Hill country hailstorms can come on fast and leave behind severe damage, especially to slate and tile roofs. If you have a specialty roof that sustains hail damage, it is paramount to get an accurate damage estimate that accounts for the additional costs to restore it. 

For residents and property owners in historic San Antonio neighborhoods or the historic districts downtown, roof repairs or replacements will likely require adherence to additional local guidelines. 

Hiring a Public Adjuster can help ensure that you receive a fair insurance claim settlement, according to your policy, to cover necessary repairs. 

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Slate & Tile Roofs in San Antonio

Many homeowners in San Antonio have embraced the historic Spanish Revival-inspired tile roofs that spread throughout the Southwest. Red terracotta tile roofs made from natural clay are particularly popular. Slate roofs are also common in San Antonio’s historic districts. 

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Repairing or Replacing Your Specialty Roof After a Hailstorm

While you should always act quickly to repair roof damage, specialty roofs require extra care and attention to detail following hail damage. Here are a few factors that make repairing or replacing specialty roofs more complicated than standard shingles: 

• Material costs — Replacement roofing materials should maintain the texture, pattern and aesthetic of the original materials. Slate and tile roofs can often be difficult or expensive to match.
• Skilled specialty contractors  — Contractors experienced with clay tile and slate roofs often charge more for the specialty styles and installation techniques required.
• Following San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) guidelines

Consider this excerpt from OHP’s “Guidelines for Exterior Maintenance and Alterations”: 

“Replace roofing materials in-kind whenever possible when the roof must be replaced.  Retain and re-use historic materials when large-scale replacement of roof materials other than asphalt shingles is required (e.g., slate or clay tiles) ... Match new roofing materials to the original materials in terms of their scale, color, texture, profile, and style, or select materials consistent with the building style, when in-kind replacement is not possible.”

Depending on the style and material used, the cost of a new clay tile or slate roof can be upwards of $50,000. 

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Correctly Estimating Specialty Roof Costs

With so many specialized requirements in play, getting an accurate damage estimate is key to receiving the settlement offer you are owed under your insurance policy terms and making the appropriate repairs. 

Unfortunately, insurance carriers routinely underestimate the real-world restoration costs of historic clay tiles and Spanish slate. For example, they may use sample pricing from homes that are not within a historic neighborhood, or budget for replacement materials based on a) old data that does not reflect current costs of materials and/or labor, or b) replacement materials that are not comparable to the old roof material.

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Time to Bring in the Experts

In these instances, hiring a Public Adjuster to help navigate your roof claim can maximize your insurance settlement by accounting for specialized repair costs. Your Public Adjuster will conduct an independent damage inspection, documenting all damage, and carefully review your insurance policy, explaining complicated terms and clauses in language that’s easy to understand. They will then act as your personal consumer advocate, negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf to reach a fair settlement.

Don’t accept less than you’re owed for your hail claim. Get the settlement you are entitled to under your policy and preserve your slate or tile roof with expert guidance from Tiger Adjusters.