INSURANCE CLAIMS GUIDE
Most homeowners leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table after a hailstorm. Not Phase III clients. Here’s how we make sure your policy pays every dollar it owes — and what happens at every step of the way.
First — Take a Breath
A hailstorm hits fast and leaves behind damage that isn’t always visible from the ground — and that’s exactly what insurance companies count on. You know something is wrong, but the adjuster spends 20 minutes on your roof and hands you a check that barely covers materials. That’s not the full story. We’ve fought hail and storm damage claims across SE Michigan for years, and we know every tactic adjusters use to minimize payouts — from low hit counts to calling granule loss “cosmetic.” We’ve seen it all, and we know exactly how to counter it. The most important thing you can do right now is not figure this out yourself. That’s what we’re here for.
You do not have to figure this out alone. Phase III has done this hundreds of times.
The Claims Process — Step by Step
Document Before Anything
Photograph every damaged surface — roof, siding, gutters, windows, HVAC — before any cleanup or temporary repairs. This is your evidence and it needs to be captured before anything changes.
Phase III Does Here:
We deploy for a professional damage inspection within 24 hours, using EagleView aerial reports and ground-level documentation on every surface — so you never have to wonder if something was missed.
Open Your Claim
Call your insurer within 24-48 hours of the storm. Have your policy number ready and note the claim number you receive. How you describe the damage matters — we help you get this right from the first call.
Phase III Does Here:
We advise you on how to describe the damage accurately — overly vague or overly specific language can both work against you. We make sure the claim opens clean.
Adjuster Inspection
The insurer sends an adjuster. They may count hail hits, measure squares, and note damaged materials — or they may miss most of it. We’ve seen adjusters skip soft metals entirely and call granule loss cosmetic on nearly every hail claim we’ve handled.
Phase III Does Here:
We show up on-site for every adjuster inspection armed with our own hit counts, measurements, and EagleView data — so there’s no room to dispute what we documented together.
Review the Estimate
The first Xactimate estimate is rarely accurate on hail claims. Granule loss gets called cosmetic, soft metals are missed, and actual cash value is offered instead of replacement cost. This is the opening offer — not the final word.
Phase III Does Here:
We challenge every discrepancy line by line and submit a formal rebuttal with supporting documentation — so you never have to wonder if something was missed or underpaid.
Supplement Filing
We identify every missed item — satellite dishes, HVAC condensers, painted wood, gutters, downspouts, screens — and submit a comprehensive supplement. On hail and storm claims, supplements routinely add 30–60% to the initial estimate. The first check is never the final answer.
Phase III Does Here:
We file supplements aggressively and track every response until the full scope is covered. We won’t stop until your policy has paid every dollar it owes.
Material Selection and Rebuild
Once approved, we help you select materials — including Class 4 impact-resistant options that may qualify for insurance discounts going forward. We make the rebuild process as simple as possible.
Phase III Does Here:
We manage all permits, inspections, and subcontractors through to final walkthrough — so your home is fully restored and your file is complete.
Where Claims Get Underpaid
Insurance adjusters are not your enemy — but they work for the insurance company, not for you. Here are the most common ways hail and storm damage claims are minimized, and exactly what Phase III does to counter each one.
Granule Loss Called Cosmetic
What they do: Adjusters routinely dismiss granule loss as cosmetic damage that doesn’t warrant roof replacement. We’ve seen this on nearly every hail claim we handle. It’s incorrect — granule loss exposes the mat and dramatically shortens roof life.
How Phase III responds: We document granule loss per square and cite industry standards establishing it as functional damage — not cosmetic.
ACV Instead of RCV
What they do: Actual Cash Value deducts depreciation from your payout. On a 15-year-old roof, you might receive 40% of replacement cost. Adjusters push ACV whenever possible.
How Phase III responds: We verify your policy includes RCV and ensure the insurer pays accordingly — the full replacement cost, not the depreciated amount.
Soft Metals Missed
What they do: Gutters, downspouts, flashing, vents, HVAC fins, and painted fascia boards are all subject to hail damage but frequently omitted from estimates. We’ve seen this on nearly every claim.
How Phase III responds: We inspect every soft metal surface on the property and document every impact — so nothing gets left off the estimate.
Low Hit Counts
What they do: Adjusters may count fewer hail hits per test square than actually exist, allowing them to claim the damage threshold wasn’t met.
How Phase III responds: We conduct independent hit counts with full documentation and challenge any count that doesn’t match our findings — in writing.
Your Rights as a Michigan Policyholder
Right to a Re-Inspection
If you disagree with the adjuster assessment, you can request a re-inspection with a different adjuster — and you should.
Right to RCV
If your policy includes replacement cost value, you are entitled to full replacement cost — regardless of the roof age.
Right to Dispute
You can formally dispute any line item in the estimate in writing. The first offer is not the final word.
Right to an Appraisal
Most policies include an appraisal clause allowing both parties to bring independent appraisers to resolve disputes.
Right to Your Own Contractor
You are never required to use an insurer-preferred contractor. Choose who you trust.
Know your rights — and know that Phase III will make sure they are respected.
The Phase III Difference
Most contractors hand you a repair bill. We hand you a maximized insurance settlement.
| Stage | Without Phase III | With Phase III |
|---|---|---|
| Hail hit counting | Adjuster counts — you have no way to verify | We bring independent counts with documentation to every inspection |
| Granule loss | Called cosmetic, denied | We document functional damage with industry citations and push back formally |
| Soft metals | Often missed entirely | We inspect every surface on the property — nothing gets left off the estimate |
| ACV vs RCV | You accept ACV without knowing your policy says RCV | We verify your coverage and demand what your policy actually owes |
| Supplement filing | Never happens — you take the first check | We file comprehensive supplements on every claim — the first check is never the final answer |
What Phase III Does on Every Claim
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my roof has hail damage?
Signs include granule loss in gutters, dents on soft metals like gutters and AC units, cracked or missing shingles, and circular bruising on shingles. But honestly — a lot of hail damage is only visible from the roof with a trained eye. Call us and we’ll inspect for free. You’ll know exactly what you’re dealing with before you ever open a claim.
Does my policy have a separate hail deductible?
Many Michigan policies have a separate wind and hail deductible — often 1-2% of your home’s insured value. On a $300k home, that’s $3,000-$6,000 out of pocket before coverage kicks in. We help you understand your deductible situation before you file so there are no surprises. If this happens to you, call us — we’ll tell you exactly where you stand.
What if the adjuster says my damage is cosmetic?
Cosmetic damage exclusions have specific definitions in Michigan policies — and they’re frequently applied incorrectly. Granule loss and functional damage are NOT cosmetic. We challenge these determinations in writing with industry documentation. If this happens to you, call us — we’ll tell you exactly where you stand.
How long do I have to file a hail claim?
Most policies require filing within 1-2 years of the date of loss. But don’t wait — delays hurt your claim. Evidence degrades, damage compounds, and insurers get more skeptical the longer you wait. If you’re unsure whether you have a claim worth filing, call us. The inspection is free.
Will my rates go up if I file a hail claim?
Weather-related claims are typically non-chargeable in Michigan, meaning they generally should not increase your premium. But every policy and insurer is different — check with your agent before filing. We can help you think through the math if you’re on the fence.
How much does Phase III charge?
Our fee comes from the insurance settlement — not out of your pocket. You pay your deductible; we fight for the rest. If we don’t recover more than you would have gotten on your own, we don’t get paid. That’s how aligned our interests are with yours.
Phase III Construction handles everything — documentation, supplements, negotiations, and rebuild. You focus on your family.
Serving Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties