Homeowner guide
Roof Insurance Claims in Georgia: What Homeowners Should Know
Georgia has specific laws about roofers and insurance claims, written to protect homeowners from storm-chasing contractors. Here’s how the process works and what your rights are.
1. Get the damage documented
After a hail or wind storm, damage is often invisible from the ground. Dented gutters, vents or AC fins are a clue. The National Weather Service in Peachtree City reports that nearly all hail in its area falls between February and August, with April the peak month.
A roof inspection with photos tells you whether there’s real damage before you decide to file. Our inspections are free, and you get the photos and a written estimate whether or not you hire us.
2. You file the claim
You contact your insurance company to open the claim, and you manage it with your insurer. Your policy may require prompt notice of damage, so check your policy’s deadlines.
3. What a roofer can and can’t do
Under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.12, a residential roofing contractor may not represent you or negotiate your insurance claim, and may not advertise that it will. Separately, O.C.G.A. § 33-23-43.8 says a contractor can’t act as a public adjuster on a property it may repair, but may discuss or explain its repair estimate with you or your insurer.
- A roofer can: inspect, photograph damage, write an estimate, and explain that estimate to you or your adjuster.
- A roofer can’t: file or negotiate your claim, act as your adjuster, or promise to “handle the insurance” for you.
If you want someone to negotiate the claim on your behalf, that’s the role of a licensed public adjuster, not a roofer.
4. Your right to cancel if the claim is denied
If you sign a roofing contract that will be paid from insurance proceeds, Georgia law lets you cancel it until midnight of the fifth business day after your insurer notifies you in writing that all or part of the claim is denied. The contractor must give you a written notice of this right and a cancellation form with the contract, and can’t require payment until that five-day period has passed, except for emergency work you approved in writing.
5. Avoid storm chasers
- Hire a local company with a physical address and a track record you can check.
- Look up the company’s BBB profile and reviews.
- Don’t sign anything on the spot after a storm.
- Be wary of anyone who offers to negotiate your claim or waive your deductible.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the current statutes or ask an attorney about your situation.
FAQ
Insurance claim questions
Can a roofer file or negotiate my insurance claim in Georgia?
No. Under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393.12, a residential roofing contractor may not represent or negotiate an insurance claim for a homeowner, or advertise that it will. Only you, or a licensed public adjuster, can do that.
Can a roofer talk to my insurance adjuster?
A contractor may discuss or explain its repair estimate with you or your insurer (O.C.G.A. § 33-23-43.8). What it can’t do is act as your adjuster or negotiate the claim.
Can I cancel a roofing contract if my claim is denied?
Yes. If your contract will be paid from insurance proceeds, you can cancel until midnight of the fifth business day after your insurer notifies you in writing that all or part of the claim is denied. You cancel by written notice to the contractor.
When is hail season in Georgia?
The National Weather Service office in Peachtree City reports that nearly all hailstorms in its area happen between February and August, with April the peak month, mostly in the afternoon and evening.