I’ve actually had an adjuster flag me for “lack of maintenance” because I didn’t have recent receipts for moss removal. It felt a bit nitpicky, but I get it—insurance wants proof you’re not letting things slide. Now I just snap a few photos after I clean things up, just in case. It’s a hassle, but probably worth it if you ever need to file a claim.
That’s wild—never thought about snapping photos as proof, but it makes sense. I’ve only got a couple of handwritten notes from when I cleaned my gutters and scraped off moss last spring… not exactly “official” documentation. Has anyone had luck with just before-and-after pics, or does insurance really want receipts from a pro? I’m in the rainy Northwest, so moss is a constant battle.
I’ve wondered about this too. Last year, I did a full moss scrape and gutter clean myself (PNW life, right?) and just snapped a bunch of before-and-after photos on my phone. Didn’t have any pro receipts, just my own notes. When I called my insurance to ask, they said photos help show you’re maintaining things, but if there’s ever a big claim, they might push for more “official” proof—like receipts or even an inspection report. Still, I figure detailed pics plus dates are better than nothing. I try to keep a folder for each year just in case.
It’s wild how much insurance companies can vary on this stuff. I’m in the PNW too (moss is basically our state flower, right?), and I’m on the same page—DIY maintenance, lots of pictures, but not always receipts. Here’s what’s worked for me:
1. Every spring, I do a walk-around with my phone and snap close-ups of any trouble spots—missing shingles, moss patches, clogged gutters, whatever. I started tossing a newspaper or today’s mail in the shot for an easy date reference. Not foolproof, but it helps.
2. For the big jobs—like when I had a pro do a roof tune-up—I scanned their invoice and tossed it in my “Roof 2023” folder along with my own photos. If you’re doing it yourself, maybe jot down a couple sentences about what you did and when, just in case you need to jog your memory later.
3. Once a year (usually after our first big fall storm), I check inside the attic for leaks or damp spots. If I find anything weird, I note it and take pics.
I’ve heard mixed things from insurance folks too. Some seem fine with DIY documentation if it’s detailed enough; others want something more “official.” One person even suggested getting a roof inspection every few years just to have that paper trail—not cheap, but maybe worth it if your roof is getting up there in age.
Honestly, half the battle seems to be just showing you care and aren’t neglecting things. It’s not perfect—insurance always finds loopholes—but having organized folders with dated photos and notes has made me feel less anxious about getting denied for “lack of maintenance.”
If you’re ever thinking about going green with your roof (moss aside), those records come in handy too—some eco materials need extra documentation for warranties or insurance discounts. It’s more paperwork, but probably worth it long-term.
Anyway, sounds like you’re ahead of most people already. Curious if anyone’s actually had an insurance claim get denied over this? That’s my worry down the road...
Honestly, half the battle seems to be just showing you care and aren’t neglecting things.
Couldn’t agree more. My “system” is a spreadsheet with dates, what I did (scraped moss, patched flashing, etc.), and photos. Never had a claim denied, but my adjuster once said my notes made his job way easier. Not sure it’s bulletproof, but it’s cheap and keeps me sane.
