Insurance Claims FAQs

Yes — if the damage was caused by a covered peril (hail, wind, tornado, falling objects). Insurance covers replacement cost minus your deductible for sudden, accidental damage. Wear and tear, neglect, and old age are NOT covered. Oklahoma policies typically use Replacement Cost Value (RCV) — you get full replacement minus depreciation held until work is done.

In Oklahoma, insurance companies cannot raise your INDIVIDUAL premium solely for filing a weather-related claim — but they can raise rates for all policyholders in a zip code after major storm events. Per 36 O.S. § 3620, your rate may NOT increase due to a single catastrophic weather claim.

A supplement is an addendum to an insurance adjuster's initial estimate — submitted by the contractor — to correct omissions like missing code-required items (drip edge, ice & water shield), underestimated material quantities, or labor rates. On average, supplements add $3,200 to Oklahoma roof claims. Proof Construction's forensic supplementing process has recovered an average of $4,100 per claim.

1) Inspection: contractor documents all storm damage.
2) File claim: you call your insurance company and get a claim number.
3) Adjuster visit: insurance adjuster inspects and writes an estimate.
4) Review: contractor reviews the adjuster's estimate for scope gaps.
5) Supplement: if needed, contractor submits supplements for code items and missed damage.
6) Approval: insurance issues final scope and first check (ACV).
7) Work begins: roof is replaced.
8) Final payment: depreciation check issued upon completion.

1) Request the denial reason in writing.
2) Get a second professional roof inspection — many denials are reversed when a licensed contractor documents storm-created damage vs. wear and tear.
3) Request a re-inspection — you have the right to have the adjuster re-inspect with your contractor present.
4) File a complaint with the Oklahoma Insurance Department if the denial appears unjustified.

No. Oklahoma law gives you the right to choose ANY licensed contractor. Insurance companies may recommend 'preferred' contractors but cannot require you to use them. Be wary of contractors who promise to handle everything without your involvement — you have rights in the process.

ACV (Actual Cash Value) = replacement cost minus depreciation (age/wear). RCV (Replacement Cost Value) = full cost to replace with new materials. Most Oklahoma homeowner policies are RCV policies: you get an initial ACV check, then the depreciation is released after work completion. Older roofs may have ACV-only endorsements — check your policy.

Yes — this is one of our core specialties. We've recovered an average of $4,100 per claim through forensic supplementing. Our process: we identify every scope gap in the adjuster's estimate (code items, missed damage, labor rate discrepancies), document with photos and code references, submit to the insurance company, and advocate on your behalf until approved. You pay nothing additional — only your deductible.

Pre-claim inspections document your roof's pre-existing condition, creating a baseline. Post-storm inspection documents storm-created damage with forensic photography. The comparison between the two proves the damage was storm-caused (covered) not wear-and-tear (not covered). This dramatically increases claim approval rates.

If your roof was damaged by multiple storm events, we document damage by storm date using forensic photography and historical weather data. Each claim is filed separately with date-specific documentation. This is complex but important — your insurance company may try to attribute all damage to the oldest storm (lower payout due to depreciation). We ensure each storm event is properly documented.

YES. Oklahoma Statute 36 O.S. § 3620 prohibits contractors from waiving, rebating, or paying a homeowner's insurance deductible. Any contractor offering this is committing insurance fraud — and YOU could be implicated. This is the #1 red flag for storm chaser scams.

Most Oklahoma homeowners insurance policies require claims to be filed within 12 months of the storm event date. Some policies have shorter windows (6 months). Do not wait — file immediately after documenting damage. Delayed filing is the #1 reason valid claims get denied. Proof Construction can help you document the storm date using NOAA weather data and hail maps.

This is very common. Insurance adjusters often miss code-required items (drip edge, ice & water shield), use outdated pricing databases, or underestimate scope. Your contractor submits a supplement — a detailed line-item request with photos and code citations. Most supplements are approved. If not, you can request a re-inspection with your contractor present. Proof Construction has a 94% supplement approval rate.

No. Insurance covers sudden, accidental damage from covered perils (hail, wind, tornado, falling objects). Gradual deterioration, age-related wear, and maintenance neglect are NOT covered. This is why annual roof inspections are so important — they catch wear issues before they become costly out-of-pocket repairs.

No. Insurance does not cover age-related replacement. However, if an old roof sustained storm damage from a covered peril (hail, wind), insurance must cover repairs or replacement to the extent of that damage. The key is proving storm-created damage vs. age-related deterioration — which is exactly what Proof Construction's forensic inspections document.

Matching refers to the insurance company's obligation to ensure new materials match existing undamaged materials in appearance. If your roof has discontinued shingles and only one slope is damaged, Oklahoma's matching line-of-sight standard may require the insurer to replace ALL roof slopes for a uniform appearance. Proof Construction advocates for full matching on every claim.

Most major insurers use Xactimate — the industry-standard estimating software for property claims. Xactimate prices are updated monthly by ZIP code. If an adjuster's estimate uses non-standard or outdated pricing, your contractor can challenge it with current, localized Xactimate data. Proof Construction uses Xactimate for all supplements, ensuring apples-to-apples comparisons.

A public adjuster is an independent insurance professional who works for YOU (not the insurance company) to evaluate damage and negotiate your claim. They typically charge 10–20% of the settlement. For complex or high-value claims, a public adjuster can be worth it. For standard roof claims in Oklahoma, a knowledgeable roofing contractor (like Proof Construction) can often achieve the same results through supplementing — at no additional cost to you.

Yes. If you have a mortgage, your insurance check will likely be made payable to both you AND your mortgage company. The mortgage company must endorse the check. They may hold funds in escrow and release them in draws as work progresses. This is standard and Proof Construction handles mortgage company coordination on every claim — including inspection requests and draw releases.

Insurers sometimes label hail damage as 'cosmetic' — meaning it affects appearance but not function. However, bruised shingles have compromised structural integrity (cracked mat, granule loss) that leads to premature failure. A forensic inspection documenting mat fractures and granule embedment can overturn a cosmetic-only determination. Proof Construction has successfully reversed dozens of cosmetic denials.

We work directly with your insurance company. Payment is structured:
1) First check (ACV) — paid upfront, typically to you and your mortgage company.
2) Supplement payment (if applicable) — after approvals.
3) Final depreciation check — released after work completion and final inspection. You pay ONLY your deductible. We never charge hidden fees or markups on insurance work.