What goes into a home insurance claim for wind damage?
Short answer. A wind damage claim is built from line items: the shingles to remove and replace, starter, ridge cap, underlayment, drip edge and flashing, and any gutters, siding or fence the wind damaged, plus labor factors like steep or high roofs. Small wind claims are often written as repairs with a minimum charge, while widespread damage or shingles that cannot be repaired or matched can turn into slope or full replacements.
Typical line items on a wind estimate
- Remove and replace shingles, by the square or by the piece for repairs.
- Starter course at eaves and rakes on replaced slopes.
- Ridge and hip cap.
- Underlayment, plus ice and water barrier where required.
- Drip edge and flashing that cannot be reused.
- Pipe boots and roof vents.
- Steep roof and high roof labor charges when they apply.
- Dumpster or haul off.
- Gutters, soffit, fascia, siding and fence items from the same storm.
Repairs vs replacement
For a handful of shingles, insurers often write a repair with a minimum charge, which covers a crew's trip for small jobs. If damage spans several slopes, or the shingles are brittle or discontinued, the estimate should reflect replacement of those slopes or the full roof.
What gets missed most often
- Starter and ridge on replaced slopes.
- Steep or two-story charges.
- Code items the local building department requires.
- Overhead and profit when a general contractor is needed to coordinate several trades.
- Damage on the slope the adjuster did not walk.
Reviewing your estimate
- Compare the squares on the estimate with a measurement report.
- Check each slope and accessory.
- Ask your roofer to submit a supplement with photos for anything missing.
More: how roof estimates are written, overhead and profit and supplements.