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— Insurance Claims Process · WI & IA
The claim process, demystified.
A roof or storm insurance claim sounds intimidating, but it's a predictable set of steps. Here's exactly how it works, who does what, and where we take the weight off you. You pay your deductible, we handle the rest.
Free claim help
WI & IA · We respond in 2 hours
Start the claim the right way.
Most claims succeed or fail on the first two steps, inspection and documentation. Start there, free, and we'll set the claim up properly and carry it through with your carrier. We respond within 2 hours, 24/7 for emergencies.
— The Process, Step By Step
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Six stages, and who does each one.
The whole point is that you're not doing this alone. Here's every stage of a roof or storm claim, with exactly what's on us and what's on you.
Free damage inspection
It starts with knowing what you're actually dealing with. We inspect the roof, siding, and gutters and tell you honestly whether there's damage worth a claim, no pressure
Documentation
This is where claims are won. We photograph and document the full scope of the damage in the format your adjuster expects, so nothing legitimate gets left out. We handleP
File the claim
You contact your insurer to open the claim, it's your policy, so this step is yours, but we tell you exactly what to say and provide so it starts clean. We handleGuide yo
The adjuster visit
Your insurer sends an adjuster to assess the damage. We meet them on-site and walk the damage together, so what they scope matches what's actually there. We handleMeet th
Approval & scope
The carrier issues its decision and a scope of covered work. We review it against our inspection to confirm it reflects the real damage, and flag anything missing. We han
Repair & completion
Once it's approved, our own crews complete the work to the agreed scope, and we handle the final paperwork so the job closes cleanly. We handleThe full repair with our ow
— Claim Terms, In Plain English
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The words on your claim, decoded.
— You Vs. Us
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— What To Expect
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How long does a claim take?
Every claim is different, and timelines depend on your carrier and the damage. But here's the honest shape of it, and where we keep things moving.
Inspection & documentation: usually days
We respond to inspection requests within 2 hours and can typically inspect and document quickly, often within a few days, sooner if it's an emergency that needs tarping f
Adjuster & approval: carrier-dependent
This stage is in your insurer's hands, scheduling the adjuster and issuing a decision can take anywhere from days to a few weeks. We keep it moving by meeting the adjuste
Repair: scheduled once approved
After approval, we schedule the repair with our own crews and complete it to the agreed scope, then handle the closing paperwork, including any recoverable depreciation.
— What Homeowners Say
Reviews
— Home Base
Madison, WI · Centerville, IA
— Insurance Claim FAQ
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On a covered claim, your deductible is typically your only out-of-pocket cost, you pay your deductible, and we handle the rest with the carrier. Your exact deductible is set by your policy. Coverage is always determined by your insurer.
Usually, yes. A free inspection tells you whether there’s damage worth a claim and gets it documented properly first, so you’re not filing blind or opening a claim that gets denied. We give you an honest read either way. See stage 1 →
Yes, we work with any insurance carrier. We’ve handled claims across major carriers and programs for 47 years, and we meet your adjuster on-site so the scope reflects the real damage.
The adjuster is sent by your insurer to assess the damage and determine what’s covered and the scope of work. We meet them on-site and present our documentation so legitimate damage isn’t missed or underscoped. See stage 4 →
It happens, sometimes damage is missed or underscoped. We can re-inspect, document thoroughly, and provide our findings to support a reinspection or supplement with your carrier. Note we are a contractor, not a public adjuster (see below).
No. We are a licensed contractor, not a public adjuster, and in Iowa we do not offer public adjusting services (Iowa Code §522C). We document damage, complete the repairs, and work alongside your carrier and adjuster as your contractor.
— Related
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Storm & insurance resources.
Free Inspection · Any Carrier
Let's start the claim the right way.
Request a free inspection and we'll confirm the damage, document it for your claim, meet your adjuster, and complete the repair with our own crews. You pay your deductible, we handle the rest. Family-owned since 1979, any insurance carrier.
This page explains the general insurance claim process for educational purposes and is not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Insurance coverage, claim approval, scope, depreciation, and out-of-pocket cost depend on your policy, deductible, and the documented cause and extent of damage; coverage is determined by your insurer, not by Buckshot, and outcomes vary by claim. Buckshot is a licensed contractor and is not a public adjuster; we do not adjust claims or negotiate settlements on your behalf, and we are not Iowa public adjusters nor do we offer public adjusting services (Iowa Code §522C). We document damage and complete repairs, working alongside your insurer and adjuster. WI Lic. DC-080900045 · IL Lic. 104017198 · Family-Owned Since 1979.