Most Austin-area property claims fall into three groups: hail damage to roofs in newer subdivisions, water damage from frozen or burst pipes, and losses on higher-value homes where the carrier's estimate prices custom work at builder-grade rates. We inspect the property, write a detailed Xactimate estimate that reflects what was actually built, and negotiate the difference with the insurer.
We're based in Belton, about an hour up I-35, and travel throughout Travis, Williamson and Hays counties to inspect property.
Hail in the subdivisions
Round Rock, Pflugerville, Leander, Georgetown, Hutto, Kyle and Buda have grown fast, and much of that growth is subdivisions where hundreds of homes were roofed in the same few years with similar shingles. When a hailstorm crosses one of those neighborhoods, the damage is often similar from house to house. The claims outcomes are not.
It's common to hear that a neighbor got a full roof and you got a repair estimate, or nothing. Different adjusters, different carriers and different inspection quality explain most of that. What should decide your claim is the evidence on your roof: hail impacts per test square on each slope, damaged ridge caps and vents, and dents on gutters and AC fins. Our guide to how insurance companies evaluate hail damage walks through what the adjuster is counting.
HOA rules and what the policy actually pays
Many Austin-area HOAs restrict roof color, material or style, and some require impact-resistant shingles. Homeowners often assume the insurer has to pay for whatever the HOA requires. That's not how it works.
What your HOA can require of you
- A specific shingle line, color or profile
- Consistent appearance across the whole roof
- Approval before work begins
What the insurer owes under the policy
- Repair or replacement with materials of like kind and quality
- Matching only as the policy wording and facts support (Texas has no matching statute)
- Code-required upgrades only if you have ordinance or law coverage
The HOA rule still matters as evidence. If the original shingle is discontinued and the HOA won't approve a mismatched repair, that supports the argument that a spot repair can't restore the roof to like kind and quality. Read matching rules for roof replacement in Texas for how that argument is made.
Freeze and burst-pipe claims
Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 burst pipes across Austin, especially in attics, exterior walls and second-floor bathrooms and laundry rooms. Hard freezes since have done the same on a smaller scale. These are water claims, not weather claims, and they're won or lost on documentation:
- Photograph the break itself before the plumber replaces the pipe, and keep the failed section
- Get the plumber's invoice to state the cause and location of the break
- Have the mitigation company take moisture readings in every affected room, including below and beside the visible damage
- Keep the drying logs; they show how far water traveled inside walls and under flooring
Watch for two common reductions. Some policies limit mold coverage, so drying needs to start quickly. And carriers sometimes argue a pipe leaked slowly over time rather than bursting; a freeze date and a plumber's statement help answer that. See water damage claims for how we handle these.
Higher-value homes
Westlake, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs and central Austin have many homes with custom construction: stone and stucco, standing-seam or designer roofing, custom cabinetry, hardwood and tile installed in patterns, and large window systems. Carrier estimates often default to standard materials and standard labor. On these homes we:
- Document the actual materials with close-up photos, product labels and Matterport 3D scans
- Get specialty pricing for items Xactimate doesn't price well, and support it with vendor quotes
- Check that the dwelling and other-structures limits, and any extended replacement cost, are applied correctly
The settlement calculator shows how depreciation, the deductible and the fee affect the final payment on a larger claim.
Free toolClaim settlement calculatorSee what your claim should pay after depreciation and your deductible, and what you net with or without a public adjuster.What to do after hail or a freeze in the Austin area
In the first few days
- Stop the water: shut off the main for a burst pipe, or tarp a damaged roof.
- Photograph everything before mitigation or cleanup starts.
- Report the claim and write down the claim number and adjuster's name.
Before the adjuster's inspection
- Read your declarations page for the deductible (often a percentage for wind and hail) and any ACV roof endorsement.
- Gather your HOA's architectural rules if they affect the roof.
- Write a list of every damaged room and item so nothing is missed on the walk-through.
After the estimate arrives
- Compare it room by room against the damage. Look for missing items such as interior paint, insulation, baseboards and contents.
- If it's short, request a re-inspection in writing and submit your own estimate.
Our fee is a percentage of the claim payment, capped at 10% under Texas law, with no upfront charge. Learn about our roof and hail damage claims work.
Communities covered from this page
Don't see your town? We serve every Texas county. Ask us about your property.
Frequently asked questions
My HOA requires a specific shingle. Does my insurer have to pay for it?
Not automatically. The insurer owes what the policy says, usually like kind and quality. The HOA rule can support a full-slope or full-roof replacement when a matching repair is impossible, but it does not by itself create coverage.
My neighbor got a new roof from the same storm and I was denied. Why?
Different adjusters, carriers and inspections often reach different results. Your claim should turn on the evidence on your roof. If your roof shows similar damage, request a re-inspection with documentation, or have a public adjuster review it.
Are burst pipes from a freeze covered in Texas?
Sudden and accidental water from a frozen pipe is covered on most homeowners policies, subject to the policy's conditions. Some policies exclude freeze damage if the home was vacant or unheated, so check those terms.
Do you come to Round Rock, Georgetown and Kyle?
Yes. We travel from our Belton office throughout Travis, Williamson and Hays counties to inspect property in person.
