Will My Homeowners Insurance Cover a Roof Replacement in Minnesota?

Minnesota’s weather is notorious for hailstorms and high winds that can wreak havoc on roofs. In fact, over the past decade the Twin Cities metro area has been hit by numerous major hailstorms – for example, August 11, 2023and May 19, 2022 saw intense hail over 1.5 inches in diameter – which collectively damaged more than 1 million homes in the region. With storms this severe, many homeowners wonder: “Will my insurance cover a roof replacement?” The good news is that most homeowners insurance policies do cover storm-related roof damage(like hail or wind). However, getting your roof replacement fully covered means navigating the insurance claims process correctly. Below, we walk you through the key steps of filing an insurance claim for a storm-damaged roof in Minnesota – from the adjuster’s inspection to the final replacement – so you know exactly what to expect.

Step 1: Preparing for the Insurance Adjuster’s Inspection

After a storm, once you decide to file a roof damage claim, the insurance company will assign an adjuster to inspect your home. Proper preparation before the adjuster arrives can make a big difference in the outcome of your claim. Here’s how to get ready:

• Document the Damage with Photos: Safely examine your property and take clear photos of all visible damage before any repairs are done. Photograph bruised or cracked shingles, dented gutters, broken skylights – any evidence of hail or wind damage. This creates a visual record to support your claim. It’s wise to date-stamp or label the photos if possible and even take some wide shots to show the overall scope of damage. These images will be invaluable if there are any later discrepancies in the insurance report.
• Have a Contractor Present During Inspection: Consider having a trusted professional roofing contractor – like Shelter Construction – on site when the insurance adjuster inspects your roof. An experienced contractor knows exactly what storm damage to look for. They can point out less-obvious issues (e.g. subtle shingle bruising, hidden leaks, structural impacts) to the adjuster, ensuring nothing gets missed. Your contractor effectively becomes your advocate during the inspection, making sure all damage is noted in the adjuster’s report. This collaborative approach sets the stage for a fair and thorough assessment of your roof.

Step 2: What Happens During the Insurance Claim Adjustment?

When the adjuster arrives for the scheduled inspection (often within days or a week of your claim filing), they will conduct a comprehensive survey of the damage. This adjustment inspection is crucial – the findings will directly influence how much the insurance company will pay. Here’s what typically happens during an adjuster’s visit:

• Exterior Roof Inspection: The adjuster will climb onto your roof to examine the shingles and structure up close. They’ll look for hail impact marks, cracked or missing shingles, dented vents, damaged flashing, and any signs of wind damage like lifted or creased shingles. Expect the adjuster to take measurements of your roof and plenty of photos to document everything. They may even chalk-circle hail hits on shingles or use tools to check for soft spots in the decking. This careful documentation helps determine if a simple repair is possible or if a full roof replacement is justified.
• Interior Damage Check: If the storm created any openings or leaks, the adjuster will also inspect your home’s interior for related damage. They might enter the attic to look for water stains, soaked insulation, or structural harm. Inside your living areas, they’ll check ceilings and walls for water intrusion, mold, or sagging caused by roof leaks. Don’t be alarmed – this step is to ensure any collateral damage (to drywall, flooring, etc.) from the roof leak is included in the claim. It’s important the adjuster gets the full picture of how the roof damage has affected your home.
• Shelter Construction’s Role During Inspection: Having Shelter Construction (or your chosen contractor) present really pays off at this stage. Our experienced team can identify hidden damage that an adjuster might overlook at first glance. For instance, we might spot areas of torn underlayment, subtle structural issues, or storm-damaged siding/windows that should be part of the claim. We make sure to point out all these issues during the inspection. Additionally, we’ll provide our own documentation – like a second set of photos, notes on damage severity, and initial repair estimates – to support the adjuster’s findings. By actively collaborating with the adjuster, Shelter Construction helps ensure no damage goes unrecorded. This thorough approach improves your chances of getting the full claim approval needed for a complete roof fix.

Step 3: The Adjuster’s Report and Its Impact on the Claim

After the on-site inspection, the insurance adjuster will compile an official report of their findings. This adjuster’s report is a detailed document that essentially determines what your insurance will pay for. Understanding this report is key to knowing if your roof replacement will be covered. Here’s what the report typically includes:

• Scope of Damage: A summary of all the damage the adjuster observed. This section spells out which parts of your roof (and other areas) are affected – for example, noting hail damage to the shingles on the west and north sides, cracked ridge vents, dents in metal flashing, and maybe water damage in the guest bedroom ceiling. Crucially, the scope will state whether the adjuster recommends repairing the existing roof or a full replacement of the roof. If your shingles are very old or extensively damaged, the report might indicate a full roof replacement is necessary (which is what you want to see for a new roof claim).
• Cost Estimates: The adjuster will attach an itemized estimate of the repair/replacement costs. This includes materials (shingles, underlayment, vents, etc.), labor, and often any other expenses like dumpster rental or permits. Insurers commonly use estimating software (with current pricing) to get these figures. The bottom line here is the expected cost to restore your roof to its pre-storm condition. The insurance company will review this when calculating your payout. (They’ll subtract your deductible and any depreciation if your policy has that, yielding the initial claim payment.)
• Approval for Work: In many cases, the report will clearly state what the insurance approves – e.g. “Replace 20 square of asphalt shingles and repair 10 linear feet of gutter” – essentially giving the green light to proceed with those repairs or the roof replacement. Sometimes this is in the scope section or as a conclusion. If anything is not approved (say the adjuster thinks some damage was pre-existing or maintenance-related), that will be noted too.

How the Adjuster’s Report Impacts Your Claim: This report is critical because your insurance company will generally pay out based on the adjuster’s documented scope and estimates. If the report concludes you only need minor repairs, the initial payout will reflect that limited work – which could fall short of what’s truly needed to fix your roof. That’s why it’s so important the report is accurate and complete.

Shelter Construction’s Review and Verification: When you receive the adjuster’s report (you should get a copy), Shelter Construction will review it line by line to compare with our own inspection findings. We check: Did the adjuster include all the hail-damaged sections of the roof? Are the quantities (square footage of shingles, etc.) correct? Are all necessary items (like new flashing, ridge caps, vents, dumpster fees) in the estimate? If we discover anything was underestimated or missed, we immediately communicate with the insurance company to get the report adjusted to reflect the true scope. Our goal is to ensure the approved work and budget in the report will indeed cover a proper, quality roof replacement – not just a Band-Aid fix.

Advocating for Full Coverage: If there’s any debate (for example, the adjuster’s report calls for a repair but we firmly believe a full replacement is needed), Shelter Construction will work with the insurance company to advocate for the coverage you truly need. Thanks to our experience with storm damage claims, we know how to present additional evidence or explain industry standards to justify the required work. In short, we make sure the insurance adjuster’s report fully aligns with restoring your roof to 100%. When all parties agree on the scope and cost, your claim moves forward with confidence that the roof replacement will be covered as intended.

Step 4: Handling Discrepancies in the Claim

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to feel that the insurance payout offer is lower than expected. Perhaps the initial check doesn’t cover all the repair bills, or certain damages you thought were covered got denied. Don’t panic – discrepancies can be resolved, and you have options to make sure you get fair compensation for your roof damage.

What to Do If the Insurance Payout Is Too Low:

• Review the Claim Details: First, carefully review the adjuster’s report and the Explanation of Benefits from your insurer. Identify exactly what was omitted or underpaid. It could be that the adjuster missed damage on a section of the roof, or the allotted cost for materials is too low for current prices. Knowing the specific shortfall is important.
• Filing a Supplemental Claim: If you discover legitimate additional damage or costs that weren’t covered, you can file a supplemental claim (essentially an addendum to the original claim). This is common in roofing claims – for example, once the old shingles are torn off, your contractor might find hidden damage (like rotten decking or additional hail impacts) that couldn’t be seen earlier. Shelter Construction will help you prepare the supplemental claim, providing any new evidence, photos, and a revised contractor estimate to justify the extra work. We’ll submit this information to your insurance company and request an adjusted payout. Insurance companies are used to supplements on construction claims, so don’t be shy about this process – it exists to ensure you’re fully covered for the real scope of repairs.
• Negotiating with the Insurance Company: In some cases, it’s not new damage but a difference of opinion on cost or method of repair. This is where negotiation comes in. Shelter Construction can communicate directly with your insurance adjuster/claims department to clarify discrepancies and advocate for the necessary funds. For instance, if the insurer’s estimate allowed for cheaper materials or overlooked local code requirements, we will point that out and provide supporting documentation (like local building codes or manufacturer specs). We leverage our expertise in working with insurers to push for the maximum coverage you are entitled to. Remember, insurance companies ultimately want to indemnify you (make you whole) for covered damage – our job is to ensure no damage is left inadequately addressed.
• Stay Persistent (and Patient): Resolving claim differences can take a bit of back-and-forth. There may be additional inspections or calls. In Minnesota, where huge hailstorms can lead to thousands of claims at once, insurance adjusters are very busy – so persistence is key. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and insist on explanations for any denial. If needed, Shelter Construction will continue to escalate the claim until every legitimate repair cost is approved. In rare cases where agreement can’t be reached, options like invoking an independent appraiser or a public adjuster review exist – but fortunately, most roof claims are resolved through supplemental filings and good-faith negotiation.

The bottom line is: If you truly have storm damage, you shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket for anything beyond your deductible. By being proactive and working with a knowledgeable contractor, you can correct claim shortfallsand get the full coverage you deserve for your roof replacement.

Step 5: Final Steps After the Insurance Claim Adjustment

Once any discrepancies are ironed out and your insurance company gives the final approval, you’ll receive the confirmed claim funds (usually the initial check plus any supplemental payments). Now it’s time to actually get the roof fixed. Here are the final steps to complete your roof replacement process smoothly:

• Schedule the Roof Replacement: Coordinate with your contractor to get the work on the calendar. In Minnesota, weather can be a factor, so you’ll want to plan for a stretch of clear days. Shelter Construction will work with you to schedule the repairs at a convenient time – the goal is to get your home restored and watertight as soon as possible. Whether it’s a small repair or a full tear-off and replacement, we mobilize our roofing crew quickly once the claim is settled. You can typically start work as soon as you have the first insurance check in hand (and any necessary permits are pulled).

• Quality Materials for Long-Term Protection: A roof replacement is only as good as the materials and workmanship. Make sure your contractor uses high-quality, storm-resistant materials that meet local building codes and can withstand Minnesota’s harsh climate. For example, Shelter Construction often recommends impact-resistant shingles and proper ice & water shielding, especially given our hail and ice-dam prone region. Impact-resistant shingles, rated as Class 3 and Class 4, can better withstand hail impacts and strong winds, significantly reducing the likelihood of damage. Additionally, many insurance companies offer premium discounts for homeowners who install impact-resistant shingles, as they reduce the risk of future claims. Some of the best impact-resistant shingle brands include:
  • TAMKO Titan XT & StormFighter IR – Built for extreme weather resistance, these shingles offer superior protection against hail and high winds.
  • GAF Timberline ArmorShield II – These Class 4 shingles blend durability with aesthetics and can qualify for insurance discounts.
  • CertainTeed ClimateFlex – Featuring rubberized asphalt, these shingles provide flexibility and impact resistance, ideal for harsh climates.
  • Malarkey Legacy & Vista AR – Made with polymer-modified asphalt, these shingles are durable, eco-friendly, and offer superior storm resistance.
• Professional Repairs Beyond the Roof: If the storm damaged other parts of your home (gutters, siding, windows, etc.), those repairs should be addressed as part of the claim as well. Coordinate with specialists as needed or hire a company like Shelter that can handle multiple trades. The key is to restore your entire propertyto pre-storm condition, not just the roof.
• Final Inspection and Walkthrough: After the roof work is completed, do a thorough walkthrough with your contractor. Shelter Construction always performs a final inspection with the homeowner to ensure every aspect of the job meets our high standards and your expectations. We’ll check that all agreed-upon work is done, the job site is clean (nails and debris removed), and that you are satisfied with your new roof. This is the time to ask any questions about maintenance or warranty, and to make sure things like ventilation or flashing were properly addressed. Once you’ve signed off, your contractor will finalize any remaining paperwork for the insurance (such as a certificate of completion) so the claim can be fully closed out. Then, it’s time to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a sturdy new roof over your head!

Don’t Wait – Get a Free Roof Inspection Before Storm Season

Minnesota’s next storm season is never far away. The best step you can take now is to ensure your roof is readybefore the hail and winds hit. Shelter Construction offers free, no-obligation roof inspections to spot any existing storm damage or vulnerabilities. Our roofing experts will assess your shingles, flashing, gutters, and more – and give honest advice on whether you should file an insurance claim. Early detection of issues can mean the difference between a simple repair and a costly disaster later on.

Don’t wait until the next big hailstorm to find out if your roof is damaged. By scheduling a free roof inspection with Shelter Construction now, you’ll be prepared and confident going into the busy storm season. If we find damage, we’ll guide you through the insurance claims process step by step (handling everything from inspection to adjustment to replacement, as described above). And if your roof is in good shape, you’ll have peace of mind knowing it can weather the next storm.

Turn to the Pros at Shelter Construction

Protect your home and maximize your insurance benefits – contact Shelter Construction today to book your free roof inspection. With storm season around the corner, now is the perfect time to make sure your roof (and insurance paperwork) are in order. At Shelter, we offer complimentary inspections and consultations. We will perform minor repairs during the examination to small damage that we find. Call us at 612-284-6985 or contact us today on our website!