Roof Claim Answers

What wind speed is needed for an insurance claim?

Short answer. There is no minimum wind speed in a standard homeowners policy. What matters is whether wind physically damaged your home. Reported gusts help prove that a strong enough wind reached your address on a specific date, and adjusters may question claims where reported winds were light and the shingles look aged or poorly installed.

Why speed still comes up

Adjusters check weather data for the date you report. The National Weather Service issues severe thunderstorm warnings for gusts of 58 mph or more, and downbursts and tornadoes can be far stronger. If the nearest reports show light breezes and shingles are missing, the adjuster will look hard at nailing and age.

Shingle wind ratings

These are lab ratings that assume proper installation and tie to manufacturer warranties. Shingles can fail below their rating if they never sealed, were nailed high or have aged. Your insurance covers wind damage whether or not the wind exceeded the rating.

Where to find wind data

Making the claim without a big number

Local gusts can be stronger than anything a station recorded miles away. Fresh crease lines, broken seals, blown-off shingles in the yard and damage clustered on the windward side can carry a claim even without a dramatic reading. See wind damage roof claims and date of loss.

In depth

How do I choose the date of loss for a roof claim, and what if two storms hit close together?How to pick and verify the date of loss for a roof claim with weather records, what to do when two storms hit What counts as wind damage on a shingle roof, and how do I document it for a claim?How wind damages shingles: creases, broken seals, lifted and missing tabs, ridge caps, what wind speeds in repWhat does my insurance policy require me to do to protect my roof after storm damage?Your duty to mitigate after roof storm damage: reasonable emergency repairs, tarping basics, receipts and phot

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