Insurance Roof Claims in Houston Texas: Why Multiple Bids Won’t Help
- William Martin
- Oct 17
- 8 min read
When a big Texas hailstorm hits, many homeowners suddenly find themselves dealing with roof damage and the confusing world of insurance claims. You file your claim, your insurance adjuster comes out, and soon after, you’re handed a confusing breakdown of what the insurance company is willing to pay for your roof replacement.
At that point, most homeowners think they’re being smart by collecting multiple estimates from different roofing companies, as that's what you normally would do for home improvement projects — maybe even trying to “save a little money” by finding the lowest bid. But here’s the truth that surprises most people:
👉 You can’t make money on an insurance claim.
👉 And chasing the cheapest bid can actually cost you big.
This isn’t just our opinion at Martin Roofing & Solar — it’s how Texas insurance law and claim payments work. Let’s break it down clearly so you can understand what’s really happening behind the scenes.
Why You Don’t Need Multiple Bids for Roof Insurance Work
Imagine you just found out you need surgery. Your insurance covers the cost after your out-of-pocket copay of $2,000. Would you start calling around town to find the cheapest surgeon in town— not the best one — just to save your insurance company a few bucks? Of course not. You’d want the most experienced, reputable, and trustworthy surgeon you could find, because the work being done affects your health, your comfort, and your future.
Your deductible is your copay — it stays the same no matter who performs the work. Whether you go to the top specialist in Houston or the cheapest doctor you can find, that copay doesn’t change. So why risk quality when you’re not the one saving any money? The only one who benefits from a cheaper invoice is your insurance company, not you.
Your roof works the same way. It protects your home, your family, and everything inside it. When a storm damages your roof and your insurance approves a claim, your job isn’t to find the lowest bidder — it’s to find a contractor you can trust to do the job right. The replacement cost value (RCV) has already been determined by your insurance company based on fair market pricing. This is also why you don't need an estimate from us. So when you collect multiple bids and choose the cheapest option, you’re not saving yourself anything; you’re simply making it easier for your insurance carrier to pay out less — often at the expense of your roof’s quality, longevity, and warranty.
It’s not uncommon for low-bid roofers to undercut the price just to win your business, but that savings comes from somewhere — and it’s almost always at your expense. Maybe they skip using underlayment or ice and water shield, use much cheaper shingles that aren’t rated for Houston’s heat, wind, and hail or do a second layer (“layover”) instead of a full tear-off. Some even cut corners on ventilation or flashing, which can lead to leaks, premature shingle failure, or warranty voids down the line.
And when these companies operate illegally by waiving deductibles to make their numbers work, they put you at risk too. The Texas Insurance Code clearly prohibits deductible waivers — and homeowners have seen contractors fined, shut down, or even arrested for it. You can imagine how useful your “warranty” is once that company disappears overnight.
At the end of the day, choosing a cheaper roofer doesn’t save you money. It just saves your insurance company money — while leaving you with a lower-quality roof, a voided warranty, and no one to call when problems appear six months later.
What Happens When You Accept a Lower Bid for Your Roof
Here’s where it gets even trickier. Most homeowners don’t realize that the insurance company pays your roofing contractor in stages — and if your contractor sends a final invoice for less than what was approved, the insurance company reduces your final payment.
Let’s say your insurance company approved a $20,000 roof replacement.
They issue your first check for the Actual Cash Value (ACV) — that’s the depreciated value of your roof.
You pay your deductible out of pocket.
Once the job is completed, the roofer submits a Certificate of Completion, proof that you paid your deductible, and a final invoice to your insurance company.
Then the insurance releases the recoverable depreciation and any supplements (the second check) to bring your total payout up to the full approved RCV.
Now here’s the key part — if your contractor sends in a final invoice for less than the insurance-approved amount, the insurance company assumes the job cost less, and they reduce your final payout accordingly.
You don’t “save” money or get to keep any money on the back end. You just get a cheaper roof — and your insurance company saves the difference.
The Real Risk of Multiple Bids: Cheaper Roof, Cheaper Workmanship
When you chase the lowest bid, more reputable roofing companies are immediately taken out of the running. Certified, insured, reviewed, RCAT-registered contractors like Martin Roofing & Solar don’t cut corners or manipulate pricing to match fly-by-night roofers who use low-quality shingles, cut corners on materials, and lack certifications and experience.
That’s how you end up with:
Cheaper products that won't last in Texas' climate
Cut corners with key materials being omitted
Lack of warranties and peace of mind if that company disappears
Lack of knowledge and experience on the roof insurance claim process
Why You Can’t Profit from an Insurance Roof Claim
When you file a roof claim through your insurance, your policy is designed to restore your home to its pre-loss condition — not improve it, and not make you money on the back end. The insurance company’s payout is based on the fair market value to perform the work correctly using comparable materials.
If the total approved cost to replace your roof (called the Replacement Cost Value, or RCV) is $20,000 and your deductible is $3,000, your insurance company owes $17,000, not a penny more.
You are legally required to pay your deductible — the same way you’d pay your copay at the doctor. Texas law (see Texas Insurance Code § 707.002) makes this clear:
“It is a violation for a contractor or roofer to waive, absorb, or rebate a deductible.”
If a contractor tells you they can “cover” or “eat” your deductible, they are not only breaking the law — they’re also putting you at serious risk of insurance fraud and potential fines and jail time for both you and the contractor. Read all about it straight from the Texas Department of Insurance here!
So the goal is simple: the insurance pays to replace your roof the right way, and you pay your deductible. That’s it. There’s no extra money to pocket, and there’s no way to “come out ahead.”
What a Legitimate Roofing Company Submits to Insurance
A professional roofing contractor experienced in insurance claims knows exactly what the insurance company needs to see to release full payment. At Martin Roofing & Solar, we handle this process daily and ensure nothing is missed.
Here’s what we submit after the roof replacement:
Certificate of Completion – verifying that the project is finished according to scope.
Proof of Deductible Payment – required under Texas law.
Final Invoice – matching or exceeding the insurance-approved total if they omitted any critical items (supplements your insurance will cover).
This step is crucial. If the final invoice doesn’t match what the insurance originally approved, the insurance company will withhold part of the depreciation — and you’ll never see that money again.
By following this process correctly, homeowners get the full RCV payout, the roof they deserve, and the peace of mind that everything was done ethically and legally.
A Breakdown of the Roof Insurance Payment Stages
To fully understand how your roof claim is structured, let’s look at the three key stages of payment:
1. The First Insurance Check – Actual Cash Value (ACV)
This is the first payment you receive after your claim is approved. It represents the depreciated value of your roof — what it’s worth today, not what it costs to replace.
It’s typically smaller, because your roof has “aged” since installation.
2. Your Deductible – Your Responsibility
Texas law requires that you, the homeowner, pay your deductible directly to the contractor. Roofing companies are required to provide proof that you’ve paid it before the insurance releases the final payment.
3. The Second Insurance Check – Recoverable Depreciation
Once the job is complete, your roofer sends documentation to your insurance company. The insurance then releases the depreciation and any approved supplements to bring your total payout up to the full Replacement Cost Value (RCV) for the contractor.
That final check isn’t a bonus or extra profit — it’s the final piece that completes your full roof replacement payment. You can read all about the full roof insurance claim process here!
How Homeowners Can Protect Themselves During a Roof Insurance Claim
Here are a few quick tips every Texas homeowner should follow:
Choose a certified, local roofer. Companies like Martin Roofing & Solar are RCAT register, manufacturer certified and maintain local offices in both Greater Houston and Greater Austin.
Avoid roofers who “waive” deductibles. That’s insurance fraud — and could void your claim entirely.
Don’t chase the lowest bid. Your goal is to get your roof restored to pre-loss condition with quality materials and reputable workmanship.
Keep everything documented. Save your estimates, invoices, and proof of deductible payment.
Read local reviews: We have over 150+ verified 5-star reviews on google from here in town!
Ask your roofer to handle supplements. Often, hidden damage (like decking or code upgrades) can be approved later if properly submitted and they know what they are doing.
Why Insurance Companies Ask for Proof and Paperwork
It might feel tedious, but there’s a reason insurance carriers ask for these documents:
Certificate of Completion: Confirms that your roof was actually replaced.
Proof of Deductible Payment: Ensures you followed Texas law and paid your deductible.
Final Invoice: Tells the insurer how much was truly spent or charged by the contractor.
They’re verifying that the funds were used appropriately. If the numbers don’t line up — for example, a contractor submits a lower invoice — they’ll simply pay less on the back end.
That’s why working with an experienced roofing company that understands this process is key to maximizing your claim benefits and avoiding delays.
The Big Takeaway: Don’t Save Your Insurance Company Money at Your Expense
It might sound harsh, but it’s true — when homeowners chase the lowest bid, they’re doing their insurance company a favor, not themselves.
The only money you’re responsible for is your deductible. Beyond that, your insurance is already paying to replace your roof properly. Cutting corners just means you’ll get a lower-quality roof that may fail faster, leak sooner, and void your warranty.
At Martin Roofing & Solar, we help homeowners throughout Houston, The Woodlands, Katy, Cypress, Jersey Village, and all of Greater Houston and Austin get full, fair roof replacements covered by insurance. We handle the paperwork, meet with adjusters, and ensure every roof is completed with top-tier materials and craftsmanship — never cutting corners to save your insurer a few bucks.
Final Thoughts
You can’t make money on an insurance claim — and you shouldn’t try. The best way to “come out ahead” is by choosing a roofing company that protects your investment, your home, and your peace of mind.
If you’re filing a roof claim in Houston or anywhere in Texas, call Martin Roofing & Solar today for a free inspection. We’ll walk you through the process, handle communication with your insurance, and make sure your new roof is something you can trust for decades to come.
Houston
832-617-4037
Autin:
512-298-2944
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