A good claim starts with good records. Here’s the order to do things in, and the clock your insurer has to follow once you file.
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Report the damage to your insurer as soon as you can, with photos and the storm date. Texas law then gives the company 15 days to acknowledge the claim and start its review, 15 business days after it has everything it needs to accept or reject it in writing, and 5 business days to pay once it agrees. Your policy sets your own deadline to report, often one year from the date of loss, so check it.
| Step | Deadline under Texas law |
|---|---|
| Acknowledge your claim, start reviewing it, ask for what it needs | 15 days |
| Accept or reject in writing | 15 business days after it gets everything it asked for (it can take up to 45 days if it tells you why it needs more time) |
| Pay after agreeing to pay all or part | 5 business days |
TDI can extend these deadlines by 15 days after a weather disaster. If the company rejects the claim, it has to tell you why in writing.
There isn’t one Texas deadline for every policy. Many policies require you to report damage “as soon as possible” or within a set window, often one year from the date of loss, and set a separate, longer deadline to sue, commonly two years and one day. Report hail damage promptly; waiting also makes it harder to show which storm caused it.
Your policy sets it. Many policies say to report as soon as possible or within a set time, often one year from the date of loss. Check your policy and file promptly.
Five business days after it tells you it will pay all or part of the claim. Before that, it has 15 business days after receiving everything it needs to accept or reject the claim.
It helps. You’ll know whether the damage is above your deductible, and you can compare the adjuster’s estimate with a contractor’s line by line.
A roofer can share photos and an estimate, but under Texas law a roofing contractor can’t act as a public adjuster or negotiate your claim.
This guide is general information for Texas homeowners, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy, your city and your house decide the details.
