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Insurance questions

Roof inspections and insurance: a claim is your decision.

Roof Inspectors helps you understand your roof. We don’t file insurance claims, we aren’t adjusters, we don’t work for insurance companies, and we don’t tell you whether to file. Here’s how to keep those decisions separate.

By Roof InspectorsUpdated

The short answer

Checking your storm history doesn’t file an insurance claim, and neither does requesting a roof inspection. A claim only starts when you — or someone you authorize — reports a loss to your insurance company. Whether to do that is always your decision.

Three different questions

  • What weather was recorded near my home?

    Storm records answer this — dates, hail sizes, wind speeds.

  • What condition is my roof in?

    A physical inspection answers this — with photos.

  • Is it covered by my policy?

    Only your insurance company can answer this, under your policy’s terms.

Roof damage doesn’t automatically mean you should file a claim, either. That depends on your policy, your deductible, and the extent of the damage.

Start with question one

Look up the weather on record near your address first. You’ll see a free storm count in about 30 seconds.

  • Doesn’t file an insurance claim
  • One local partner, never a pile-on

After an inspection, your insurer still decides

An inspection documents your roof’s condition as the roofing partner sees it. It isn’t an insurance decision and doesn’t guarantee a claim will be approved.

If you file a claim, even after an inspection, your insurance company decides what’s covered and what it pays. Roof Inspectors and our roofing partners can’t make that decision or promise an outcome.

How we’re paid: The roofing partner pays Roof Inspectors for each inspection request. The partner who inspects your roof may also offer repair or replacement work. That’s one more reason the claim decision stays with you, and why the independent resources below are worth a look.

Questions to ask your insurance agent

  • What’s my wind and hail deductible?

    Some policies use a flat amount; others use a percentage of your home’s insured value.

  • Is my roof covered at replacement cost or actual cash value?

    Some policies depreciate older roofs.

  • How do you decide which storm and date a claim is tied to?

    Your insurer makes that call from its own review. A storm in public weather records doesn’t decide it.

  • Are there time limits for reporting storm damage?

    Many policies require prompt notice.

  • Will asking a question be recorded as a claim?

    Practices vary, so it’s fair to ask first.

  • How might a claim affect my policy?

    The answer varies by company and state.

  • What documentation is useful?

    Typically dated photos, the storm date, and inspection findings.

If you have urgent damage

Independent consumer resources

These organizations are independent of Roof Inspectors. This page is general education. Roof Inspectors doesn’t file insurance claims, act as a public adjuster, or give insurance or legal advice.

FAQ

Insurance questions

See all questions
Does checking my storm history file an insurance claim?
No. Checking your storm history doesn’t contact your insurance company or file anything. Requesting an inspection doesn’t file a claim either. Roof Inspectors doesn’t file claims for homeowners and doesn’t decide whether you should — that decision is always yours.
Should I file an insurance claim after a hailstorm?
That’s your decision, and we don’t make it for you. A good first step is a professional look at your roof. If damage is found, your insurance agent or company can explain your coverage, deductible, and deadlines.
If your records show a storm, will my insurance cover it?
Not necessarily. A storm on record shows weather at or near your address. It doesn’t mean your roof was damaged, and it doesn’t mean your insurance company will accept that storm or date. That’s why an inspection is worth having: a roofing professional looks at the roof itself.

Keep reading

Have a question we didn’t cover? Contact us.

Start with the facts. Decide with confidence.

Start with a free storm count for your address. It takes about 30 seconds.

Checking storm history doesn’t file an insurance claim, and no roofer gets your details unless you book an inspection.

Check my roof’s storm history