Every claim eventually comes down to the same question: can you show what the storm did? Not describe it — show it. The homeowners with the least friction are almost always the ones who built a clean file in the first two weeks.
What belongs in the file
- Dated photos of the exterior from all four sides, plus close-ups of any soft-metal denting.
- The storm date and the local storm report or radar record for your address.
- A contractor's written inspection with slope-by-slope photos of the roof itself.
- Any interior photos of staining, drips, or ceiling changes after the storm.
- Receipts for emergency work — tarping, board-up, water extraction.
- A simple log: who you spoke to, when, and what was said.
Why soft metals matter more than people think
Gutters, downspouts, vents, and AC condenser fins dent at lower impact energy than shingles do, and they don't heal. Adjusters use them as a physical record that hail of a given size actually fell at your address. Photograph them before anyone straightens or replaces anything.
Keep the roles straight
Your carrier's adjuster evaluates the loss under your policy. A contractor documents the roof's condition and prices the work. We stay in our lane: we'll meet the adjuster on site, walk the same slopes, and make sure the scope reflects what's on the roof. We don't represent you in the claim, and anything about coverage, deductibles, or policy language is a conversation for you and your carrier.
One quiet rule
Don't let anyone — including us — tell you damage is confirmed before a roof has actually been inspected. A file built on guesses falls apart the first time someone with a ladder disagrees with it.