After a hailstorm or a windy night, the knock on the door often comes before the adjuster does. A roofer offers to handle everything with your insurance company, and you sign. Then the insurer's letter arrives saying part of the damage, or all of it, is not a covered loss. Tennessee planned for that moment. Under Tenn. Code § 62-6-602, if you have received written notice from your insurer that all or any part of the claim or contract is not a covered loss, you can cancel the roofing contract by written notice before midnight on the third business day after you receive that notice.
| Rule | What Tennessee law says |
|---|---|
| Which contracts | Roof repair or replacement contracts the roofer represents will be paid, or likely paid, in whole or in part from a property and casualty insurance policy (§ 62-6-601) |
| Trigger | Written notice from your insurer that all or any part of the claim or contract is not a covered loss (§ 62-6-602) |
| Deadline | Before midnight on the third business day after you receive that notice (§ 62-6-602) |
| Payment | No payment can be required until the insurer confirms full coverage in writing or the three-day period expires (§ 62-6-604) |
| Refund | Payments and deposits returned within 10 business days of cancellation, except for written-acknowledged emergency repairs (§ 62-6-604) |
| Paperwork | Address, phone, license numbers, damage description, a bold 10-point cancellation statement, and a detachable duplicate cancellation form (§ 62-6-603) |
Source: Tenn. Code §§ 62-6-601 through 62-6-604 (Justia).
Which roofing contracts the law covers
Tennessee's residential roofing services law defines a contract as one between a person and a residential roofing services provider for goods or services related to the repair or replacement of a roof system, where the roofer represents the costs are to be paid, or are likely to be paid, in whole or in part from a property and casualty insurance policy. In plain terms, this is the “we'll work it through your insurance” contract.
Residential real estate means a building constructed for one to four families, and it includes the building's garage even if the garage is detached. A roof system covers more than shingles: the statute lists roof covering, roof sheathing, roof weatherproofing, roof framing, roof ventilation, and insulation.
What the roofer has to hand you before you sign
Tenn. Code § 62-6-603 says that before entering into a contract, the roofer must give you in writing:
- A business mailing address for cancellation, a telephone number, and an email address or fax number for cancellation if available.
- The license or registration number of any contractor, home improvement contractor, or public adjuster license or registration held in Tennessee or any other state.
- A detailed description of all damage or repairs to be claimed or covered by the contract, and where that damage is.
- A cancellation statement in boldface type of at least 10 points, and a duplicate form captioned “NOTICE OF CANCELLATION” attached so it detaches easily.
If a contract you are handed is missing these pieces, slow down before signing. If a roofer also offers to negotiate your claim, it is worth reading TDCI’s glossary says public insurance adjusters in Tennessee must be licensed by the state. first.
How to cancel the right way
- Note the date you received the insurer's letter. The three business days run from receipt of the written notice of no or partial coverage.
- Write a short notice. The law says it needs no particular language as long as it is signed, dated, and shows you do not intend to be bound by the contract. The detachable form in your contract works.
- Send it to the contact the roofer gave you. Use the business address, fax number, or email address provided under § 62-6-603.
- Keep proof. A mailed notice, postage prepaid and properly addressed, is effective on the postmark date. A fax or email is effective when you transmit it.
The bold statement in your contract will also tell you this right is in addition to any other cancellation rights in state or federal law.
Deposits, payments, and emergency tarps
Under Tenn. Code § 62-6-604, a roofer cannot require payment under the contract until you have received written notice from the insurer that the claim is fully covered or the three-day cancellation period has expired. If you cancel, the roofer must return payments, partial payments, or deposits within 10 business days.
There is one exception. If the roofer made emergency repairs that you acknowledged in writing were necessary to prevent damage to the home, the roofer can collect for those repairs when they are rendered. The statute also says no roofer may misrepresent that emergency repairs are necessary. Before you sign an emergency acknowledgment, look at the damage yourself or ask for photos.
What a partial denial means for the rest of your claim
A letter saying part of the roof is not covered is not always the last word. Read the reason, compare it with your policy, and ask the adjuster what documentation would change the result. If you think the claim was underpaid, see Storm Claim Underpaid in Tennessee? Your Next Steps. Keep in mind that each claim you file can follow you; TDCI’s CLUE explainer says Tennesseans can pull seven years of home and auto claims history for free. explains how to see your own history. For a refresher on what a standard policy does and does not do, see TDCI’s Homeowners Insurance 101 page links inventory, CLUE, and ACV tools., and for storm-season contractor cautions, see TDCI’s Winter Storm Fern tips tell Tennesseans how to file claims, check contractors, and run generators safely.
If you believe a roofer or an insurer did not follow Tennessee law, you can contact TDCI: How Tennesseans file an insurance complaint with TDCI’s Consumer Insurance Services.
This article is informational only and is not legal advice. It does not promise coverage, eligibility, or any claim result. Your policy forms and Tennessee law control.
Related reading from All Seasons
- Storm Claim Underpaid in Tennessee? Your Next Steps
- TDCI’s glossary says public insurance adjusters in Tennessee must be licensed by the state.
- TDCI’s CLUE explainer says Tennesseans can pull seven years of home and auto claims history for free.
- TDCI’s Homeowners Insurance 101 page links inventory, CLUE, and ACV tools.
- TDCI’s Winter Storm Fern tips tell Tennesseans how to file claims, check contractors, and run generators safely.
- How Tennesseans file an insurance complaint with TDCI’s Consumer Insurance Services.
Free policy review
All Seasons Insurance Group offers a free personal policy review. Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/. This article is informational only and does not promise coverage or eligibility; your policy forms control. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
How long do I have to cancel a roofing contract in Tennessee after my insurer denies the claim?
Tenn. Code 62-6-602 lets you cancel by written notice before midnight on the third business day after you receive the insurer's written notice that all or part of the claim is not covered.
Does a partial denial count?
Yes. The statute applies when the insurer gives written notice that all or any part of the claim or contract is not a covered loss.
What has to be in my cancellation notice?
No particular language is required. It must be signed and dated and show, in any written form, that you do not intend to be bound by the contract.
Where do I send the cancellation?
To the business address, fax number, or email address the roofer provided under Tenn. Code 62-6-603. A mailed notice is effective on the postmark date.
Can the roofer make me pay before the insurer decides?
Under Tenn. Code 62-6-604, the roofer cannot require payment until the insurer confirms full coverage in writing or the three-day cancellation period expires.
Do I get my deposit back if I cancel?
The roofer must return payments and deposits within 10 business days of cancellation, except amounts for emergency repairs you acknowledged in writing were necessary.
Does this law cover a detached garage roof?
Tennessee's definition of residential real estate includes the building's garage, even if the garage is detached.
How can All Seasons help after reading this?
Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/ for a free personal policy review. Informational only; no coverage promises. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
Source links
- Tenn. Code § 62-6-601 (Justia): Residential roofing services definitions
- Tenn. Code § 62-6-602 (Justia): Cancellation if claim is not a covered loss
- Tenn. Code § 62-6-603 (Justia): Required written statement from roofing provider
- Tenn. Code § 62-6-604 (Justia): Payments, deposits, and emergency repairs
- TDCI: File an Insurance Complaint
- Get a Quote — All Seasons Insurance Group
