My adjuster actually wanted timestamped photos and close-ups of the dents, plus some shots with a ruler for scale. I had to go back and retake a few. It wasn’t a huge hassle, but they were definitely picky about clarity and context—especially with an older roof. I’d say it’s half best practices (clear, dated photos, wide and close shots) and half who you get on the other end. Some folks I know had to fight a bit more, especially if there was previous wear mixed in.
I get why they want all those photos, but honestly, I just did a quick video walkthrough of my roof after the last storm. Paused on the worst dents, held up a tape measure, and sent that in. My adjuster was fine with it—maybe depends on the company or how obvious the damage is? I didn’t have to redo anything, but my roof’s only five years old, so maybe that helped.
That’s actually a solid move—video walkthroughs can save everyone a headache, especially when the dents are obvious. Some adjusters are sticklers for detail, but if you’ve got a newer roof and clear damage, it’s hard to argue with the footage. I’ve seen folks with older roofs get sent back for more photos, so you probably dodged a paperwork bullet there.
- Video walkthroughs are a game changer, but I’ve had adjusters still ask for close-ups even when the damage was obvious. Guess it depends who you get.
- My roof’s only 7 years old, so I figured I’d be in the clear, but the last storm left some nasty dings. Insurance wanted both photos and a video. Not sure if that’s standard or just my luck.
- Anyone else notice metal roofs seem to show every little dent, but asphalt hides it better? I’m starting to wonder if I should’ve just stuck with shingles, even if they don’t last as long.
- For those who’ve had to do the paperwork dance—did you get pushback on coverage because of “cosmetic” damage? My neighbor’s claim got denied for that reason, even though his panels looked like a golf ball.
- Curious if folks in hail-heavy areas have had better luck with certain metal types or coatings. Is it worth paying extra for the thicker gauge, or does it all end up looking beat up after a few storms anyway?
Metal definitely shows dents more than asphalt, especially if you’ve got a lighter color or standing seam panels. I went with 26 gauge steel thinking it’d hold up, but after two hail seasons, it’s got plenty of dings. The roof still works fine, but yeah, it looks rough up close. Insurance called it “cosmetic” too and wouldn’t cover it—seems pretty common unless there’s actual penetration or leaks.
I looked into the thicker 24 gauge panels with a textured finish for my garage, and honestly, they seem to hide the dents better. The upfront cost was higher, but if you’re in a hail-prone area, it might be worth it just for peace of mind. Some coatings claim to be “impact resistant,” but from what I’ve seen, nothing’s totally dent-proof if the hail’s big enough.
If you’re worried about resale or just can’t stand the look of dings, thicker metal or even stone-coated steel might be the way to go. Otherwise, functionally, most of these roofs will outlast shingles, even if they end up looking a bit beat up.