The Texas Hail Claim Timeline: Insurer Deadlines Homeowners Should Know
After a North Texas hailstorm, most homeowners want to know one thing: how long will this take? Chapter 542 of the Texas Insurance Code, the Prompt Payment of Claims law, sets the deadlines an insurer must meet. Here is each deadline in order, what the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) tells homeowners to do, and what a Dallas roofer should and should not say.
The claim timeline at a glance
These deadlines come from Subchapter B of chapter 542. A business day means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or Texas holiday. The first clock starts when the insurer receives a notice of claim, which the law defines as a written notification that reasonably tells the insurer the facts.
| Step | Deadline | What the insurer must do | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Claim received | 15 days after it receives notice of the claim | Acknowledge the claim, begin the investigation and request the items, statements and forms it reasonably believes it will need | Tex. Ins. Code 542.055 |
| 2. Decision | 15 business days after it receives everything it required | Tell you in writing whether it accepts or rejects the claim, with the reasons if it rejects | Tex. Ins. Code 542.056 |
| 2b. More time | Within the same 15 business days | Tell you why it needs more time, then accept or reject no later than 45 days after that notice | Tex. Ins. Code 542.056(d) |
| 3. Payment | 5 business days after it tells you it will pay | Pay the claim or the part it accepted; if payment depends on something you must do, 5 business days after you do it | Tex. Ins. Code 542.057 |
| Catastrophe | 15 additional days | After a weather related catastrophe or major natural disaster as defined by the commissioner, the deadlines are extended | Tex. Ins. Code 542.059(b) |
The insurer may ask for more information as the investigation goes on, so step 2 starts only when the last requested item arrives. With a reasonable basis to suspect arson, the decision deadline is 30 days. Eligible surplus lines insurers get 30 business days to acknowledge and 20 business days to pay. Some TDI pages describe the first deadline as 15 business days, while the statute says the 15th day, so put your claim in writing and note when you sent it.
What to do at each step
The deadlines only help if your part of the file is complete. Here is TDI's advice, step by step.
Before and when you file
- File as soon as you can. TDI says some policies have a one year deadline to file unless you can show good cause for the delay, so check your policy and do not wait.
- Take pictures and video of the damage and make a list of the damage inside and outside the house.
- Keep the damage from getting worse. TDI suggests covering broken windows and holes, and putting a tarp over a damaged roof. Your policy may pay for temporary repairs, so save every receipt. Hold off on permanent repairs until the insurer sees the damage.
- Do not throw damaged items away until your insurance company tells you it is fine.
While the insurer investigates
- Get the adjuster's name, phone number and email address.
- Answer requests quickly and keep a list of what the company asked for. The 15 business day decision clock starts only after the insurer has everything it required.
- Keep notes of everyone you talk to at the insurer.
When you get a decision
- If the claim is accepted, payment is due within 5 business days. With replacement cost coverage, TDI says most companies pay with two checks: the first for the estimated repair cost minus depreciation, and the rest after repairs are done.
- If you have a mortgage, the check is usually made out to you and your mortgage company. TDI says that after the mortgage company gets the information it needs, it must release all or some of the money to you within 10 days.
- If the claim is rejected, the insurer must give the reasons in writing. If you disagree with the amount, call your insurer or agent with supporting documentation. Appraisal is for disputes about the amount: you pay your appraiser and half the umpire's expenses, and the umpire's decision is binding.
- If you have a problem with your company, agent or adjuster, call TDI's Help Line at 800-252-3439, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. Complaints must be in writing, and TDI has an online complaint portal.
What happens if an insurer misses a deadline
Section 542.058 says that if an insurer delays payment for more than 60 days after receiving all the items it reasonably requested, unless another statute sets a different period, it owes damages under section 542.060. Those damages are interest on the claim amount plus reasonable and necessary attorney's fees.
Hail claims have an extra layer. Chapter 542A covers lawsuits over property claims caused by forces of nature, and it names hail. For those cases, the interest rate is calculated differently, and a homeowner generally must give the insurer written notice at least 61 days before filing suit. If it gets to that point, talk to a Texas attorney.
What Dallas roofers should and should not say
Homeowners lean on their roofer after a storm, which is exactly when the rules get tight. Our guide to Texas roofing and insurance rules covers deductibles, contracts and public adjusting. Here is the short version for the timeline.
| Say this | Not this |
|---|---|
| "File as soon as you can and keep everything in writing. Here is the TDI page on the steps." | "Do not file yet, let us handle the insurance for you." |
| "Your insurer has 15 days to acknowledge your claim and then 15 business days to decide once it has everything it asked for." | "We will get your claim approved this week." |
| "Here are dated photos and video of the damage we found, for your records." | "We will negotiate the settlement with your adjuster." |
| "You pay your deductible. Texas law requires it." | "We will cover your deductible" or "free roof" |
Every row on the right is either illegal or a promise you cannot keep. TDI states plainly that it is illegal to waive a homeowners deductible under state law and tells homeowners to avoid contractors who offer to. It also tells them to get more than one bid, never sign a contract with blank spaces and not pay in full up front. A roofer whose marketing matches that advice looks like the safe choice.
Turn the timeline into marketing that earns trust
The roofers who win after a storm usually explained the process before the homeowner had to ask. An honest explanation of the claim timeline is some of the most useful content a Dallas roofing company can publish.
- A short owner video that walks through the three deadlines and points to TDI. Pin it to your Google Business Profile and your storm page.
- Inspection footage filmed with the homeowner's permission, which doubles as the documentation TDI tells homeowners to collect.
- A storm landing page with the timeline table above, your service area and one clear way to book an inspection, scheduled around the DFW hail season marketing calendar.
Picture Perfect Video films and edits this kind of content for Dallas roofing companies and runs the ads and landing pages that go with it through our contractor marketing service.
Common questions
How long does an insurance company have to acknowledge a hail claim in Texas?
No later than the 15th day after it receives notice of the claim, under Texas Insurance Code 542.055. By then it must also begin investigating and request what it needs from you.
How long does a Texas insurer have to approve or deny a claim?
It must accept or reject the claim in writing within 15 business days after it receives all the items, statements and forms it required. If it needs more time, it must say why and then decide within 45 days.
How fast does a Texas insurer have to pay once it approves a claim?
Within 5 business days after it notifies you that it will pay.
Do the deadlines change after a big hailstorm?
Yes. Under section 542.059, after a weather related catastrophe or major natural disaster as defined by the Commissioner of Insurance, the claim handling deadlines are extended by 15 additional days.
Can my roofer handle the insurance claim for me?
A roofer can document damage and give you a written estimate, but cannot waive your deductible, and Texas limits contractors acting as adjusters. You file the claim with your insurer, and TDI can help at 800-252-3439.
Explain the claim. Win the job.
Book a free strategy call. We will plan honest storm content, video and a landing page for your roofing company.
Book a free callOr email charles@pictureperfectvideo.com · call or text 945-212-2522
Related reading
Sources checked October 21, 2026: Texas Insurance Code chapter 542, Subchapter B: Prompt Payment of Claims (sections 542.051 to 542.061); Texas Insurance Code chapter 542A; TDI: insurance companies must meet deadlines to respond to Texas claims; TDI: steps to getting your home or car insurance claim paid; TDI: hail damage to your home or car, what to do next; TDI: home insurance guide. Laws and procedures can change, so confirm with the statute, your policy and TDI. This is general information, not legal advice.