Dothan Roof & Hail Damage Claim Lawyers

Dothan Law Group represents homeowners in Dothan, Houston County, and across the Wiregrass whose roof, hail, wind, and storm damage claims were denied or underpaid by their insurance company. Our firm has filed nearly 200 of these lawsuits in Houston County, and the cases are now in active litigation. Gantt Pierce, Niki Pierce, and Jason Kingry represent homeowners in this work, and we are still accepting new cases.

Homeowners buy insurance so a storm does not turn into a financial disaster. When the company that took your premiums refuses to pay for real storm damage, you may have more options than the denial letter suggests.

Why are roof and hail claims denied?

Insurers give many reasons for denying or cutting roof claims. The most common ones we see are:

• “Wear and tear” or “age.” The adjuster blames the damage on an old roof instead of the storm.
• “Cosmetic damage only.” The insurer admits hail hit the roof but says the damage does not need repair.
• “Below the deductible.” The estimate is written so low that nothing is owed.
• “Prior damage” or “manufacturing defect.” The insurer says the damage happened before the policy or the storm.
• “Late notice.” The insurer says you waited too long to report the claim.
• Repair instead of replace. The insurer pays to patch a few shingles when the whole roof needs replacing.

Some of these reasons are legitimate in some cases. Many are not. The answer depends on the evidence about your roof, the storm, and what the adjuster actually did.

What are my options after a denied roof claim?

You generally have more than one path, and they can be used together.

Breach of contract

Your homeowners policy is a contract. If the policy covers storm damage and the insurer refused to pay what it owes, you may be able to sue for breach of contract. The damages are usually the amount the insurer should have paid under the policy.

Insurance bad faith

Alabama law recognizes a separate claim when an insurer acts in bad faith. In general, that means the insurer either:

• refused to pay without any reasonably legitimate or arguable reason, or
• intentionally failed to properly investigate the claim to find out whether there was a legitimate reason to deny it.

A bad faith claim can allow damages beyond the repair cost, such as mental anguish and, in some cases, punitive damages. Bad faith claims are hard to prove and depend heavily on the claim file, so they need careful review.

Claims against the agent

In some cases, the insurance agent who sold the policy or handled the claim may share responsibility, for example if the agent misrepresented the coverage. In the State Farm hail lawsuits our firm filed in Houston County, some agents were named as defendants along with the company.

Alabama-specific: Many homeowners policies include an “appraisal” clause, notice rules, and their own time limits for filing suit. These can affect your options, so read the whole policy, not just the denial letter, and get advice before you sign anything or demand appraisal.

How long do I have to sue my insurance company in Alabama?

It depends on the claim. In Alabama, a bad faith claim generally must be filed within two years. A breach of contract claim generally has a longer deadline. Your policy may also have its own suit limits and notice rules. Because different deadlines can apply to the same claim, have them checked as soon as the claim is denied.

What evidence helps a denied roof claim?

• The denial letter and every letter or email from the insurer
• The adjuster’s estimate and any photos the adjuster took
• Your full insurance policy, including the declarations page
• Photos and video of the roof, gutters, siding, vents, and interior leaks, with dates
• Before photos of the roof, if you have them, such as from a sale or inspection
• Storm reports for your address and date of loss
• An independent roofer’s or engineer’s inspection and estimate
• Receipts for tarps, emergency repairs, and interior damage
• Notes of every phone call with the insurer: date, name, and what was said

What should I do after my roof claim is denied?

1. Get the denial in writing. Ask the insurer for the written reason and the adjuster’s estimate.
2. Get your full policy. Request a certified copy if you do not have one.
3. Protect your home. Tarp the roof and keep receipts for any emergency repairs.
4. Document the damage. Take dated photos and video before any repair or replacement.
5. Get an independent inspection. A roofer or engineer who does not work for the insurer can give a second opinion.
6. Be careful what you sign. Talk to a lawyer before signing a release, accepting a final payment, or demanding appraisal.
7. Watch the deadlines. Your policy and Alabama law both set time limits.

The State Farm hail cases in Houston County

Since 2025, our firm has filed suits for Houston County homeowners whose hail and wind claims were denied or underpaid by State Farm. In April 2026, 54 more homeowners filed suit in Houston County Circuit Court. In August 2026, a federal judge sent a group of more than 50 homeowners’ cases back to state court in Houston County. The cases remain in active litigation, and we are still accepting new cases.

Talk to a Dothan roof claim lawyer

If your roof, hail, wind, or storm damage claim was denied or underpaid in Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark, Headland, Daleville, or anywhere in the Wiregrass, call Dothan Law Group at (334) 793-4354 or send us a message. The first consultation is free. Bring your denial letter, your policy, and your photos, and we will look at what happened.