roofer reports and insurance claims. How they work together and what is needed.

Written By Melinda Maples

One of the biggest frustrations homeowners face after storm damage is all the waiting. Waiting on adjusters, paperwork, decisions and sometimes waiting on denied claims because information was incomplete.

The quality of your insurance report can directly impact how quickly your claim is processed and whether the insurance company has enough documentation to make an informed decision.

A well documented report doesn't guarantee approval, but it does help eliminate confusion, reduce delays and provide the evidence needed to support your claim.

What Should Be Included in an Insurance Roof Report?

1. Property Information

  • Homeowner's name

  • Property address

  • Date of inspection

  • Date of storm event (if known)

  • Inspector's name and company information

This creates a clear record of when the inspection occurred and who performed it.

2. Roof Measurements

  • Total roof area (square footage)

  • Number of squares

  • Roof pitch

  • Ridge lengths

  • Hip lengths

  • Valley lengths

  • Eave lengths

  • Waste factor calculations

These measurements help establish the scope of the roof and allow insurance carriers to estimate materials and labor accurately.

3. High-Quality Photos

Overview Photos

  • Front, back, and sides of the home

  • Entire roof elevations

  • Detached structures if applicable

Close-Up Photos

  • Missing shingles

  • Creased shingles

  • Wind-lifted shingles

  • Hail impacts

  • Exposed underlayment

  • Damaged flashing

  • Damaged gutters, fascia, or siding

4. Damage Mapping

  • Which slopes are damaged

  • Number of damaged shingles

  • Location of damage

  • Directional patterns

  • Areas of concern

This helps insurance adjusters quickly understand the extent of the damage without having to interpret dozens of random photos.

5. Weather Documentation

  • Date of storm

  • Wind speeds

  • Hail size

  • NOAA weather reports

  • Local storm history

6. Age and Condition of the Roof

Insurance companies often evaluate:

  • Approximate age of the roof

  • Existing wear and tear

  • Maintenance condition

  • Previous repairs

An honest report should distinguish between:

✔ Storm-related damage

and

✔ Normal aging or installation defects

7. Interior Damage (If Present)

If storm damage has caused leaks, the report should include:

  • Water stains

  • Ceiling damage

  • Insulation issues

  • Mold concerns

  • Active leaks

Interior damage can help establish a timeline and demonstrate the impact of the roof failure.

8. Professional Findings and Recommendations

  • Whether damage appears consistent with wind or hail

  • Areas requiring repair

  • Areas requiring replacement

  • Safety concerns

  • Temporary repairs that were performed

The goal is to provide facts and documentation not opinions.

Why Does a Detailed Insurance Report Help Claims Move Faster?

Insurance adjusters may inspect several properties in one day. The easier it is to understand the damage, the easier it is to evaluate the claim.

Reduces back and forth requests

Missing information often leads to additional inspections and delays.

Creates a clear damage timeline

Weather reports and photos help establish when and how damage likely occurred.

Organizes evidence in one place

Measurements, photos and documentation allow adjusters to review information efficiently.

Eliminates confusion

Photos and mapped damage reduces the chances of important details being overlooked.

Helps homeowners understand their own claim

Many homeowners want transparency. A thorough report gives them a better understanding of their property and the process ahead.

How Can Roofers Help?

A good roofing contractor doesn't "get claims approved." Insurance companies make their own coverage decisions.

What a professional roofer can do is help homeowners by:

  • Conducting a thorough inspection

  • Providing detailed documentation

  • Identifying all storm-related damage

  • Communicating clearly

  • Meeting with the adjuster when requested

  • Creating a digital record of the home

Homeowners Deserve More Than a Quick Glance at Their Roof

At AGM Roofing and Sheet Metal, we believe homeowners deserve transparency, education and documentation. There have been several instances in which we have explained to the homeowner they do not need a new roof. There have also been times we found damage that could lead to an insurance claim.

Regardless, we always play by the same book with the same goal in mind; Provide clear documentation, explain what we are seeing and leave every homeowner with a record of their property so they can make informed decisions with confidence.

Give AGM Roofing and Sheet Metal a call today! 816-508-9834

Melinda Maples
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home documentation is more important than homeowners realize