Insurance claims, translated into plain English.

The single most important rule

Never sign a contract with a roofer before the insurance decision. Some contractors will ask you to sign an “assignment of benefits” (AOB) or a contingent contract on day one. Don’t. In Texas, you have the legal right to control your claim and your contractor separately.

Watch out for storm chasers

After every major hail event, out-of-state contractors flood Central Texas. They knock doors, offer to “waive your deductible,” and disappear before warranty issues surface. That’s illegal — and you’re the one holding the bag.

Use a licensed, local, manufacturer-certified roofer. Every time. The nuance worth knowing: Texas issues no statewide roofing contractor license, but many municipalities in the San Antonio metro and across Central Texas require contractor registration or licensing at the city level, and that local standing is how permits get pulled. A contractor who cannot pull a permit in your city is telling you something. Alongside that, check for a permanent local address you can drive to, current general liability and workers' compensation certificates, manufacturer certifications you can verify directly with the manufacturer, and a track record you can look up. Here is the compliance detail, including the laws that do apply.