I’ve seen a lot of folks get worked up over hail dents, but in my experience, unless you’re seeing chipped paint or the seams are starting to pull apart, it’s mostly just a cosmetic thing. I do wonder, though—has anyone actually had issues with insurance refusing to cover later leaks because of “pre-existing hail damage”? I’ve heard stories both ways. Sometimes adjusters will point at old dings and say it’s not their problem, even if the leak is clearly from something else.
Also, curious if anyone’s noticed certain colors or finishes showing wear faster after hail? I inspected a dark green roof last month that had way more visible scuffs than a lighter one down the street, even though both got hit by the same storm. Maybe it’s just how the light hits it, but it made me think twice about color choices for metal.
Anyone ever see a dent actually turn into a rust spot years later, or is that just another suburban legend?
I’ve actually got a dent or two on my garage roof from a hailstorm a few years back—no rust yet, but I do keep an eye on them. My neighbor swears his red metal roof shows every scuff, while mine’s a dull gray and hides most of it. Insurance did try to blame “previous damage” when I had a leak last year, but after some back-and-forth (and a lot of photos), they finally covered it. Guess it depends who you get on the phone that day...
That color difference is real—darker roofs seem to hide the dings better, but I’ve seen some light gray panels that show every little scratch if the sun hits just right. When I check hail dents, I usually run my hand along the panel, then look from a low angle for shadows. Insurance can be tricky… I once had a client who had to dig up old inspection reports just to prove the dents weren’t “pre-existing.” Photos help, but sometimes it comes down to persistence.
That’s spot on about the color—darker panels definitely hide more, but I’ve had tenants complain about every little mark on lighter roofs, especially after a hailstorm. It’s wild how much more obvious those dings are when the sun’s low in the sky. I’ve found that even with photos, insurance adjusters can be a pain. They’ll nitpick over what’s “old damage” versus new, and sometimes it feels like they’re just looking for a reason to deny a claim.
One thing I’ve started doing is keeping a running log of roof inspections, with dates and quick notes. It’s not perfect, but it’s saved me a headache or two when questions come up. Curious if anyone’s had luck with drone photos for documentation? I’ve thought about trying it, but not sure if it’s worth the hassle or if adjusters even take them seriously.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with drone photos for documentation? I’ve thought about trying it, but not sure if it’s worth the hassle or if adjusters even take them seriously.
I tried the drone thing last year after a nasty hailstorm—mostly because I was tired of climbing up there myself. The pics looked decent, but my insurance guy barely glanced at them. He still wanted his own “official” inspection, so it felt a bit pointless. That said, it’s handy for your own records, especially if you can snap shots before and after storms. Just don’t expect adjusters to give them much weight unless you get super detailed.
