A successful roof claim in NAZ follows a predictable rhythm.
Five phone calls + 3-5 documents over 6-10 weeks. Skip a step,
you leave money on the table.
Call 1: Report the loss (within 24-48 hours)
What to say:
"I'm reporting roof damage from the storm on [date]. The NWS
confirmed [hail size / wind gust] in my area. I have photos
timestamped within 48 hours of the event."
What NOT to say:
"I think my roof is leaking." (Implies pre-existing condition.)
"It's an old roof anyway." (Hands them depreciation.)
Action: get a claim number + adjuster assignment within 5
business days.
Call 2: Schedule the inspection (week 1-2)
What to ask:
- "Will the adjuster walk the roof, or use drone imagery?"
- "Can my contractor be present during the inspection?"
- "What's the expected turnaround on the estimate?"
Have your contractor present. Adjusters identify ~30% less damage
when the homeowner has no representation.
Call 3: Receive the initial estimate (week 2-4)
Insurer's first offer is almost always 25-50% below the contractor
estimate. This is normal. Don't accept; don't reject; ask for
line-item breakdown.
What to say:
"Thank you for the estimate. Could you send the line-item
breakdown so my contractor can review against current 2026
Xactimate pricing?"
Call 4: Submit supplements (week 4-6)
Your contractor compiles a supplement showing every line item where
the insurer underpriced. Common 2026 underpricings:
- Tear-off labor — insurer estimates $0.40/sq ft; current AZ
market is $0.65-$0.85/sq ft
- Class 4 shingles (if applicable) — insurer often quotes
Class 1
- Synthetic underlayment — insurer quotes felt
- Code-required upgrades — ice + water shield, hurricane
clips
- Permit fees — vary by city
Submit the supplement with line items + contractor's invoice
template.
Call 5: Final settlement (week 6-10)
Insurance pays the actual cash value (ACV) first, then recoverable
depreciation (RCV) after the work is completed.
Confirm:
- ACV check amount
- Recoverable depreciation amount
- Deductible
- Code upgrade coverage (if any)
Documentation checklist
| Stage | Document |
|-------|----------|
| Initial | NWS storm report, photos with timestamps |
| Inspection | Contractor inspection report |
| Estimate | Line-item Xactimate from contractor |
| Supplement | Detailed line-by-line variance |
| Completion | Receipts, before/after photos, contractor invoice |
When to hire a public adjuster
If your initial offer is more than 25% below the contractor estimate
AND the insurer rejects two supplement attempts, hire an AZ-
licensed public adjuster. Cost: 10-15% of the increase. Pays back
when the gap is $5K+.