I get wanting to keep insurance happy, but honestly, I think the whole “twice a year on the ladder” thing is a bit much for most folks—especially if you’re not comfortable with heights. I’ve got a drone I use for roof pics now and then, way safer and still gives me proof if anyone tries to say I’m neglecting things. Plus, a little algae isn’t exactly structural damage. Sometimes I feel like insurers are just looking for any excuse to dodge a payout.
I’ve got a drone I use for roof pics now and then, way safer and still gives me proof if anyone tries to say I’m neglecting things.
That’s actually pretty clever—never thought I’d see drones become part of the “homeowner toolkit,” but here we are. Still, I wonder if photos alone always cut it with insurance folks? My cousin in Vermont had a claim denied last winter because they said he hadn’t “maintained” his mossy old slate roof, even though he had plenty of pictures. They wanted receipts for cleanings and some kind of log. He’s not climbing up there at 65, that’s for sure.
I get what you mean about algae not being structural, but sometimes that green stuff can hide small cracks or soft spots—especially on older asphalt shingles. Had a patch on my own place that looked like nothing, then turned into a leak after a heavy rain. Hard to spot from the ground or even with a drone unless you’re really zooming in.
Not saying the insurers aren’t picky (they totally are), but sometimes those checkups catch stuff early. I just wish there was a way to make it less of a hassle for people who can’t—or shouldn’t—be climbing ladders anymore.
I’ve run into the same thing with insurers wanting more than just photos. Even with drone shots, they sometimes push for proof of actual maintenance—like invoices or logs from a pro. Makes me wonder if hiring someone for a yearly checkup (even just to walk the roof and write up a note) is worth it, especially for folks who can’t get up there themselves. I get why they want records, but it does feel like a moving target sometimes. Anyone else had luck with just drone pics and no paperwork?
I tried just sending drone pics after a hailstorm last year, thinking it’d be enough. Nope—insurance wanted “proof of regular maintenance,” whatever that means. Ended up paying a local handyman to walk the roof and jot down a quick report. Cost me about $75, but honestly, it saved a lot of back-and-forth. I get wanting to save money, but sometimes they make it so you have to play their game or risk getting nothing. Feels like they keep moving the goalposts...
“sometimes they make it so you have to play their game or risk getting nothing. Feels like they keep moving the goalposts...”
That’s been my experience too, especially after a big storm rolls through. I used to think keeping receipts for repairs was enough, but last year my adjuster wanted actual inspection reports—like, written proof someone had checked the roof every year. I had a folder full of photos and invoices, but apparently that wasn’t “organized” enough for them.
Honestly, $75 for a handyman’s report is a bargain compared to what I paid for a licensed inspector (closer to $200). But it did make the claim process smoother. It’s frustrating, though, because you never really know what they’ll ask for until you’re knee-deep in paperwork.
I get wanting to save money, but skipping those checkups can bite you later. My neighbor skipped his annual inspection and got denied after a windstorm—insurance said he “couldn’t prove the damage wasn’t pre-existing.” It’s a hassle, but I guess it’s just part of owning a house these days.