Roof Claim Answers

How does the insurance claim process work for hail damage on a roof?

Short answer. The roof portion of a hail claim turns on three things: finding functional hail hits on each slope, measuring the roof accurately, and turning both into a line item estimate. Your roofer inspects and photographs first, the adjuster confirms the damage with test squares, and the approved slopes become an estimate that sets your payment.

1. Finding the damage

A hail hit on an asphalt shingle is a dark spot where granules were knocked away, with a soft or cracked mat beneath. Inspectors circle hits in chalk so they show in photos, and check vents, flashing, ridge caps and pipe collars for dents that confirm the hail size.

2. Counting it

Many adjusters mark a 10 by 10 foot test square on each slope and count qualifying hits inside it. Many carriers approve a slope at somewhere around 8 to 10 hits, though the number varies and is not written in your policy. Slopes facing the storm usually take the most. See test squares.

3. Measuring the roof

The estimate depends on squares (100 square feet each), pitch, ridge and hip length, valleys, eaves and rakes. Adjusters use tape measurements, aerial reports or both. A wrong pitch or a missed slope can change thousands of dollars of labor and material.

4. Building the estimate

Approved slopes become line items: tear off, underlayment, shingles with waste, starter, drip edge, ridge cap, flashing, vents, pipe boots, and steep or high charges when they apply. Read it against your roof using our Xactimate guide.

5. Closing gaps

Missed slopes or items go back to the carrier as a documented supplement or reinspection request. Damage found at tear off, such as rotted decking, is added the same way.

6. Getting paid

The first check comes at actual cash value, the roof is replaced, then the final invoice releases the recoverable depreciation. See recoverable depreciation.

In depth

What do insurance adjusters look for on a damaged roof?How adjusters judge roof damage: functional vs cosmetic, hail bruises, dented soft metals, wind creases and thHow do you ask your insurance company to reinspect your roof?When a second roof inspection makes sense, how to request it in writing, what evidence to send, who should attWhy did my insurance company send an engineer to inspect my roof?Why insurers hire engineers on roof claims, what the reports address (cause, timing, functional damage, wear)

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