That’s wild—binoculars from the driveway just seems like cutting corners, honestly. I totally get your frustration with the “blink and you’ll miss it” inspections. I had a guy do the same thing, barely looked at my roof, and then acted like my photos were just for show. But you’re right, keeping your own records is worth it. When my claim got denied, those extra docs made all the difference on appeal. It’s a pain, but being over-prepared saved me a ton in the end.
I’ve had the same “drive-by inspection” routine—guy barely stepped out of his truck, gave my roof a quick glance, and called it good. Honestly, I don’t get how they can make a call without at least getting on a ladder. I started keeping a folder with every invoice, photo, and even shingle samples after that. It’s a hassle, but when the insurance folks start nitpicking, having all that stuff ready makes it way less stressful. Still, I wish the process was more thorough from the start... would save everyone a headache.
That “drive-by” routine drives me nuts, too. I get that some inspectors are just trying to check boxes, but you can’t spot granule loss or lifted shingles from the curb. I always tell folks—if you want a real answer on your roof’s age or condition, you gotta get up there (or at least have someone who will).
Here’s what I usually recommend: snap photos every time you do any work, even if it’s just a minor patch. Keep those receipts and, if you can, grab a shingle or two when you replace them—insurance loves that stuff. It’s a pain, but it’s saved my clients more than once when adjusters start splitting hairs.
Honestly, I wish the process was more thorough, too. Would save me a lot of back-and-forth with paperwork. But until then, a little extra documentation goes a long way... and hey, at least you’ve got a good story for the next barbecue.
