March 27, 2026
Filing a roof insurance claim in South Carolina does not have to be stressful or confusing. The process follows a predictable sequence: document the damage, contact your insurer, get a professional inspection, meet with the adjuster, review the estimate, choose a contractor, and complete repairs. Most homeowners who follow these steps correctly receive fair settlements that cover the full cost of repairs or replacement.
The problem is that most SC homeowners have never filed a roof damage claim before. They do not know what to say to their insurance company, what documentation the adjuster needs, or how to spot an estimate that shortchanges them. Insurance companies process thousands of claims — they know the system inside and out. You should too.
At Right Hand Roofing, we have guided hundreds of Summerville-area homeowners through the insurance claim process. Owner Tristan Carter and our team handle the documentation, attend adjuster meetings, and fight for fair settlements on your behalf. This guide shares everything we have learned so you can navigate the process with confidence.
The clock starts ticking after a storm. South Carolina insurance policies typically require you to report damage within a “reasonable time,” and most adjusters want to see the damage before any repairs are made. Here is exactly what to do.
Do not make permanent repairs before the adjuster sees the damage. You are allowed (and expected) to make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage — tarping an active leak, for example. But do not replace shingles, patch holes, or hire someone to fix the problem before it has been documented by your insurance company. Permanent repairs made before an adjuster visit can result in a denied claim because there is no evidence of the original damage.
Save all receipts for any emergency temporary repairs. These costs are typically reimbursable under your policy.
Call your insurance company’s claims line as soon as possible after the storm. Most SC insurers have 24/7 claims hotlines that activate during major weather events. Here is how to handle the call.
Your insurance company will assign a claim number and schedule an adjuster visit, usually within 1-3 weeks after a major storm event (longer during hurricane season when claims volume surges).
Before the adjuster arrives, have a professional roofing contractor inspect your roof and document the damage. This is one of the most important steps in the entire process.
Insurance adjusters are generalists. They handle claims for cars, homes, businesses, and personal property. They are not roofing experts. A trained roofing professional knows exactly what storm damage looks like on specific shingle types, where to look for hidden damage, and how to document findings in the language insurance companies understand.
Right Hand Roofing provides free storm damage inspections for homeowners in Summerville and the surrounding Lowcountry area. During our inspection, we:
Having a professional damage report before the adjuster visit ensures that nothing gets overlooked and gives you documentation to reference if the initial estimate comes in low.
Schedule your free inspection by calling (843) 696-9307.
When the insurance adjuster comes to your home, you have the right to have your contractor present. We strongly recommend it.
When a Right Hand Roofing team member meets with the adjuster, we can:
The adjuster will typically spend 30-90 minutes at your property. They will climb the roof (or use a drone for steep or damaged roofs), photograph the damage, take measurements, and create an initial scope of work. They may provide a preliminary assessment on-site or tell you to expect the estimate within 1-2 weeks.
Be present during the inspection if possible. Walk the property with the adjuster and point out all areas of concern, including interior water damage, damaged gutters, and damaged siding or fascia.
Your insurance company will send a written estimate, sometimes called a “scope of loss.” This document lists every line item the insurer is willing to pay for. Review it carefully.
Insurance estimates use standardized line items from Xactimate software. Common items include:
It is extremely common for the initial insurance estimate to be lower than the actual cost of proper repairs. This is not necessarily the insurer acting in bad faith — they are working from a brief inspection and may have missed items. This is where supplemental claims come in.
A supplemental claim is a formal request for additional payment to cover items that were missed or undervalued in the original estimate. Right Hand Roofing handles supplemental claims regularly. Common supplement items include:
We prepare and file all supplemental claims on your behalf at no additional cost.
Your insurance company may suggest or even pressure you to use a “preferred” contractor from their network. You are not required to use them. South Carolina law gives you the right to choose any licensed contractor you want.
Choosing a certified, experienced contractor for an insurance-funded roof replacement protects you in several ways:
After every major storm in the Lowcountry, out-of-state “storm chaser” roofing companies flood the area. They knock on doors, offer to handle everything, and often disappear after collecting payment. Watch for these warning signs:
Once you have chosen your contractor and the insurance estimate is finalized (including any supplements), the repair or replacement work can begin.
Most SC homeowners insurance policies pay claims in two stages:
Important: You must complete the work to collect the full claim amount. If you take the ACV check and never make the repairs, you lose the depreciation portion of the payment.
Your out-of-pocket cost on a properly managed insurance claim is typically limited to your deductible.
After years of working with Summerville homeowners on insurance claims, we see the same mistakes repeatedly. Avoid these pitfalls.
South Carolina does not have a hard statutory deadline for filing property damage claims, but most insurance policies require “prompt” reporting. Waiting months after a storm makes it harder to prove the damage was storm-related and gives your insurer grounds to question the claim. File within days, not weeks or months.
Homeowners who rely solely on the insurance adjuster’s assessment frequently receive lower settlements. The adjuster is working for the insurance company, not for you. Having an independent professional inspection gives you leverage and documentation to ensure a fair outcome.
The initial estimate is a starting point, not a final offer. If it does not cover the full cost of proper repairs, you have every right to negotiate, file supplements, or invoke the appraisal clause in your policy. Do not assume the first number is the best you can get.
Never sign a contract with any roofing company before you receive and review the insurance estimate. Reputable contractors like Right Hand Roofing will review the estimate with you and explain exactly what is covered before asking you to commit.
Claim denials happen, but they are not always the final word. Common reasons for denial include:
Right Hand Roofing helps homeowners navigate denials and reopen claims that were unfairly closed. We have successfully helped many Summerville homeowners overturn initial denials through proper documentation and persistent advocacy.
While there is no single statutory deadline, most SC homeowners insurance policies require you to report damage “promptly” or “as soon as practicable.” Best practice is to file within days of the storm event. Waiting more than a year makes it extremely difficult to get a claim approved. Check your specific policy language for reporting requirements.
A single weather-related claim typically does not cause a rate increase in South Carolina, especially when the damage is part of a widespread storm event. However, multiple claims within a short period can affect your rates or insurability. This is a conversation worth having with your insurance agent before filing.
Yes. Your deductible is your contractual responsibility under the insurance policy. Any contractor who offers to “waive” or “cover” your deductible is proposing insurance fraud, which is a felony in South Carolina. Your deductible is the only out-of-pocket cost you should expect on a properly managed insurance claim.
No. South Carolina law protects your right to choose any licensed contractor. Your insurer can recommend contractors, but they cannot require you to use a specific company. Choose based on licensing, certification, reputation, and local presence.
This is common and expected. Your contractor should file a supplement to the insurance company detailing any additional costs with supporting documentation. Right Hand Roofing handles all supplemental claims as a standard part of our insurance restoration process.
From initial filing to completed repairs, the typical timeline is 30-90 days. However, after major storm events (hurricanes, widespread hail), the process can stretch to 3-6 months due to adjuster backlogs and material demand. Starting the process early gives you the best chance of a timely resolution.
No. Our storm damage inspections are completely free, and our insurance claim assistance is included as part of our service when you choose us for the repair or replacement work. We do not charge any separate fees for claim management, adjuster meetings, supplement filing, or documentation.
Age alone does not disqualify your roof from insurance coverage. If a covered weather event caused damage to your roof, the insurer is obligated to cover the damage regardless of the roof’s age (subject to your policy terms and deductible). The adjuster may apply depreciation based on age, but the depreciation is typically recoverable once repairs are completed.
If your roof has been damaged by a storm, do not try to navigate the insurance process alone. Right Hand Roofing has the experience, documentation tools, and persistence to help you get a fair settlement.
Call Tristan Carter at (843) 696-9307 to schedule your free storm damage inspection, or contact us online. We will inspect your roof, document the damage, and walk you through every step of the insurance claim process.
Professional roofing contractor serving Charleston, Summerville & the Lowcountry. Call (843) 696-9307
