Insurance is a mixed bag, honestly. I’ve seen them cover a slow drip if you can prove it’s “sudden and accidental,” but if it looks like old damage or neglect, they’ll fight you on it. Had a client last year—tiny leak, barely visible, adjuster called it “maintenance.” They got nothing. Sometimes it’s all about how you document it and how persistent you are. Those thermal scans do make every old patch look like a crime scene, though...
Those thermal scans do make every old patch look like a crime scene, though...
Ain’t that the truth. Had a scan done after a hailstorm and suddenly my roof looked like it’d been through a war. Insurance adjuster zeroed in on every “old” spot and basically shrugged. It’s wild how much rides on their interpretation versus what’s actually happening up there. Documentation helps, but sometimes it feels like they’re just looking for reasons not to pay.
- Thermal scans are wild—makes every patch or old repair look like a fresh wound.
- Adjusters can be super picky. Sometimes I think they focus more on what *isn’t* storm damage than what is.
- If you’ve got photos from before the storm, that helps. Comparing “before and after” shots can make a difference.
- Not all “hot spots” mean damage, though. Sometimes it’s just insulation gaps or old repairs showing up weird.
- Had a neighbor get denied for the same reason—adjuster said it was “pre-existing.” He ended up getting a second opinion and that helped, but it was a hassle.
- Insurance feels like a game of who’s got the better paperwork half the time...
Not all “hot spots” mean damage, though. Sometimes it’s just insulation gaps or old repairs showing up weird.
That’s spot on. I’ve seen plenty of thermal reports where old repairs light up but aren’t actually a problem. It’s easy to overthink those images, especially if you’re not used to reading them. Comparing with pre-storm pics is a huge help—sometimes even just a close-up from your phone makes a difference with adjusters. Don’t be afraid to push for a second look if something feels off.
Those thermal images can definitely mess with your head if you’re not used to them. I’ve had folks panic over “hot spots” that turned out to be nothing but old patch jobs or even just a weird sun angle. It’s smart to trust your gut if something doesn’t add up, though. Sometimes the adjuster’s first pass misses stuff, especially after a big storm. Don’t feel bad about asking for another look—better safe than sorry.
