Hail Just Hit? Your 7-Step Roof Claim Checklist + What Insurance Should Cover in Knoxville, 2026

The 7-Step Storm Claim Checklist

Stay safe, then stabilize

Avoid climbing on the roof. Do a ground-level walk-around, shoot clear, timestamped photos and 20-30 second videos of all sides, downspouts, soft metals (gutters, fascia, flashing), AC fins, fences, and any broken glass.

Inside, photograph ceiling spots and attic moisture. If water is entering, do temporary protective repairs (tarps, plastic sheeting) and save all receipts, “reasonable emergency repairs” are typically reimbursable by insurers.

File your claim promptly

Call your insurer or agent right away and log the claim number. Tennessee regulators repeatedly advise filing as soon as possible after severe weather; quick notice helps you meet policy deadlines and speeds assignment to an adjuster.

Order a professional inspection with documentation

Ask a reputable Knoxville roofer for a storm report + photo package documenting hail size indicators (dented soft metals, bruised shingles, cracked tiles), wind direction, and slopes affected.

A written repair/replacement scope with itemized line items (underlayment, ridge, vents, flashings, ice/water shield in valleys) will help set expectations with the adjuster.

(If your material is discontinued or no longer matches, see “Matching” below.)

Meet the adjuster (with your contractor)

Be there, ideally with your roofer, to walk each slope and accessory. Keep the discussion factual (“what was damaged” - “what it takes to restore”).

If access is tricky (steep or high), ask the carrier for a drone or ladder-assist inspection so the whole roof is properly viewed.

Know your coverage type: RCV vs. ACV

With Replacement Cost Value (RCV), the carrier typically pays the full cost to restore covered damage (you pay the deductible), releasing “recoverable depreciation” after work is completed.

With Actual Cash Value (ACV), depreciation stays deducted, leaving you with a larger out-of-pocket.

Check your declarations page or ask your agent which applies to your roof (some policies are RCV on the house but ACV on the roof). naic.org

Watch for exclusions & special deductibles

Some Tennessee policies use a separate wind/hail deductible (often a flat amount or % of Coverage A).

Others add cosmetic-damage exclusions, especially for metal roofs, that may deny coverage for dents that don’t cause leaks. Know your exact language before you choose between repair and replacement. hutins.com

If there’s a dispute, escalate smartly

Ask, in writing, for the carrier’s itemized estimate and the policy provisions behind any denial or omitted line items (e.g., ridge caps, pipe boots, valley metal).

You can request a re-inspection, consult a third party contractor, or explore the policy’s appraisal clause if disagreements persist.

If you suspect unfair treatment, you can file a complaint with the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) Consumer Insurance Services online or by mail; they mediate consumer complaints statewide. cloudfront.net

What Your Insurance Should Cover in Knoxville (The 2026 Edition)

• Wind & hail as covered perils

Most standard homeowners policies cover direct physical loss from wind and hail. In real life, that often includes hail-bruised shingles, fractured mats, broken tiles, cracked skylights, dented soft metals, and wind-torn tabs or ridge.

(Confirm on your declarations page—language varies by insurer.)

• RCV vs. ACV payout math

If you have RCV, expect an initial payment (ACV minus deductible), then a second payment for recoverable depreciation after the work is completed.

Under ACV-only, depreciation isn’t reimbursed, so the final payout is lower. This difference can make or break a roof replacement budget. naic.org

• Tennessee’s “matching” requirement (big Knoxville tip)

Tennessee regulations say that when the replacement materials don’t match in quality, color, or size, the insurer must replace enough to create a “reasonably uniform appearance.”

This applies to interior and exterior losses, and you shouldn’t owe more than your deductible for that uniformity when the loss is covered. Practically, if only part of the roof was damaged but the shingle is discontinued (or can’t be matched due to age/fade), the scope may need to expand so the finished result is uniform. law.cornell.edu

• Ordinance or law (code upgrade) coverage

Building code changes since your last roof can require ice/water barrier in valleys, new ventilation, or updated flashing details.

Ordinance or Law coverage (an endorsement/limit on many policies) helps pay those code-mandated upgrades after a covered loss, costs that base coverage may not fully pay. Ask your agent to confirm your O&L limit before work starts. thezebra.com

• Cosmetic damage caveat (especially for metal)

Many insurers now exclude purely cosmetic hail damage (dents/dings that don’t affect watertightness), particularly on metal roofs.

The result: a steep roof dotted with dents may not be covered unless the policy lacks the exclusion, or the dents impair seams/locks or finish integrity.

Read your policy’s hail/cosmetic and marring language closely before you sign off on a cash settlement. mwl-law.com

• Emergency mitigation and contents

Reasonable temporary repairs (tarps, drying) and measures to protect contents are typically covered when you keep receipts and the damage stems from a covered peril.

If interior water damage occurred because the hail compromised the roof, related repairs are commonly included in the claim scope.

Knoxville Specific Context

(Why spring claims spike)

Large hail in East Tennessee peaks in late spring, with May historically showing a pronounced maximum for big hail events in the Morristown/Knoxville forecast area, one more reason to keep your documentation game sharp this time of year.

Pro Tips for a Smoother Knoxville Storm Damage Insurance Claim

• Two estimates beat one. Competing, line-item estimates reduce ambiguity and help align the carrier’s scope with real-world contractor pricing.

• Ask about impact-resistant options. If you’re re-roofing, Class 4 impact-rated shingles or thicker-gauge metal may qualify for premium credits with some carriers, ask before you choose. law.cornell.edu

• Don’t rush to sign contingency agreements. Make sure any contract allows you to exit if the insurer’s scope is inadequate or the price can’t be reconciled.

• Keep a claim diary. Dates, names, and summaries of calls/emails make escalations easier if needed.

• When in doubt, loop in TDCI. They can’t act as your lawyer, but they do mediate and ensure carriers follow Tennessee insurance rules.