If you are a Savannah homeowner dealing with roof damage, the insurance claim process can feel like navigating a maze. Do not skip the claim and pay out of pocket. Your insurance is money you have been paying every month for exactly this situation.
Georgia Insurance Claim Basics
- • Filing deadline: Most policies require claims within 1 year; some within 180 days.
- • Adjuster response: Georgia requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 15 days.
- • Payment timeline: Once approved, payment must be issued within 40 days in Georgia.
- • Right to choose contractor: Georgia law guarantees your right to choose your own contractor.
- • Right to supplement: You can submit additional documentation if the initial assessment missed items.
Savannah Unique Insurance Challenges
- • Named storm deductibles: Many coastal Georgia policies have separate (higher) deductibles for named storms. Your deductible might be $1,000 for a regular storm but 2-5% of your home value for a hurricane. On a $350,000 home, that is $7,000-$17,500.
- • Wind/hail exclusions: Some budget policies exclude or limit wind/hail coverage.
- • Insurance availability: Major carriers have been pulling out of coastal Georgia.
- • Roof age restrictions: Insurers are increasingly refusing to cover roofs over 15-20 years old.
The Process: Step-by-Step
- Storm hits — Inspect immediately. Call us for a professional inspection — we respond within 24-48 hours after storms.
- Document everything. We provide a complete damage report with photos, measurements, and scope of work.
- File your claim promptly. Call the claims line on your insurance card.
- Adjuster visit — we will be there. We meet them on-site to ensure all damage is documented.
- Review the offer. Compare the insurance estimate to ours. If items are missing, we submit a supplement on your behalf.
- Approve and schedule. Most jobs take 1-2 days.
- Recoverable depreciation. If you have RCV coverage, send proof of completed work to collect the depreciation holdback.
Do Not Skip the Supplement
On about 60% of claims we handle, the initial adjuster estimate is missing items. Supplements typically add $1,500-$4,000 to the claim — money that is rightfully yours.
We handle insurance claims every week. The inspection, adjuster meeting, and supplement work are all free. Get started with a free inspection.
