I’ve found they’ll sometimes try to call it “wear and tear” instead of storm damage.
That’s exactly what happened to me last year—adjuster took one look and said the missing shingles were “age-related.” Had to get a contractor out to write up a report before they’d even consider it storm damage. It’s frustrating, but I guess they’re just trying to save a buck. Curious, did your contractor charge for that second opinion, or was it part of an estimate? I always wonder if it’s worth paying upfront or just rolling the dice with the insurance folks.
Curious, did your contractor charge for that second opinion, or was it part of an estimate? I always wonder if it’s worth paying upfront or just rolling the dice with the insurance folks.
That’s a tricky one. I’ve seen it go both ways, honestly. Some contractors will give you a free estimate and include a basic write-up if they think there’s a decent shot at getting the job. Others treat any kind of “official” report as billable, especially if they know it’s going to be used to challenge an insurance adjuster. In my experience, the ones who do it for free usually make up for it in the final quote somewhere down the line.
But here’s where I get a bit skeptical about always bringing in a contractor right away. Sometimes, if you push back on the adjuster and ask them to show you exactly what makes it “wear and tear” versus storm damage, they’ll actually walk you through their reasoning. Not saying they’re always right—far from it—but I’ve had cases where just asking for more detail made them reconsider. Maybe I just got lucky, but I’d rather try that before shelling out for a second opinion.
On the flip side, if your roof is already pushing 15-20 years, insurance folks seem to default to “age-related” no matter what. It’s like they have a script. My place has composite shingles and after that last hailstorm, half the block was fighting with their insurers over what counted as storm damage versus “old roof.” The only people who got quick payouts were the ones with newer roofs or really obvious tree damage.
I get why contractors charge for those reports—it takes time and they’re putting their name on something that could end up in court—but I’m not convinced it’s always worth paying upfront unless you know your claim is borderline. Sometimes just being persistent with the insurance company gets you further than another report.
Anyone else notice adjusters seem to get more strict every year? Maybe it’s just my area (Midwest), but it feels like they’re looking for any excuse to deny claims these days...
Sometimes just being persistent with the insurance company gets you further than another report.
That’s spot on. Persistence really does pay off, especially when adjusters start defaulting to “age-related” damage. It’s frustrating, but pushing for specifics can make a difference. You’re not imagining it—adjusters have definitely tightened up lately.
Yeah, pushing back on the “wear and tear” excuse is key. I’ve seen claims denied over stuff that was clearly storm-related just because the roof was a few years old. Photos help, but honestly, sometimes it’s just about not letting them brush you off.
That “wear and tear” excuse drives me nuts. I had a hailstorm take out half my shingles a couple years back, and the adjuster tried to say it was just “age.” The roof was only eight years old—hardly ancient. I ended up having to dig up old inspection reports and a stack of photos from before and after the storm. It’s a hassle, but documentation really does help.
Cost-wise, fixing up after a big storm isn’t cheap. For my 2,000 sq ft house with asphalt shingles, I was quoted anywhere from $8,000 to $14,000 depending on how much decking needed replacing. Insurance covered most of it, but only after I pushed back—hard. If you’ve got a metal roof, you might get away with less frequent repairs, but the upfront cost is brutal.
One thing I learned: don’t just accept the first denial. Sometimes it feels like they’re just hoping you’ll give up. Stand your ground, keep your paperwork handy, and don’t be afraid to get a second opinion if something doesn’t add up.
