Before You Call: Document Everything First
The single biggest mistake Arkansas homeowners make after a storm is calling their insurance company before they have documented the damage. Once a claim is open, the adjuster's scope becomes the starting point — and if that scope is incomplete, recovering missing items is harder than getting them included upfront.
Before you open a claim, do the following. Walk the perimeter of your home and photograph your gutters, downspouts, AC condenser unit, window screens, and any painted wood surfaces. These secondary indicators tell an adjuster (and your contractor) how hard hail hit and what size it was. A dented AC unit and dinged gutters confirm the same hail event that damaged your roof. Screenshot or print the NOAA storm event database entry for your county and the date of the storm — this is objective third-party documentation that a weather event occurred. Pull out your homeowner's insurance policy and note your deductible, whether you have RCV or ACV coverage, and the claim filing deadline.
Five minutes of documentation now can add thousands to your settlement later.
Steps 1–4: From Phone Call to Adjuster Meeting
Step 1 — Open the claim. Call your insurance company's claims line and report the damage. Write down the claim number, the adjuster's name and contact info, and the expected timeline for the adjuster's visit. In Arkansas after a significant storm event, adjuster wait times can run 2–4 weeks due to high claim volume.
Step 2 — Call SMI before the adjuster arrives. This is the most important step most homeowners skip. SMI's insurance claims team will inspect your roof at no charge and document everything an adjuster should see: hail strikes per square, granule loss patterns, damaged flashing, compromised seals. We know what adjusters look for and what they miss. Arriving at the adjuster meeting with our independent documentation protects your claim.
Step 3 — Have your contractor present at the adjuster meeting. When your adjuster schedules their visit, ask if your contractor can be present. SMI meets adjusters on roofs across the River Valley every week. We walk the roof together, point out damage the adjuster might otherwise miss, and ensure nothing is left off the initial scope. Homeowners who have a knowledgeable contractor at the adjuster meeting consistently receive higher initial settlements than those who meet the adjuster alone.
Step 4 — Review the adjuster's initial scope carefully. Once the adjuster issues their estimate (typically within a few days of the visit), review it line by line with SMI. Look for missing items: drip edge is frequently omitted, ice and water shield at valleys and eaves is often missed, and code-required ventilation upgrades are commonly overlooked. Any missing item can be supplemented — but you need to catch it.
Steps 5–8: From Settlement to New Roof
Step 5 — Receive the settlement letter. Your insurance company will issue a settlement letter and a first check (often called the ACV payment — the replacement value minus depreciation holdback). Review this with SMI before depositing or endorsing anything. The settlement letter becomes the contract for the work scope, and any underpaid items should be addressed before work begins.
Step 6 — Supplement if needed. If the initial settlement is too low to cover the proper scope of work, SMI submits a supplement: a formal request for additional payment backed by photos, measurements, code citations, and current material pricing documentation. Most claims require some level of supplementing. Roofing costs in Arkansas have increased significantly in recent years, and adjuster estimates using outdated pricing often fall short of actual job costs.
Step 7 — Accept the settlement and schedule work. Once the scope and payment are right, sign off on the settlement and schedule your installation. SMI coordinates around your schedule and communicates any changes. Most residential replacements in Arkansas take 1–2 days.
Step 8 — Submit for recoverable depreciation. If your policy has RCV (replacement cost value) coverage, your insurance withheld a depreciation amount from your first check. After the job is complete, submit the final invoice to your insurance company along with a request for release of the depreciation holdback. This check can range from $2,000 to $8,000+ depending on your roof's age and the scope of work. SMI provides all documentation needed to file this final request. Many homeowners forget this step and leave thousands on the table.
Common Mistakes That Cost Arkansas Homeowners Money
Filing without an inspection first. Homeowners who open claims without contractor documentation hand the adjuster a blank canvas. A complete pre-claim inspection ensures the adjuster is working from a full picture, not a partial one.
Not having a contractor present at the adjuster meeting. Adjusters are professionals doing their jobs efficiently. They are not adversaries, but they also are not your advocate. Your contractor is. Having SMI on your roof during the adjuster visit is the single highest-leverage thing you can do to maximize your claim.
Accepting the first offer without reviewing it. Initial estimates are starting points. Most need supplementing for code items, price discrepancies, or missed line items. A quick review with SMI before you accept takes 15 minutes and routinely identifies $1,500 to $6,000 in additional recoverable amounts.
Missing the filing deadline. Arkansas homeowners insurance policies typically require claims to be filed within 1 to 2 years of the date of loss. If you suspect you had storm damage — even if you have not confirmed it — schedule a free inspection with SMI now. A 30-minute inspection protects your right to file if damage exists. Waiting until the deadline passes means you absorb 100% of the cost yourself.