What is a cause of damage report for insurance?
Short answer. A cause of damage report, sometimes called a cause and origin report, is a written assessment of what caused the damage and when, prepared by an engineer, adjuster or qualified contractor. For roofs, it usually decides whether shingle damage came from hail or wind on a specific date or from age, wear, installation or foot traffic.
Who writes them
- Engineers hired by the insurer. Common on disputed or larger claims. See engineer inspections on roof claims.
- Your own engineer or forensic consultant. Hired when you dispute the insurer's conclusion.
- Roofing contractors. A detailed inspection report with photos can serve as your evidence, though carriers usually give licensed engineers more weight.
What a good roof report contains
- The date of loss, weather data and hail size records for the address. Free hail history by zip code is at northgeorgiahailmap.com.
- Photos of each slope, test squares and close-ups with a scale.
- Collateral evidence: dented vents, gutters and AC fins.
- Analysis of each condition: hail bruise or blister, wind crease or thermal cracking, scuff or impact.
- The author's credentials and methods, including whether they walked the roof.
If the insurer's report goes against you
- Ask for a copy of the report itself, not just the denial letter.
- Check whether the engineer walked the roof or relied on drone images, and how many slopes were examined.
- Answer it point by point with photos and storm data.
- Request a reinspection, or consider appraisal if the dispute is about the amount.