How the Roof Insurance Claim Process Works in Hawaii
If your roof has been damaged by severe weather, the insurance process involves several moving parts before repair work actually begins. Here is what to expect from start to finish.
Free inspection and estimate. Written reports available for a fee.
Defining the Roles: Who Handles What?
Understanding each party's role early on will save you time and frustration.
Your Insurance Carrier's Role
- Reviews your policy and claim requirements.
- Determines whether the loss is officially covered.
- Assigns an adjuster to determine the payout amount under the policy.
- Handles all final claim decisions, settlements, and dispute resolutions.
R&C Roofing's Role
- Inspects accessible roofing areas for physical damage.
- Documents relevant structural conditions with photos and technical notes.
- Provides a professional contractor-side scope or estimate.
- Completes the physical roofing work if the project moves forward.
The Step-by-Step Claim Roadmap
01
Document the Damage and Protect the Property
Once the severe weather has passed and it is safe, take photos or videos of visible damage from the ground (e.g., shingles in the yard, ceiling stains). If water is entering the home, take reasonable steps to prevent further interior damage and save all receipts for protective materials. Never climb onto a wet or damaged roof yourself.
02
Contact Your Insurance Carrier
Review your policy's claim procedures and contact your agent to report the damage. They will explain their required information, deductible rules, and deadlines. Provide them with factual information about what you observed.
03
Property Evaluation (Adjuster and Contractor)
Your insurance carrier will likely assign an adjuster to inspect the property to evaluate the financial loss. Separately, R&C evaluates the roofing system as a contractor. Robert Pilato (Certification #201408313) brings specialized HAAG-certified training to document displaced materials, flashing failures, and impact zones that an adjuster might miss.
04
Review the Carrier's Decision and Scope
After reviewing the claim, your carrier will provide their decision and approved payout. We will separately explain the roofing work we believe is necessary based on the physical facts. If the scopes match, the project moves directly into scheduling. If the scopes differ, we provide additional contractor-side documentation to help you explain to your carrier why further structural work is required to properly fix the home.
05
Complete the Roofing Work
Once the project is approved and you select R&C (Hawaii License C-33642), we execute the agreed-upon repair or replacement according to Hawaii building standards.
The Claim Documentation Checklist
Keeping your records organized makes it much easier to track what happened throughout the process. Your carrier may require specific documents, but you should generally keep copies of:
- Photos and videos taken immediately after the damage.
- Your official claim number and written carrier communications.
- Carrier estimates or scope documents.
- R&C inspection photos and structural findings.
- Receipts for any temporary protective measures (tarps, buckets, etc.).
- Final signed roofing contracts and invoices.
Common Roadblocks
What If Additional Damage Is Found During Construction?
Sometimes hidden rot or structural issues only become visible after we remove the old materials. If this happens, we document the new condition immediately. You must then contact your carrier to review the new findings—never assume additional work is automatically covered.
What If Your Claim Is Denied or Underpaid?
Start by carefully reviewing your carrier’s written explanation. We can provide additional contractor-side documentation regarding the physical facts, but we cannot overturn a denial, interpret your policy, or act as a public adjuster to negotiate on your behalf.
Explore Our Claim Resources
If you hit a specific roadblock or need to start the process, review our dedicated guides:
Need Help With the Roofing Side of Your Claim?
Understand the true condition of your roofing system and the exact work that is needed before you move forward.
R&C Roofing Contractors
3302 Campbell Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 888-2524