Storm Damage? We’ll Help You Navigate Your Roof Insurance Claim

Safety First – Assess and Document the Damage

Do NOT climb on a damaged roof. Assess from the ground using binoculars or your smartphone camera.

What to look for:

• Hail damage: Circular dents on shingles, gutters, vents, or flashing
• Wind damage: Missing shingles, lifted edges, curled corners, or creased shingles
• Debris impact: Tree limbs, branches, or other objects that punctured the roof
• Water intrusion: Interior leaks, attic dampness, ceiling stains, or wall streaks

Document everything immediately:

• Take wide-angle photos showing all roof slopes
• Capture close-up shots of specific damage
• Photograph collateral damage (dented gutters, damaged siding, broken windows)
• Turn on your phone’s timestamp feature for dated evidence
• Start a damage log with dates, descriptions, and photo references

Prevent Further Damage (Required by Your Policy)

Your insurance policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. This is called damage mitigation.

Immediate actions:

• Place buckets under active leaks
• Cover exposed areas with tarps (keep receipts—these costs are often reimbursable)
• Remove standing water from interior spaces
• Move valuable items away from leak zones

Review Your Insurance Policy

Before calling your insurance company, locate your homeowner’s or commercial property policy and review:

• Coverage details: What types of roof damage are covered (wind, hail, fire, etc.)
• Deductible amount: The out-of-pocket amount you pay before insurance kicks in
• Coverage limits: Maximum payout for roof replacement
• Claim deadline: Time limit for reporting damage (usually 60-365 days)

Contact Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance company as soon as possible after discovering damage. Delays can complicate your claim.

What to have ready:

• Policy number
• Date and time of the storm
• Brief description of visible damage
• Contact information

What happens next:

• You’ll receive a claim number
• The insurer assigns an adjuster to your case
• The adjuster schedules an on-site inspection

Get a Professional Roofing Inspection

This is the most important step. Before the insurance adjuster arrives, have a licensed roofing contractor inspect your roof.

Why this matters:

• Insurance adjusters inspect dozens of roofs weekly—they may miss subtle but critical damage
• A professional roofer knows what to look for and how to document it properly
• Your roofer’s detailed report strengthens your claim

Meet with the Insurance Adjuster

The adjuster’s on-site inspection determines your settlement offer. Your roofing contractor should be present during this meeting.

Why having your roofer present is critical:

• They speak the same technical language as the adjuster
• They point out damage the adjuster might miss
• They ensure all repairs are documented in the initial report
• They prevent lowball estimates

What to do during the meeting:

• Provide your damage log and photos
• Walk the adjuster through all affected areas
• Ask about their timeline for issuing the estimate
• Request a copy of their inspection report

Review the Insurance Estimate (Scope of Loss)

After the inspection, you’ll receive an insurance estimate (also called a “Scope of Loss”). This document outlines your settlement.

Understanding the payment structure:

You receive the initial payment upfront. The depreciation holdback is paid after repairs are complete and you submit the final invoice.

Compare Estimates and File Supplements if Needed

It’s extremely common for the insurance estimate to be lower than your contractor’s quote.

Insurance adjusters often miss:

• Code-required upgrades (underlayment, flashing, ventilation)
• Permit costs
• Disposal fees
• Specialized materials or installation methods

Approve the Work and Begin Repairs

Once the settlement is finalized:

1. Sign a contract with your roofing contractor (itemized, with clear scope of work)
2. Verify materials and timeline before work begins
3. Confirm the contractor pulls all necessary permits (required in NYC, Nassau, and Suffolk)
4. Stay in communication throughout the project

Final Inspection and Depreciation Payment

After repairs are complete:

1. Conduct a final walkthrough with your contractor
2. Request a certificate of completion and warranty documentation
3. Submit the final invoice to your insurance company
4. Receive the depreciation holdback (usually within 30 days)

Your roof is now fully restored, and your claim is closed.

1. Late Reporting

Why it’s denied: You didn’t file within the policy’s time limit.

How to avoid it: Report damage immediately after discovery, even if you’re still assessing the full extent.

2. Insufficient Documentation

Why it’s denied: No proof the damage occurred during a covered event.

How to avoid it: Take timestamped photos immediately and keep a detailed damage log.

3. Pre-Existing Damage

Why it’s denied: The adjuster claims the damage existed before the storm.

How to avoid it: Provide “before” photos showing your roof’s prior condition.

4. Failure to Mitigate

Why it’s denied: You didn’t take reasonable steps to prevent further damage.

How to avoid it: Tarp exposed areas, stop active leaks, and keep receipts for materials.

5. Policy Exclusions

Why it’s denied: The damage type isn’t covered under your policy.

How to avoid it: Review your policy before filing and understand your coverage limits.