Filing a Roof Insurance Claim in NJ After Storm Damage

After every major storm — Hurricane Ida, the 2023 derecho, even regular nor'easters — we get calls from homeowners across North Jersey who aren't sure where to start with their insurance claim.

Step 1: Document everything before you touch it. Photograph damage from the ground with a zoom lens or phone camera. Don't climb up — adjusters want to see the damage as the storm left it.

Step 2: Get a free inspection from a qualified local roofer BEFORE you call your insurance company. A reputable contractor will tell you whether the damage is worth filing a claim over. Sometimes it isn't.

Step 3: File the claim and request a field adjuster. Phone-based 'desk adjusters' miss things. Ask for someone on site.

Step 4: Have your roofer present when the adjuster shows up. This is non-negotiable. The adjuster and your roofer should walk the roof together so there's no dispute about what's covered.

Step 5: Demand a full Xactimate estimate. Xactimate is the software adjusters use to price every line item. Your roofer's estimate should be in the same format so you can compare line by line.

Mistakes that get claims denied: waiting too long to file (most NJ policies require notice within a year), making permanent repairs before the adjuster sees the damage, and using a 'storm chaser' contractor with no local license or address.

If your claim is denied or underpaid, you have the right to appeal — and to hire a public adjuster if it comes to that. Most claims, though, are settled fairly when the homeowner has the right roofer in their corner from day one.