A website chatbot for roofers, built for storm season

Written by the Allinaa team · Updated October 15, 2026

The day after a hailstorm, every roofer in town gets more calls than the office can answer, and homeowners call down the list until someone picks up. An Allinaa assistant on your website answers the questions storm-hit homeowners ask, explains your inspection and claim-help process without promising anything about the insurer, and collects inspection requests in a form your team can schedule from.

The day after a hailstorm: volume your office can't answer

Storm traffic is predictable in content even when it's unpredictable in timing:

"Do you do free inspections? How soon can you come?"
"Do I need to call my insurance company first?"
"There's water coming through the ceiling. Can you tarp it today?"
"Are you local? Are you licensed and insured?"
"What happens if insurance denies the claim?"

Prepare a short "storm response" section in your knowledge before the season starts, and add it to the live knowledge when a storm hits: current wait time for inspections, whether you are doing emergency tarping, and how you prioritize active leaks. Remove it when things calm down. See seasonal peaks.

Inspection requests: address, roof age, visible damage

The assistant asks up to three short clarifying questions, one at a time, and only the ones still missing:

Property address or ZIP code (to confirm your service area)
Approximate roof age and material (asphalt shingle, metal, tile, flat)
What the homeowner can see: missing shingles, dents on gutters, leaks inside
Whether they have already filed a claim

Then it offers the inquiry form. The homeowner confirms their contact details and agrees to be contacted, your office gets an e-mail, and the request waits in your inquiry inbox with a status, private notes and CSV export for your scheduling. Allinaa does not connect to roofing CRMs or measurement tools. See quote requests.

Insurance claims: explaining your process without promising coverage

Homeowners want to hear "insurance will pay for a new roof." Only the insurer can say that. Write your process into the knowledge in neutral terms, for example:

We inspect the roof and document any damage with photos. If we find storm damage, you decide whether to file a claim with your insurance company. If you file, we can meet the adjuster at your home. Your insurance company decides what is covered under your policy.

Then configure the boundary: the assistant does not say a claim will be approved, does not estimate a payout, and does not advise on deductibles. Some states also have specific rules about contractors and insurance claims, so check your own state's rules before you publish claim-related wording. AI answers can be wrong, so test the claim questions yourself before launch.

Photos from homeowners (Premium) and when you still need a ladder

On Premium, homeowners can send photos of ceiling stains, shingles in the yard or dented gutters. Files are checked for malware and stored privately for your team. Photos help you prioritize (an active leak first) and prepare for the visit. They don't replace an inspection; most roof damage can't be judged from the ground or from a phone photo, and the assistant should say so. Also tell it not to encourage anyone to climb onto a roof to take pictures. See file uploads.

Materials, warranties and financing questions from your pages

Outside storm season, the questions are about choices: architectural vs. three-tab shingles, metal roofing, how long a replacement takes, manufacturer and workmanship warranties, and whether you offer financing. Answer each from your own pages. For warranties, quote the actual terms you offer, and for financing, describe the options you publish without promising approval.

Licensing and insurance details homeowners look for

After a storm, homeowners are wary of out-of-town crews. If your state licenses roofers, put your license number and how to verify it in the knowledge, along with your proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance and how long you have been at your local address. Only write what is true and current; the assistant will repeat it to every homeowner who asks.

Illustrative conversation

Homeowner: Hail last night. There's a brown spot on my bedroom ceiling. Will insurance cover a new roof?

Assistant: I'm sorry about the damage. Only your insurance company can decide what's covered. We can inspect the roof, document what we find, and meet your adjuster if you file a claim. Since you have a stain inside, is water actively dripping right now?

Homeowner: Not dripping, just the stain.

Assistant: Thanks. How old is the roof, roughly? Then I can send an inspection request, and you can add a photo of the stain.

Illustrative example, not a real conversation.

Other trades: see plumbing, HVAC and electrical.

Questions owners ask

Will the chatbot tell homeowners their claim will be approved?

No. It explains your inspection and claim-help process and states that the insurance company decides coverage.

Can it schedule inspections?

It collects inspection requests with address, roof age and visible damage. Your office schedules them.

Can it tell homeowners whether you are licensed and insured?

Yes, with the license and insurance details you write into its knowledge, exactly as you would state them. Keep them current when a policy renews.

How do I handle a sudden storm surge?

Add a short storm section to the knowledge with current wait times and tarping availability, and remove it when demand drops.