"I've found insurers nitpick metal roofs more—maybe because repairs can be pricier?"
Hmm, my experience actually suggests the opposite. I've dealt with a fair share of roof claims, and insurers often seem more skeptical about asphalt shingles—especially if they're older. With asphalt, they sometimes argue about pre-existing wear or maintenance issues, whereas metal roofs tend to have clearer indicators of storm damage (like dents from hail). Of course, detailed before-and-after photos are crucial either way...but honestly, I've seen fewer headaches overall when dealing with metal roofs. Maybe it depends on your region or even the insurer you get stuck with? Either way, I wouldn't necessarily assume metal roofs are always tougher for claims.
Interesting points from both sides here. I've noticed insurers can be pretty inconsistent about this stuff, honestly. A friend of mine had a metal roof installed a few years back, thinking it'd make insurance claims smoother. But when a hailstorm hit, the adjuster was super picky about what counted as actual damage versus "cosmetic" dents. It was frustrating because the roof clearly took a beating, but they argued it was still structurally sound and didn't want to cover repairs fully.
On the flip side, my own asphalt shingle roof got damaged in a similar storm, and the insurance company immediately pointed out the age and previous wear, trying to minimize their payout. Took a lot of back-and-forth before they finally agreed to cover most of it. So maybe it's not really about metal vs asphalt specifically, but more about how insurers handle claims in general? Seems like they're always looking for reasons to pay less, regardless of the roofing material.
I do think region plays a big role too—like if you're somewhere prone to hailstorms or hurricanes, insurers might have stricter guidelines or different attitudes toward certain materials. And yeah, documenting everything thoroughly beforehand definitely helps your case. Either way, don't get discouraged if your insurer pushes back initially... seems like that's just part of the process these days.
I'm right there with you—went through something similar last year. Bought my first house and the inspector said my asphalt roof was "in decent shape," but after a storm, the insurance adjuster argued half the damage was already there. Took lots of photos, got a second opinion from a roofer, and eventually they budged. Definitely learned that documenting everything beforehand helps...and patience is key when dealing with insurers. Seems like it's less about material and more about persistence, honestly.
That's interesting...I've been wondering about this myself. Do you think insurers generally prefer metal roofs because they're supposedly more durable, or is it just a perception thing? Seems like no matter the material, they'll always try to find some reason to push back. Glad you stuck with it though—sounds like persistence really paid off. Did your roofer mention if metal roofs actually hold up better in storms, or is that mostly marketing hype?
"Did your roofer mention if metal roofs actually hold up better in storms, or is that mostly marketing hype?"
Honestly, I think it's a bit of both. Metal roofs do seem tougher overall, but I've seen some pretty nasty storm damage on metal roofs too—especially from hail. My neighbor had a metal roof installed last year, and after one bad hailstorm, it looked like someone took a hammer to it. Insurance still gave him grief about replacing panels. So durability might be there, but insurers will always find something to nitpick...
