What does an insurance adjuster look for on a roof after hail?
Adjusters look for hail bruises: soft, dark spots where hail knocked the granules off a shingle and damaged the mat underneath. This damage is usually hard to see from the ground. Adjusters often count hits inside a marked test square on each slope, and they also check vents, gutters and window screens for dents.
What hail damage looks like
Hail rarely punches a hole through an asphalt shingle. Instead, it knocks the granules off a small area and damages the mat underneath. This spot is called a bruise.
Granules protect the shingle from the sun. Once they are gone, the shingle can dry out and crack, so a roof with hail damage may not leak right away but can start leaking a year or two later.
The test square
Adjusters usually do not count every hit on the roof. Many mark a square, often ten feet by ten feet, on each slope and count the hail hits inside it. Insurance companies use these counts to decide whether a slope is damaged and whether the roof should be repaired or replaced.
Slopes that faced the direction the storm came from usually take the most hits.
Other signs of hail damage
Metal dents more easily than shingles bruise, so gutters, downspouts, vent caps, air conditioner fins, window screens and metal fence caps are good places to look for signs of hail.
Take photos of any dents you find. They can help show the size of the hail and when the storm happened.
What can weaken a claim
Waiting too long is a common problem. Most Texas policies have a deadline measured from the date of the storm, and a roof inspected long after the storm can make it harder to show which storm caused the damage.
Past repairs can also affect a claim. Mismatched patches or a second layer of shingles can make it harder to show that the damage came from the storm.
Related questions
Can I be there when the adjuster inspects my roof?
Yes. You can be present for the inspection and ask the adjuster any questions you have.
What if the adjuster says there is no damage?
You can ask your insurance company about a re-inspection, and photos of the damage can help with that request. In Texas, a roofing contractor cannot negotiate a claim on your behalf.
Does a claim raise my premium?
Weather claims are often treated differently from other claims, but it depends on your insurance company. Ask your agent before you file.