How Long Do You Have to File a Roof Insurance Claim in Texas?

What Houston Homeowners Need to Know After Hail and Wind Storms

If your home in Houston, The Woodlands, Cypress, Spring, Katy, Jersey Village, or The Heights was hit by a hail or wind storm, one of the most important questions you can ask is:

How long do I have to file a roof insurance claim in Texas?

The answer can easily be worth tens of thousands of dollars — and yet most homeowners are never clearly told the deadline by their insurance company.

At Martin Roofing and Solar, we regularly help homeowners who:

• Didn’t know they still had time to file

• Had a claim denied initially

• Didn’t have leaks and assumed their roof was fine

This guide explains exactly how roof insurance claim timelines work in Texas, why acting sooner is almost always better, and how Houston homeowners can still get help months after a storm.

How Long Do You Typically Have to File a Roof Insurance Claim in Texas?

The Short Answer

In most Texas homeowners insurance policies, the deadline to file a roof insurance claim is typically around 12 months from the date of the storm.

However, that timeline:

• Can vary by insurance carrier

• Can vary by policy language

• Can depend on circumstances surrounding the damage

This is why relying on “what you heard” or “what your neighbor said” can cost you your entire claim.

Can You Still File a Roof Insurance Claim with Your Carrier in Texas?

For most homeowners in Texas:

• 12 months is the most common deadline

• Some policies allow slightly more time

• Some policies are more restrictive

Insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate, USAA, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, Nationwide, Travelers, Safeco, Progressive, and AAA all write policies differently.

Even within the same carrier, policy language can change year to year.

That’s why the safest rule is simple:

The sooner you get your roof inspected after a storm, the better.

Why Insurance Companies Don’t Remind You About Deadlines

Insurance carriers are not required to remind you that your claim window is closing.

In fact, many carriers benefit financially when homeowners:

• Wait too long

• Miss deadlines

• Assume no leaks means no damage

Some major carriers — including those that rhyme with “All Fate” and “State Harm” — have been publicly questioned about denial practices and delay tactics, including in Congressional hearings.

(You can click this link here to those hearings.)

April Hail in The Woodlands: A Perfect Example of Delayed Roof Damage Inspections

In April, a major hailstorm impacted The Woodlands, including:

• Alden Bridge

• Panther Creek

• Indian Springs

• Research Forest

Many homeowners did not notice immediate leaks. Months later, they began seeing:

• Granule loss

• Deterioration at ridge caps

• Soft metal damage

• Accelerated shingle aging

By the time some homeowners called us, they were 6+ months past the storm date — dangerously close to the typical Texas claim deadline.

Real-Life Example: Approved For a Roof at 11 Months

One homeowner in Cypress, Texas contacted Martin Roofing and Solar 11 months after a hailstorm, just weeks before their likely 12-month deadline.

They had:

• No visible leaks

• No missing shingles

• Previously thought the roof “looked okay” from the ground

Our inspection documented:

• Widespread hail bruising across multiple slopes

• Compromised ridge cap shingles

• Damaged soft metals consistent with the storm date

The insurance company initially pushed back.

We helped the homeowner:

• Request further review

• Provide detailed documentation

• Tie damage directly to the storm date

The claim was approved — just before the deadline — and the homeowner received a full roof replacement covered by insurance.

Had they waited another month, the claim would have been permanently denied and they wouldn't have saved $10,000+ off their needed roof replacement!

“I Don’t Have Leaks” Does NOT Mean “I Don’t Have Roof Damage”

This is one of the most important points for Houston homeowners.

How Hail Damages a Roof Without Causing Immediate Leaks

Hail can:

• Bruise shingles without puncturing them

• Crack the fiberglass mat beneath the surface

• Dislodge protective granules

These bruises weaken shingles and cause slow, progressive deterioration.

Over time, this can lead to:

• Tiny leaks that develop months later

• Rotting decking

• Mold growth

• Interior damage far removed from the original impact point

How Wind Roof Damage Often Goes Unnoticed

High winds common in Spring, Katy, and Jersey Village can:

• Crease shingles

• Lift and unseal adhesive strips

• Tear shingles at fastener points

Much of this damage:

• Is not visible from the ground

• Requires walking the roof

• Requires trained inspection

This is why many homeowners never even get an inspection saying:

“No visible damage from ground level.”

Why Waiting to File a Claim Can Hurt Even If You’re Within the Deadline

Even if you’re still technically within the 12-month window, waiting can make your claim harder.

Insurance companies may argue:

• Wear and tear

• Deferred maintenance

• “This didn’t happen during the storm”

The more time that passes, the easier it is for them to make those arguments.

What If Your Roof Insurance Claim Was Denied?

A denial is not always the end of the road.

Many homeowners in Houston, The Heights, Cypress, and The Woodlands are denied on the first inspection.

Common reasons include:

• Incomplete inspections

• Poor documentation

At Martin Roofing and Solar, we frequently help homeowners:

• Reopen claims

• Request reinspections

• Correct inaccurate assessments

(How Roofing Insurance Claims Work in Houston: A Complete Guide)

Why Free Roof Inspections Matter After Any Major Houston Storm

After any hail or significant wind event in Houston:

• You may have zero damage

• Or you may have damage you won’t see for months

A professional inspection gives you:

• Clarity

• Documentation

• Peace of mind if you have no damage

This is especially important in:

• The Woodlands

• Cypress

• Jersey Village

• The Heights

• Spring

• Katy

Where storms often affect neighborhoods unevenly.

Should I File a Hail Damage Insurance Roof Claim In Texas?

How Martin Roofing and Solar Helps Houston Homeowners

Martin Roofing and Solar in the Greater Houston and Greater Austin areas is a local, 5-star Google rated roofing company specializing in insurance-related roof replacements.

What Sets Us Apart

• Deep experience with Texas insurance claims

• Proven success with denied and underpaid claims

• RCAT & NRCA membership

• Top Level Manufacturer certifications with CertainTeed & IKO

• Drone and physical inspections

• Clear, homeowner-first guidance

We don’t just inspect your roof — we walk you through the entire process from start to finish.

(Roofing Insurance Claims Process in Texas)

Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss Your Claim Window

If your home in Houston was hit by:

• The June hail in The Woodlands

• Any hail in the last 12 months

• Any major wind storm in the last year

You may still have time — but that window closes fast.

The cost of waiting can be tens of thousands of dollars.

Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection Today

If you’re unsure about your roof, Martin Roofing and Solar is here to help. Our inspections are free, thorough, and pressure-free.

👉 Contact Martin Roofing and Solar in the Greater Houston and Greater Austin areas today to schedule your free roof inspection and protect your home before your claim window closes.

Houston:

832-617-4037

Austin:

512-298-2944