Sometimes insurance covers less than you’d think... kinda depends on your policy and how fast you catch it.
I get what you’re saying, but in my case, insurance actually came through better than expected. We had a tree branch punch through the roof last year—no “before” pics, but the adjuster was decent about it. I think documenting stuff right after the storm helped. Mold was a pain, though... ended up doing some of the cleanup myself to save cash. Not ideal, but it worked out okay. Sometimes patching is enough if you catch it early and things aren’t too soaked.
I think documenting stuff right after the storm helped. Mold was a pain, though... ended up doing some of the cleanup myself to save cash.
Yeah, getting photos and notes right away makes a huge difference—seen plenty of folks get stuck because they waited. Mold’s always tricky. If you catch it early and it’s just surface-level, DIY can work, but once it gets into drywall or insulation, that’s when costs jump. I’ve seen patch jobs hold up fine, but sometimes people miss hidden moisture and it comes back months later. Always worth double-checking those spots with a moisture meter if you can borrow one.
If you ever want to see a grown man cry, just hand him a bill for storm cleanup after he’s already spent a weekend on the roof with a blue tarp and a staple gun. Seriously though, the price tag can swing wildly depending on what got hit—roof, siding, gutters, or if water snuck in and started a mold party behind the walls.
From what I’ve seen, minor shingle patches and gutter fixes might run a few hundred bucks if you DIY, but once you’re talking about replacing sections of roof or dealing with soaked insulation, it’s not unusual to see $5k-$10k (or more) disappear faster than your patience during a hailstorm. Insurance helps, but only if you’ve got those photos and receipts lined up—otherwise, adjusters can get creative with their “estimates.”
One thing I always tell folks: check your attic after any big storm, even if the ceiling looks fine. I’ve found leaks hiding up there that didn’t show up until months later... and by then, you’re not just fixing a roof, you’re funding a mold removal crew’s vacation.
Is it just me, or do insurance adjusters always seem to find a way to “miss” the worst of the damage unless you basically hand them a photo essay? I get the attic check—makes sense—but has anyone had luck getting insurance to cover hidden leaks found months later? I feel like they always argue it’s “maintenance,” not storm-related.
I feel like they always argue it’s “maintenance,” not storm-related.
That’s a classic. I’ve seen adjusters chalk up even obvious wind-driven leaks to “lack of upkeep” if there’s any sign the shingles are older. Sometimes you can get them to budge if you’ve got dated photos from before the storm, but who actually has those? Out of curiosity, what kind of roof are we talking about—shingles, tile, metal? Some materials hide water damage way better than others, which makes these claims even trickier.
