After the Storm: Finding Damage You Can't See From the Ground

What hail and wind do to a roof

Hail damage appears as dark spots, bruises, or divots where protective granules have been knocked off the shingle surface. Those granules are your roof's UV and weather protection. Without them, the shingle deteriorates rapidly.

Wind damage shows as lifted, curled, or completely missing shingles, especially along ridges and edges where wind load is highest. Both types of damage are difficult or impossible to see from the ground. A professional inspector walking the roof identifies damage patterns that photos from the driveway will miss.

Many roofing contractors offer free storm damage inspections and will provide a detailed report you can submit with your claim.

Everything else the storm hit

Hail dents aluminum and vinyl siding, leaving impact marks along the exposed face. Gutters and downspouts show dents on their upper surfaces. Window screens get torn or pocked.

Outdoor HVAC condenser units can sustain fin damage that reduces efficiency. Fence boards crack or snap from wind. Deck railings and outdoor furniture get battered.

Walk the entire perimeter of your home and check every exterior surface. Photograph damage from close range. Use a coin or ruler next to dents for scale.

This documentation proves the size of the hail that hit your property.

Interior clues that point to roof damage

Water stains on ceilings or walls after a storm mean the roof is leaking. Check your attic for daylight coming through the roof deck, wet insulationFiberglass, Blown-In, or Spray Foam: What R-Value Means for Your ClaimInsulation is rated by R-value: resistance to heat transfer. Higher R-values mean better insulation. When your repair opens wall or attic cavities,...
Read more →, and water trails on rafters. Look for new cracks around windows and doors that could indicate structural shifting from extreme wind.

Even a small roof leak that produces a minor ceiling stain can mean significant damage above it. Water travels along rafters and roof sheathing before dripping, so the entry point may be several feet from where the stain appears.

Wind and hail deductibles: read the fine print

Here's where it gets expensive. Many policies have a separate deductibleYour Deductible Might Be Bigger Than You ThinkYour deductible is what you pay before insurance kicks in. It might be a flat $1,000-$5,000. Or it might be a percentage of your dwelling coverage,...
Read more → for wind or hail damage that's different from your standard deductible. In coastal areas, this is often a percentage of your dwelling coverage, not a flat dollar amount.

A 2% wind deductible on a $400,000 home means $8,000 out of pocket before coverage kicks in. A 5% deductible means $20,000. Check your declarations pageYour Declarations Page: The One Document That Controls Your ClaimYour declarations page is a one or two page summary of your entire insurance policy. Dwelling coverage, personal property limits, ALE availability,...
Read more → for your wind/hail deductible before you file.

This number dramatically affects whether filing a claim makes financial sense for smaller amounts of damage.

File promptly and file right

Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as you've documented it. Provide photos and any professional inspection reports. If your area was declared a disaster zone, note that because it may affect coverage provisions and deadlines.

Many policies have reporting deadlines for storm damage, sometimes as short as one year from the date of the storm. Waiting too long can give your insurer grounds to deny the claim. If multiple homes in your neighborhood were hit, consider whether a public adjusterPublic Adjusters: When Hiring One Pays for ItselfA public adjuster is a licensed professional who represents you, the homeowner, in your insurance claim. They understand Xactimate, building codes,...
Read more → could help negotiate your settlement, especially for large roof replacements.