What goes in a roof inspection report for an insurance claim?
Short answer. A strong claim report shows the damage slope by slope: overview and close-up photos, test square hit counts, measurements and pitch, the number of layers, damaged components like vents and flashing, and collateral damage to gutters, siding and screens. It ties the damage to a specific storm date and is organized so an adjuster can match each photo to a line item in the estimate.
Sections a good report includes
- Property and claim details: address, claim number, date of loss and storm type.
- Roof summary: material, layers, age, square count, pitch, and a diagram with slopes labeled.
- Slope by slope findings: the test square count or wind damage on each slope, with photos.
- Components: drip edge, starter, ridge cap, valleys, step and counter flashing, pipe boots, vents, skylights and satellite mounts.
- Collateral damage: gutters, downspouts, screens, siding, fence, AC fins and painted surfaces.
- Interior: stains or leaks, with locations and photos.
- Repairability notes: brittleness, discontinued shingles and code requirements.
Photo standards that hold up
- A wide shot that shows where on the roof each close-up was taken.
- A close-up with the hit circled and a scale reference, like a coin or tape measure.
- Every photo labeled by slope and item.
- Original dates preserved in the file.
What hurts credibility
- Photos that cannot be tied to a slope or to your house.
- Damage claimed on slopes that faced away from the storm, with no explanation.
- Blisters or scuffs counted as hail.
- Measurements that differ from an aerial report with no explanation.
Build the report to mirror how the insurer's estimate is laid out; see Xactimate roof estimates. Tie it to the right date of loss, and use proper test squares for hail.