Insurance questions
Does checking storm history file an insurance claim?
By Roof InspectorsUpdated 3 min read
The short answer
Many homeowners hesitate before checking anything after a storm. They worry that looking up hail at their address — or having someone look at the roof — will somehow count against them with their insurance company. It won’t.
Checking storm history is just looking at weather records
When you enter your address on Roof Inspectors, we look up the weather recorded at or near your property. You see how many significant storms are on record near your address, free in about 30 seconds. Add your contact details to see each storm’s date and hail size. The records come from public NOAA radar estimates and National Weather Service storm reports.
Nothing is sent to your insurance company. We don’t ask who your insurer is, what your deductible is, or whether you’ve filed a claim. The lookup creates no record with any insurer.
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.
Requesting an inspection doesn’t file a claim either
A roof inspection is a professional looking at your roof’s condition. It’s between you and the roofing professional who inspects it. The inspection doesn’t notify your insurance company, and the results belong to you.
Roof Inspectors doesn’t file insurance claims for homeowners, and we don’t decide whether you should file one.
Curious what storms were recorded near you?
See how many significant storms are on record near your address, free in about 30 seconds. Add your contact details to see each storm’s date and hail size.
- Doesn’t file an insurance claim
- One local partner, never a pile-on
What actually counts as a claim
A claim starts when you, or someone you authorize, reports a loss to your insurance company. The NAIC’s claims guide describes reporting a claim as calling your insurance company or agent, or filing online, and briefly explaining what happened and the damage.
If damage is found, questions to consider
Whether to file is your decision. If an inspection finds damage, these questions can help you think it through with your agent:
- What’s my deductible for wind and hail? A deductible can be a flat dollar amount or a percentage of your amount of insurance. In the NAIC’s example, a 2% deductible on $250,000 of coverage is $5,000. Some policies have a separate deductible for wind or storms, or for the roof.
- Is my roof covered at replacement cost or actual cash value? Actual cash value subtracts depreciation, and the NAIC notes some policies pay actual cash value on the roof even when the rest of the home is covered at replacement cost.
- Are there time limits? The NAIC advises notifying your insurer as soon as you know there’s damage and decide to file. Ask whether your policy sets a deadline.
- How might a claim affect my policy? Ask your agent directly. The answer can vary by company and state.
- What documentation helps? The NAIC suggests photos or videos of the damage and any cost estimates. The storm date and inspection findings can help you describe what happened.
For general consumer guidance, see your state insurance regulator: the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance or the Kansas Insurance Department. The NAIC notes that state insurance departments answer questions free of charge. Your insurance company and agent can explain how your specific policy applies.
Why we stay out of the claim decision
We think homeowners deserve facts first, then a decision that’s entirely yours. Checking storm history is free, the inspection is free, and neither one commits you to anything — with your insurance company or with anyone else.
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.
Sources
Sources (3) · NAIC, Utah Insurance Department
- NAIC: Post-disaster claims guide (PDF) (reporting a claim, deductibles, replacement cost and actual cash value)
- NAIC: Rebuilding after a storm, replacement cost vs. actual cash value for your roof
- Utah Insurance Department: Frequently asked questions about C.L.U.E. (claims vs. inquiries)
How our free inspections work and who pays us
Common questions
Will my insurance rates go up if I check my storm history?
Can I get a roof inspection without filing a claim?
Does Roof Inspectors work for insurance companies?
This guide is general information for homeowners, not professional, insurance, or legal advice. How we write and update guides.