alone is the single most common reason Georgia homeowners get underpaid, denied, or stuck with a scope that doesn't cover the real damage.
Without a contractor
- Adjuster shows up alone, walks the roof for 15 minutes, writes the scope they feel like.
- You sign whatever they hand you — usually missing code items, decking, and matching.
- Hidden damage discovered mid-build becomes an out-of-pocket fight.
- If damage is denied, you have no documentation to appeal.
- You're negotiating roofing technical specs you've never seen before.
With DryCo on your side
- We inspect first and arrive at the adjuster meeting with a full photo report.
- We walk the roof with the adjuster and point to every code requirement and damaged area.
- Hidden damage = a supplement we file directly with your carrier. Not your problem.
- If a denial doesn't match the evidence, we re-inspect and request a second adjuster.
- You only ever pay your deductible. We handle the rest.
When to consider filing a claim
Not every roof problem is a claim. Filing the wrong one can raise your premiums or get you non-renewed. Here's the honest test.
When to consider filing a claim…
- A storm just rolled through (hail, high winds, tornado, hurricane)
- You see missing, cracked, lifted, or curled shingles after weather
- Granules piling up in gutters or downspouts after a hailstorm
- Tree limb or debris impact, even if the roof looks fine from the ground
- Active leak after a weather event, no matter how small
- Your roof is under 20 years old and suddenly showing damage
Don't file if…
- Old age, wear, and granule loss with no recent storm
- Damage smaller than your deductible (e.g., one missing shingle)
- Maintenance issues — clogged gutters, moss, neglected flashing
- Improper prior install — that's a contractor issue, not a claim
The DryCo rule of thumb:
Get a free inspection before you file. If we find storm damage that exceeds your deductible, file. If we don't, you saved yourself a claim on your record. Either way, the report is yours to keep.
What insurance typically covers
Most Georgia HO-3 policies cover sudden, weather-related damage to your roof. Here's what's almost always in-scope — when documented correctly.
Wind damage
Lifted, creased, or missing shingles from straight-line winds, tornados, or hurricane gusts.
Hail damage
Bruising, granule loss, and fractured mat — even when the roof still 'looks fine' from the driveway.
Falling objects
Tree limbs, branches, and storm debris that puncture or crush the roof deck.
Sudden & accidental leaks
Water intrusion caused by a covered event — usually including interior drywall, paint, and insulation.
Code upgrades (if endorsed)
Ordinance & Law coverage pays to bring your roof up to current code (drip edge, ice & water, deck attachment).
Matching & full slope replacement
Many GA policies require replacing whole slopes when matching shingles aren't available — we know how to invoke that clause.
Always check whether your policy is Replacement Cost Value (RCV) or Actual Cash Value (ACV). RCV pays for a brand-new roof. ACV deducts depreciation — sometimes 60%+ on older roofs. We'll read your declarations page with you for free.
What insurance usually won't cover
Knowing the limits up front saves you from a denied claim and a frustrating phone call.
- Wear, tear, and age (a 25-year-old roof at end of life)
- Lack of maintenance — moss, clogged valleys, rotten decking ignored for years
- Manufacturer defects (those go through the shingle warranty, not your carrier)
- Cosmetic-only damage if you have a 'cosmetic exclusion' endorsement
- Pre-existing damage that predates your policy
- Improper prior workmanship by another contractor
How do we get insurance to cover what they should?
Insurance companies aren't villains — but they're also not advocates. Here's the playbook that consistently turns 'partial denial' into full scope.
- Move 1
Document before you file
A contractor inspection with date-stamped photos beats a verbal claim every time. The carrier can't argue what's in writing.
- Move 2
Match the adjuster's language
Adjusters use industry-standard terminology and line items. We write your report in the same vocabulary so nothing gets 'lost in translation.'
- Move 3
Be on the roof together
Adjusters move fast. When we're up there walking the damage with them, the scope captured matches reality.
- Move 4
Supplement the supplemental
Most initial scopes are incomplete. Code items, drip edge, decking, and disposal often need to be added — that's normal, not a fight.
- Move 5
Stay polite, stay persistent
Carriers respond to documentation, not pressure. We escalate through proper channels: re-inspect, appraisal, and (rarely) public adjuster referral.
The DryCo claims playbook
From first call to final check — exactly what working with us looks like.
- 1
Free Damage Inspection
We document hail bruising, wind lift, granule loss, and flashing failure with date-stamped photos and a written report adjusters take seriously.
- 2
File With Confidence
We help you file with your carrier and prep you for the adjuster visit. No scripts. No tricks. Just facts and photos.
- 3
Meet The Adjuster On-Site
We climb the roof with your adjuster, walk them through every finding, and lock in a full and fair scope.
- 4
Build & Supplement
We build to code. If hidden damage emerges mid-build, we file the supplement directly with your carrier — not you.
- 5
Final Paperwork & Depreciation
Certificate of completion, lien waivers, and warranty — all delivered before we collect the recoverable depreciation from your carrier.
The truth about your deductible
You must pay your deductible.
In Georgia, it is illegal for a contractor to waive, absorb, rebate, or "eat" your insurance deductible (O.C.G.A. § 33-24-30.1). Any roofer who offers to is committing insurance fraud — and dragging you into it.
What we actually do
We make sure the carrier pays the full approved scope — including code upgrades, decking, and matching — so your only out-of-pocket cost is the deductible your policy already requires. No games. No shortcuts.
Common questions
Will filing a claim raise my premiums?+
A single legitimate weather-related claim usually has minimal impact, especially in storm-prone Georgia. Multiple claims in a short window can affect rates or renewal — which is exactly why we inspect first.
How long does the whole process take?+
Most claims go from inspection to new roof in 3–6 weeks. Adjuster scheduling is usually the slowest step. Build day itself is typically one day.
What if my claim is denied?+
Denials often come from incomplete documentation. We re-inspect, request a second adjuster, and escalate through proper channels. Most 'denials' become approvals once the evidence is complete.
Do you work with my insurance company?+
Yes — any carrier. Chubb, Travelers, Amica, American Family, and many more.
Can I pick my contractor, or does insurance assign one?+
You always have the right to choose your own contractor. Carriers may suggest one, but the choice is legally yours.
What if I already filed and got a low payout?+
Bring us the scope sheet. We'll review it for free and tell you honestly whether it's worth supplementing.
Not sure if you have a claim?
Start with a free, no-pressure inspection. We'll tell you honestly whether to file — and if you do, we handle it from there.