06/17/2026
One thing homeowners are surprised to learn:
When I get called out for a storm damage inspection, the first thing I do isn’t look at the roof.
I pull a storm report.
Insurance companies generally want to see a qualifying storm date in the past calendar year. If there hasn’t been a hail or wind event affecting the property, there’s usually a very low chance of an insurance claim being approved.
Once I get to the property, I have 3 questions:
1. How old is the roof?
2. Have you had any leaks or noticed missing shingles?
3. Who is your insurance company?
That third question is more important than most people realize.
Different insurance companies handle claims differently. I’ve seen situations where roofs with obvious storm damage were approved quickly, and I’ve seen others take months of back-and-forth before a decision was made.
After that, I finally start inspecting the property.
And I don’t start with the roof.
I look at the mailbox, gutters, downspouts, window screens, aluminum fascia, siding, even fencing.
Why?
Because storm damage leaves clues everywhere.
The roof is just one piece of the puzzle.
A good storm damage inspection isn’t about finding a reason to file a claim. It’s about gathering evidence and figuring out whether a claim actually makes sense in the first place.
