- Spreadsheet’s a solid start, but I’d push for a bit more—especially if you’re in a storm-prone area or have an older roof.
- Insurers sometimes want proof from licensed pros, not just homeowner notes. Got burned once when my own records weren’t enough after hail damage.
- I’d suggest at least an annual inspection from a roofer. Costs a bit, but their written reports can really back you up if there’s ever a dispute.
- Photos are gold, though. I keep before/after shots every time I do anything up there... never hurts to have too much documentation.
- Annual inspection’s a no-brainer, but I’ve seen folks skip it and still get lucky with claims—guess it depends on the adjuster’s mood that day.
- Photos are clutch, but man, I’ve crawled up on some roofs where the “before” shots looked like a horror movie.
- Anyone ever had an insurer ask for drone pics? Had a client last month who swore by them. Worth the hassle, or just overkill?
- Skipping checkups is like playing roof roulette... sometimes you win, sometimes you’re left with a soggy ceiling.
- I’m with you on the “before” pics—my last set looked like a raccoon rave happened up there.
- Tried drone shots once. Fun for the gadget factor, but my insurer just wanted regular photos anyway. Maybe overkill unless your adjuster’s into tech?
- Honestly, anything that keeps me off a ladder is a win in my book.
I get the whole “anything that keeps me off a ladder” thing—trust me, I’ve seen enough folks take a tumble to know it’s not worth the risk. But I wouldn’t write off drones just yet. Sure, most insurers just want clear photos, but drones can actually catch stuff you’d miss from ground level or even from a regular camera—especially if you’ve got a steep pitch or a big tree blocking part of the roof. Had a neighbor who thought his roof was fine after a hailstorm, but drone pics showed cracked shingles on the backside he never would’ve spotted otherwise.
That said, I do think it’s easy to overdo it with tech if your adjuster isn’t interested. Sometimes they just want proof you’ve kept up with maintenance—doesn’t have to be fancy. For me, I just snap pics every spring and fall, and keep ‘em in a folder in case I ever need to file a claim. It’s not perfect, but it’s saved my bacon more than once when an adjuster started asking questions about “pre-existing damage.”
Bottom line: whatever method you use, just make sure you’re documenting *something* regularly. The worst claims I see are always the ones where there’s no record at all... then it turns into a whole mess of finger-pointing.
- Totally agree on the drone point—
That’s a classic example of hidden damage after hail.“drone pics showed cracked shingles on the backside he never would’ve spotted otherwise.”
- Insurers usually just want clear, date-stamped photos, but drones can help with steep or complex roofs where you can’t see everything from the ground.
- I’d add: keep a log of any repairs or inspections, even if it’s just a quick note in your phone.
- Seen claims get denied just because there was no proof of regular upkeep... doesn’t matter how fancy your tech is if you don’t have a record.
- One thing—don’t rely only on spring/fall pics if you’re in a storm-prone area. After any big weather event, snap a few extra shots. It’s saved folks a lot of headaches later.
