If you’re dealing with an adjuster who’s asking for “CSI: Attic Edition” level proof, it helps to have before-and-after pics, plus any receipts or repair records.
- Totally agree on the photos and receipts—saves headaches later.
- Seen a lot of folks surprised by those wind/hail deductibles lately. Some are 1-2% of home value, not just a flat $1k.
- Had one adjuster ask for shingle samples to “prove” age. Not sure how anyone’s supposed to keep 20-year-old packaging...
- Curious—has anyone actually gotten coverage denied because they couldn’t prove the shingle install date? Or is it just more paperwork?
I’ve actually seen a couple claim denials because of missing install records, but it’s not super common. Usually, if you can’t prove the exact shingle age, they just depreciate the payout more. It’s definitely frustrating—most folks don’t keep that kind of documentation for decades. Sometimes roofers can help track down old invoices or permits, which seems to satisfy some adjusters. Just depends on how strict your insurance company is...
I’ve run into this exact issue a handful of times—insurance adjusters asking for install records that homeowners just don’t have anymore. Honestly, it’s a bit unrealistic to expect folks to hang onto a shingle receipt from 15 or 20 years ago, especially if they bought the house secondhand. What’s worked in my experience is digging through city permit records or even reaching out to the previous roofer (if you can figure out who it was). Sometimes, even photos from Google Street View or old real estate listings can help establish a rough timeline for when the roof was last replaced.
That said, I’ve noticed insurance companies vary a lot on how strict they are about this. Some will just reduce the payout based on estimated age, like you mentioned, while others really dig in their heels. It’s frustrating for sure. I always tell folks to keep whatever paperwork they can—permits, invoices, even emails with contractors—just in case. But yeah, not everyone’s thinking about insurance claims when they get a new roof put on...
Yeah, I’ve run into this too. When we bought our place, the previous owner had zero paperwork for the roof. The only thing that helped was finding a permit from years ago—otherwise, no way to prove anything. Insurance definitely seems to play by their own rules sometimes... I just keep every scrap of paper now, just in case.
That’s a common headache. I’ve seen a lot of folks run into trouble with missing roof docs, especially after a storm claim. Permits help, but photos and even receipts for repairs can make a difference. Insurance companies really do love their paperwork...