My homeowners insurance denied my roof hail claim. How do I appeal it?

Home insuranceAppealChecked Nov 6, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Texas Department of Insurance · Why would my home insurance claim be denied or not paid? · What can you do? View original ↗

In short

The insurer must tell you in writing why it said no.
Send the insurer your proof and ask it to look again.
If it still says no, ask your state insurance office for help.

What this means

Start with the letter. In Texas, the Department of Insurance (TDI) says the company must tell you in writing why it denied a claim [1]. Read the reason. Some claims are denied because the policy does not cover that damage. Others are closed because the damage cost less than your deductible.

If you think the company should pay more, tell it why. Send papers that back you up, like a contractor's repair estimate [2]. Do this in writing and keep copies.

If you and the company only disagree about the amount of the loss, many policies allow appraisal. Two appraisers try to agree on the amount [3]. Appraisal can not decide if something is covered [4]. You can also complain to your state insurance office. In Texas, TDI can ask the company to look at the policy again [5]. In California, a denial letter must say you may have the matter reviewed by the state Department of Insurance [6]. Rules differ by state, so check your own state.

Your next step

Find your denial letter and read the reason. Write to the company, say why you disagree, and attach your estimate and photos. The sources give no deadline for this letter, so check your policy for time limits and do it soon.

Check it yourself

Open your denial letter and your policy. Look for the exclusion it names, any appraisal clause, and any time limit for suing or asking for review. Open your state insurance department site to see how to file a complaint. Whether your policy has a time limit to appeal inside the company: "Don't know yet".

Where this comes from (6)

[1] Texas Department of Insurance · Why would my home insurance claim be denied or not paid? · What can you do? · checked 2026-11-06
The insurance company must tell you in writing why it denied a claim.
[2] Texas Department of Insurance · Why would my home insurance claim be denied or not paid? · What can you do? · checked 2026-11-06
If you think the company should pay more for a claim, tell the company why and send them supporting documents, such as a contractor’s estimate for the repairs.
[3] Texas Department of Insurance · Get help with an auto, home, life/annuity, or other insurance complaint · Step 1 · checked 2026-11-06
In the appraisal process, two appraisers – one representing you and the other representing the insurance company – will try to agree on the amount of the damages.
[4] Texas Department of Insurance · Get help with an auto, home, life/annuity, or other insurance complaint · Step 1 · checked 2026-11-06
You can’t use appraisal to decide whether something is covered by your policy.
[5] Texas Department of Insurance · Why would my home insurance claim be denied or not paid? · What can you do? · checked 2026-11-06
TDI can ask a company to relook at the policy to be sure it made the correct decision.
[6] Cornell LII · Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 10, § 2695.7 · (b)(3) · checked 2026-11-06
the claimant may have the matter reviewed by the California Department of Insurance

How we found this

We matched your question to 6 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

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