I do think some of those “hurricane rated” labels are just marketing, but have you ever seen one actually hold up in a real storm? I’ve seen mixed results.
That’s been my experience too. I’ve worked on a handful of roofs with so-called hurricane-rated shingles, and honestly, the outcome varies more than people think. After Hurricane Irma came through here a few years back, I was called out to inspect several “hurricane rated” installs. Some held up fine, but others had tabs missing or even whole sections peeled back. What I noticed was that the ones that failed usually had issues with the install—nails in the wrong spot, flashing not lapped correctly, or starter strips missing. The shingle itself might be rated, but if the details aren’t right, that label doesn’t mean much.
Flashing is a big one. Like you said, it’s almost always the culprit when I’m tracking down leaks. One time, I found a leak that had stumped two other contractors—turned out to be a tiny gap where the step flashing met the dormer siding. It wasn’t visible unless you really got in there with a flashlight and poked around. That little gap caused water to run behind the wall for months before anyone noticed.
On the insurance side, photos and documentation are gold. I always tell folks to take a ton of pictures before and after any work, especially if they’re trying to get a discount or prove storm damage. Some inspectors barely look at the roof—they just want to see evidence that you’ve maintained it. I’ve seen people get their premiums lowered just by showing proof of recent repairs or upgrades.
But yeah, labels can be misleading. I’d put more trust in a careful install than any marketing claim. At the end of the day, it’s the attention to detail that keeps water out—not just what’s printed on the box.
Funny timing—I had a similar situation after a windstorm last year. The adjuster barely glanced at the roof, but because I had a bunch of photos from when I replaced the flashing and did some patchwork, my insurance actually dropped. I’ve seen “hurricane rated” stuff fail too, especially if the installer cuts corners. It’s wild how much hinges on those little details, not just the brand or label.
It’s wild how much hinges on those little details, not just the brand or label.
That’s spot on. I’ve inspected plenty of “hurricane rated” roofs where the materials were fine, but the install was sloppy—missing fasteners, improper overlaps, or flashing not sealed right. Those shortcuts are what really lead to failures, not the shingle brand. Insurance companies are starting to care more about documentation and workmanship than just product specs. Photos of repairs or upgrades can make a big difference, especially after a storm claim. It’s tedious, but keeping a record of any work you do (even minor stuff) pays off in the long run.
That’s interesting about the documentation—never really thought about snapping pics of every little repair, but it makes sense. I just had my roof checked out after moving in, and the inspector pointed out a couple spots where the previous owner used the wrong nails. Didn’t seem like a big deal at first, but now I’m wondering if that could mess with a future claim. Has anyone actually had insurance push back because of install issues, even if the roof looked fine from the outside?
I just had my roof checked out after moving in, and the inspector pointed out a couple spots where the previous owner used the wrong nails. Didn’t seem like a big deal at first, but now I’m wondering if that could mess with a future claim.
That’s actually a pretty common thing, especially with older homes or DIY jobs. I’ve seen insurance adjusters get real picky about installation details when there’s a claim, even if the roof looks solid from the street. Had a neighbor go through this—hail storm came through, shingles looked fine except for a few spots, but when the adjuster got up there, he flagged “improper fasteners” and denied the claim. The kicker was, the roof hadn’t leaked or anything, but the insurance company said it was “pre-existing improper installation,” so not covered.
It’s frustrating, because you’d think as long as it’s not leaking, you’re good. But they’ll sometimes use any excuse to avoid paying out. If you’ve got photos or inspection reports showing you didn’t know about the issue (or that you fixed it), that can help your case. I’d say if it’s just a few nails, might be worth getting them swapped out now, just to avoid headaches later.
