A storm hits. Your roof takes damage. You file a claim and wait. What many homeowners don’t know is that Texas law sets clear deadlines for how fast your insurer must respond. Knowing those deadlines can help you stay on top of the process and avoid unnecessary delays.
This blog walks through the Texas roof insurance claim deadline framework, what HB 1774 changed, and what steps you can take if things don’t move the way they should.
What Is HB 1774 and Why Does It Matter?
In 2017, Texas passed HB 1774, which is now part of the Texas Insurance Code under Chapter 542A. The law was created in response to a growing number of weather-related insurance lawsuits, many of which were being filed over inflated or exaggerated claims. The goal was simple: protect homeowners with real losses while reducing cases that weren’t justified.
If you’ve ever filed a claim after a hailstorm or wind event, this law likely applies to your situation. The HB 1774 roof claim rules cover first-party claims, meaning claims you file directly with your own insurance company for property damage caused by natural forces like hail, wind, or rain.
What the law actually does is set up a process you’re required to follow before you can take an insurer to court. It doesn’t take away your right to dispute a claim. It just asks you to go through specific steps first.
How the Texas Prompt Payment Timeline Works
Texas had homeowner protections in place even before HB 1774. Chapter 542 of the Texas Insurance Code, known as the Prompt Payment of Claims Act, sets deadlines that every property insurer in the state must follow.
Here’s the basic roof insurance claim timeline in Texas:
- Your insurer must acknowledge your claim within 15 days of receiving it. They also need to let you know if they need any additional documents.
- Once they have everything they asked for, they have 15 days to accept or deny your claim.
- If your claim is approved, payment must be sent within 5 business days.
Each deadline starts the moment your insurer receives your claim or any documents they requested. So the faster you respond to their requests, the faster the clock moves. It also keeps a record of when you sent things and what was included, in case there’s ever a question about timing.
If an insurer misses these deadlines, Texas law allows for interest penalties on top of your claim amount. That’s the Prompt Payment Act working in your favor.
The Required Notice Before Filing a Lawsuit
This is the piece that HB 1774 added. Under the Texas roof claim notice requirement, if you ever reach the point where you want to take your insurer to court over a wind or hail claim, you must first send them a written notice. And you can’t file suit until at least 61 days after that notice is sent.
That 61-day window gives your insurer a chance to review the situation, respond, or make things right before a lawsuit becomes necessary. Many disputes actually get resolved during this period without ever going further.
For your notice to be valid, it needs to include:
- A description of what you believe the insurer did wrong
- The specific dollar amount you think you’re owed
- A reasonable estimate of attorney fees
- If an attorney is sending it on your behalf, a note confirming a copy was sent to you
The amount you list needs to be specific and tied to your actual dispute. Courts have found that simply attaching a contractor’s estimate isn’t always enough.
What to Document From the Start
Good records make the entire process easier, whether your claim goes smoothly or hits a roadblock. Start gathering the following as soon as damage occurs:
- Dated photos of all property damage, including every part of your roof and any interior water staining
- A written estimate or report from a licensed roofer
- Your insurance policy and a clear understanding of what your insurance coverage includes
- A written log of every call, email, and letter exchanged with your insurer, including dates and names.
Details fade quickly after a storm. A solid paper trail helps you stay organized and gives you something to reference if questions come up later.
Our team at WABO Roofing Systems documents roof damage thoroughly so nothing gets overlooked. Check out our roof repair services or visit our Houston service page to learn more.
What to Do When a Claim Is Delayed or Underpaid
A slow response or a lower-than-expected payout doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Start by sending your insurer a written message asking for a clear explanation. A written request creates a record and often moves things along faster than a phone call.
If you think the Texas insurance claim deadline timeline wasn’t followed, pull together your records showing when you submitted documents and when the insurer replied. That timeline can support your case.
If your insurer still isn’t responding fairly, you can reach out to the Texas Department of Insurance. The TDI handles complaints and can look into how your claim was managed.
Get Roof Help You Can Trust
Knowing your rights is the first step. Acting quickly is the second. WABO Roofing Systems helps Houston homeowners assess damage honestly and document everything properly so your claim starts on solid ground.
