Question 1

Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first after storm damage?

Accepted Answer

Call a roofer first. Once you file a claim the insurance company's clock starts and an adjuster gets assigned. Having your own inspection documentation before that adjuster arrives puts you in a fundamentally stronger position. We inspect first, document everything, then you file with a clear picture of what your home is owed.

Question 2

What is the difference between ACV and RCV?

Accepted Answer

ACV is Actual Cash Value: what your old roof was worth after depreciation. RCV is Replacement Cost Value: what it actually costs to replace your roof at today's prices. Under RCV your insurance company withholds the depreciation amount and releases it as a second check once the work is complete. Many policies shift from RCV to ACV as roofs age. Knowing which you have before you file changes everything.

Question 3

What happens at the adjuster meeting?

Accepted Answer

The adjuster inspects your roof and produces an estimate for your insurance company. If we are not present you have no way of knowing what got missed or minimized. When our team is there we walk the roof alongside the adjuster, reference our own documentation, and make sure every damage area is in scope. This is where most homeowners lose money without knowing it.

Question 4

What if the insurance estimate seems too low?

Accepted Answer

The first estimate is not always the final word. Insurance estimates can miss line items, use outdated pricing, or scope partial repairs when full replacement is warranted. We review estimates line by line and file supplements or request reinspections when the documentation supports a higher scope.

Question 5

What is a supplemental insurance claim?

Accepted Answer

A supplement is an additional claim filed when the original insurance estimate does not fully cover the scope of work. This happens when items were missed, material costs have changed, or additional damage is found during installation. Supplements are a normal part of the process and we handle them when the documentation supports it.

Question 6

Can a roofer help if my claim was denied?

Accepted Answer

We can help determine whether the denial was based on a complete and accurate inspection. If damage was missed or misclassified a reinspection with proper documentation is the appropriate next step. We cannot guarantee a reversal but we can make sure the denial was not based on incomplete assessment.

Question 7

Is waiving a deductible legal?

Accepted Answer

No. Waiving a deductible is insurance fraud for both the contractor and the homeowner. Any contractor offering to waive your deductible is a serious red flag. We do not waive deductibles under any circumstances.

Question 8

How many estimates should I get for an insurance claim?

Accepted Answer

For an insurance claim, multiple estimates are generally unnecessary. Insurance determines the scope and price of a covered claim. Getting the lowest bid actually works against you because insurers adjust their depreciation calculations downward when you come in under their estimate. What matters is finding a contractor with the credentials to document the full scope and advocate at the adjuster meeting.

Question 9

Do I need to be present when the insurance adjuster inspects my roof?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Be home for the adjuster meeting and call us so we can be there too. The adjuster's visit is when the official scope gets established. Your presence and ours ensures the inspection is thorough and nothing significant gets overlooked.

Question 10

How do I know if my roof has hail damage?

Accepted Answer

Most hail damage is not visible from the ground. Signs you might notice include granules in gutters, dents on gutters or metal vents, or cracked shingles on visible slopes. The only reliable way to know is a manual inspection by someone trained in hail damage identification. We provide that inspection for free.

Question 11

Does hail damage always mean I need a full replacement?

Accepted Answer

Not always. It depends on hail size, roof age, and the density of impacts. Functional damage that compromises the roof's protective ability typically qualifies for replacement. Cosmetic damage may not meet the threshold. A HAAG certified inspection gives you an honest answer based on what is actually there.

Question 12

How long do I have to file a hail damage claim?

Accepted Answer

Most policies allow one to two years from the storm date. However, waiting creates problems. Fresh damage is easier to document as storm-related. Over time weathering makes it harder to distinguish storm damage from normal wear and insurance companies will use that ambiguity against you.

Question 13

What does wind damage look like on a roof?

Accepted Answer

Lifted or missing shingles, broken seal strips, torn flashing, ridge cap loss, and damaged fascia and gutters. Broken seal strips are particularly common and dangerous because they are not visible from the ground. The shingle looks intact but is no longer bonded and will fail in the next storm.

Question 14

Does the north side of Kansas City get more hail than the south?

Accepted Answer

KC Northland and Clay County consistently see high hail frequency relative to the broader metro. The storm corridors that track across northern Missouri and into the KC area mean communities like Smithville, Kearney, Liberty, and surrounding cities face regular significant hail events most years.

Question 15

My neighbor filed a claim after the storm. Should I?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily, but get an inspection. Hail damage varies by roof orientation, age, and shingle type. Your neighbor's situation does not determine yours. We will tell you honestly whether your specific roof has damage that supports a claim.

Question 16

Can I file a claim on an older roof?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the type of payout may differ. Older roofs are more likely to be on ACV policies which pay depreciated value rather than full replacement cost. If your roof is approaching 15 years the time to act on a legitimate claim is before your policy changes further.

Question 17

How much does a roof inspection cost?

Accepted Answer

Free. No charge, no obligation. We inspect your roof, document what we find, and give you an honest assessment. If there is no damage worth acting on we tell you that and you owe us nothing.

Question 18

How long does a roof inspection take?

Accepted Answer

Most residential inspections take between 45 minutes and 90 minutes depending on roof size and complexity. We ask that you are available at the end so we can walk you through what we found and answer questions.

Question 19

Do I need to be home when my roof is replaced?

Accepted Answer

You do not need to be present during installation but we recommend being available at the start and end of the day. At the start we confirm material placement and any last details. At the end we do a final walkthrough together and run our magnetic nail sweep across the full property.

Question 20

How long does a roof replacement take?

Accepted Answer

Most residential roofs take one day. Larger or more complex roofs may take two days. We confirm the expected timeline before scheduling so you can plan accordingly.

Question 21

What should I do on roof replacement day?

Accepted Answer

If you have vehicles in the driveway move them to the street before the crew arrives. Keep pets inside. If you are sensitive to noise it is a good day to be out of the house. We handle everything else including cleanup and three to five magnetic nail sweeps of the property before we leave.

Question 22

Will RSG Construction be present when the insurance adjuster comes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We strongly encourage homeowners to have us present at the adjuster meeting. This is the single most important step in protecting the value of your claim. Call us as soon as your adjuster appointment is scheduled.

Question 23

I already have another roofer looking at my roof. Is a second opinion worth it?

Accepted Answer

Often yes. Our inspection is free. If the first inspection was done from the ground, with a drone, or without claims documentation experience details may have been missed. A second look costs you nothing and could change the outcome of your claim.

Question 24

How do I know when my roof needs to be replaced?

Accepted Answer

Signs include missing or curling shingles, granules accumulating in gutters, daylight visible in the attic, sagging areas, and persistent leaks after repairs. Age is also a factor. Most asphalt shingle roofs have a functional lifespan of 20 to 30 years depending on material grade and installation quality. A free inspection gives you a definitive answer.

Question 25

What is the difference between roof repair and roof replacement?

Accepted Answer

Repair addresses a specific damaged area while leaving the rest of the roof intact. Replacement removes all existing material and installs a complete new roofing system. For storm damage claims replacement is typically what insurance covers when functional damage is present across a significant portion of the roof.

Question 26

What is HAAG certification and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

HAAG Engineering is an independent firm that certifies inspectors in storm damage identification at an engineering-grade standard. Insurance companies recognize HAAG certification. It means our inspection documentation carries weight in the claims process in a way that a standard contractor walkthrough does not.

Question 27

Why do some roofing companies use drones and should I be concerned?

Accepted Answer

Drones are fast and cheap. The problem is they produce surface-level images that miss tactile findings: soft shingle bruising, broken seal strips, subtle granule loss patterns. These are the details a claims file requires and they can only be found by a trained inspector physically on the roof. A drone inspection that misses damage gives the insurance company grounds to reduce or deny your claim. We do not use drones.

Question 28

Can I keep my insurance check if I decide not to replace my roof?

Accepted Answer

Under an ACV policy you generally can keep the payment as the settlement for your loss. Under an RCV policy the insurance company withholds depreciation until the work is completed. If you do not complete the work you typically do not receive the withheld amount. Not completing covered repairs can also create complications with future claims on the same property.

Straight Answers to the Questions
KC Northland Homeowners Actually Ask.

How the claim process works.

Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first after storm damage?

What is the difference between ACV and RCV?

What happens at the adjuster meeting?

What if the insurance estimate seems too low?

What is a supplemental insurance claim?

Can a roofer help if my claim was denied?

Is waiving a deductible legal?

How many estimates should I get for an insurance claim?

Do I need to be present when the insurance adjuster inspects my roof?

Understanding what storms do to your roof.

How do I know if my roof has hail damage?

Does hail damage always mean I need a full replacement?

How long do I have to file a hail damage claim?

What does wind damage look like on a roof?

Does the north side of Kansas City get more hail than the south?

My neighbor filed a claim after the storm. Should I?

Can I file a claim on an older roof?

What to expect when you call us.

How much does a roof inspection cost?

How long does a roof inspection take?

Do I need to be home when my roof is replaced?

How long does a roof replacement take?

What should I do on roof replacement day?

Will RSG Construction be present when the insurance adjuster comes?

I already have another roofer looking at my roof. Is a second opinion worth it?

Understanding your home's most important system.

How do I know when my roof needs to be replaced?

What is the difference between roof repair and roof replacement?

What is HAAG certification and why does it matter?

Why do some roofing companies use drones and should I be concerned?

Can I keep my insurance check if I decide not to replace my roof?

Did not find your answer?

Straight Answers to the QuestionsKC Northland Homeowners Actually Ask.

How the claim process works.

Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first after storm damage?

What is the difference between ACV and RCV?

What happens at the adjuster meeting?

What if the insurance estimate seems too low?

What is a supplemental insurance claim?

Can a roofer help if my claim was denied?

Is waiving a deductible legal?

How many estimates should I get for an insurance claim?

Do I need to be present when the insurance adjuster inspects my roof?

Understanding what storms do to your roof.

How do I know if my roof has hail damage?

Does hail damage always mean I need a full replacement?

How long do I have to file a hail damage claim?

What does wind damage look like on a roof?

Does the north side of Kansas City get more hail than the south?

My neighbor filed a claim after the storm. Should I?

Can I file a claim on an older roof?

What to expect when you call us.

How much does a roof inspection cost?

How long does a roof inspection take?

Do I need to be home when my roof is replaced?

How long does a roof replacement take?

What should I do on roof replacement day?

Will RSG Construction be present when the insurance adjuster comes?

I already have another roofer looking at my roof. Is a second opinion worth it?

Understanding your home's most important system.

How do I know when my roof needs to be replaced?

What is the difference between roof repair and roof replacement?

What is HAAG certification and why does it matter?

Why do some roofing companies use drones and should I be concerned?

Can I keep my insurance check if I decide not to replace my roof?

Did not find your answer?

Straight Answers to the Questions
KC Northland Homeowners Actually Ask.