Your insurer agrees the storm damaged your roof. They just won’t pay enough to fix it. Maybe they approved a repair when the roof needs replacing. Maybe their estimate leaves out the decking, the vents, or the flashing. That gap is exactly what Texas roof insurance appraisal is built for.
Russell Mullin, who owns STX Roofing, worked as an insurance adjuster before he started the company. He’s seen appraisal from the carrier’s side. Here’s how the process works, what changed this year, and when it’s worth using.
What Insurance Appraisal Is
Appraisal settles one kind of fight: how much the loss is worth. It isn’t a lawsuit, and it isn’t a complaint. It’s a process written into your policy.
Here’s how a typical appraisal clause works. Either side can demand appraisal in writing. You pick an appraiser, and your insurer picks one. The two appraisers try to agree on the amount. If they can’t, they choose an umpire to settle the differences. When any two of the three agree, that number sets the amount of loss. Each side usually pays its own appraiser and splits the umpire’s cost.
What Changed Under the New Law
For years, most Texas homeowners policies included an appraisal clause, but some insurers tried to limit it. In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 458. It added a new chapter to the Insurance Code. Now home policies must include an appraisal clause.
The law applies to policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Under it, either side can demand appraisal, and the award is binding on the amount of loss. Two kinds of policies are left out: Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policies and commercial policies.
The Texas Department of Insurance has proposed rules on deadlines and who can serve as an appraiser. Check TDI’s current rules before you demand appraisal. Deadlines may apply to your claim.
What Appraisal Can and Can’t Decide
This is where people get tripped up. Appraisal decides how much. It doesn’t decide whether your damage is covered.
The Texas Supreme Court has said appraisers decide the amount of loss, not how to read the policy or whether coverage applies. So if your claim was denied outright, appraisal usually isn’t the right tool. That’s a coverage fight. It may call for a lawyer or a complaint to TDI.
Appraisal fits best when the insurer agrees there’s covered damage but you disagree on the scope or the price. Common examples on roofs include:
- A repair approved when you believe the damage calls for a full replacement
- Missing line items, like drip edge, vents, pipe jacks, or decking
- Labor or material pricing that doesn’t reflect what the work actually costs
- Damaged gutters or other parts of the roof system left off the estimate
How to Use Appraisal on a Roof Claim
1. Get your own documentation. You need more than a feeling the number is low. Start with an independent roof inspection with photos and measurements. We provide written roof condition letters homeowners can share with their insurer.
2. Try to resolve it first. Ask your adjuster for a re-inspection, and send your documentation. Many gaps close at this stage.
3. Read your policy. Find the appraisal section. Note how a demand must be made and any deadlines.
4. Make a written demand. If you still disagree on the amount, send a written appraisal demand as your policy directs.
5. Hire an independent appraiser. Choose someone with roofing claim experience who has no stake in the outcome.
Can My Roofer Be My Appraiser?
Generally, no. Appraisers are supposed to be disinterested. That means they don’t gain from the result. A roofer who will get the job if the number goes up doesn’t meet that standard. TDI’s proposed rules also call for appraisers to be independent.
That’s why STX Roofing doesn’t serve as a homeowner’s appraiser. What we do is document the damage clearly, so your appraiser has solid evidence to work from. Our roof insurance claim help and storm damage inspections are built around that.
Is Appraisal Worth It?
It depends on the size of the gap. You’ll pay your own appraiser and part of the umpire. If the difference is small, those costs can eat most of it. If the insurer’s estimate is far below what the roof needs, appraisal can be a faster, cheaper path than a lawsuit.
For a broader look at how roof claims work from start to finish, see our guide to the Texas roof insurance claim process.
Talk It Through with a Former Adjuster
Texas roof insurance appraisal is a strong tool when it’s used for the right kind of dispute. Before you demand it, get clear documentation of your roof. Call STX Roofing at (281) 601-7663 for a free inspection. We’ll document the damage and explain what we see, in plain terms.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your specific claim, talk to a licensed Texas attorney or contact the Texas Department of Insurance.
