Post-Storm Roof Inspection Guide: What to Check for Insurance Claims

June 11, 2026

After hail, wind, or severe storms strike the St. Louis area, roof damage assessment is critical—both for documenting your insurance claim and for determining whether structural integrity is compromised.

Many property owners don't fully inspect their roofs after storms, missing early signs of damage that lead to water intrusion, interior damage, and eventual mold growth. By the time damage is noticed inside (water stains, leaks), weeks or months may have passed, making it harder to connect interior damage to the storm event.

This guide provides comprehensive roof inspection techniques, specific damage indicators to document, safety considerations, and strategies for photographing roof damage for insurance claims.

Roof Inspection Safety Considerations

When NOT to Climb on the Roof

Wet or icy roof: Never climb on wet, damp, or icy roof; slipping risk too high
Severely damaged roof: If roof has large holes, missing sections, or structural damage, stay off
High pitch: Steep roofs require special training and equipment
Advanced age: Very old, brittle shingles may crumble under weight
Personal health issues: Vertigo, balance problems, or physical limitations make climbing risky

Safe Inspection Alternatives

Ground-level binoculars: Magnified views from yard areas with good angles
Ladder inspection: Climb ladder to roof edge without walking on roof surface
Drone photography: Aerial view without personal roof access (verify local regulations)
Professional roofer: Licensed roofing contractor conducts safe inspection
Adjuster inspection: Wait for insurance adjuster; they're trained and insured for roof access

Safety First: A personal injury from unsafe roof climbing costs far more than hiring a professional. Professional roofer inspection fees ($100-200) are deductible inspection expenses for your claim.

Identifying Hail Damage on Asphalt Shingles

Hail Impact Indicators

Hail damage appears as localized circular impacts on shingle surface:

Hail marks: Round or oval bruising/denting visible on shingle surface
Bruise pattern: Darker colored areas where shingle material compressed
Granule loss: Shiny exposed asphalt where granules knocked off at impact point
Size reference: Hail damage often created by hail 0.75"+ diameter (typical claim-qualifying size)
Underlayment exposure: Where shingles severely damaged, dark underlayment becomes visible

Documenting Hail Damage Photographically

Professional documentation essential for hail damage claims:

Scale reference: Coin ($0.25 = 0.96" diameter) placed in photos showing size of damage
Multiple angles: Photos of hail marks from different directions showing 3D bruising
Coverage documentation: At least 10 separate damage areas photographed
Underlayment exposure: Specific photos showing dark underlayment where shingles missing/damaged
Granule patterns: Close-ups showing granule loss and bare spots
Multiple roof sections: Evidence that damage distributed across all roof areas, not concentrated in one spot

What Insurance Accepts as Hail Damage

Insurance companies have specific standards for hail damage claims:

Minimum impact count: Typically require 3-9 impacts per 100 SF roof area (varies by carrier)
Size threshold: Typically require hail 0.75" diameter or larger (small pea size)
Pattern consistency: Damage pattern should match hail event (not random/suspicious damage)
Shingle condition: Shingles shouldn't already be near end of useful life (manufacturers warrant 20-30yrs)

Identifying Wind Damage on Roofs

Wind Damage Indicators

Wind damage manifests differently than hail:

Missing shingles: Shingles completely blown off, exposing underlying wood/felt
Lifted shingles: Shingle tabs curled up at edges but not completely blown off
Nail pops: Fasteners backing out of roof deck, visible nail heads
Shingle cracks: Splitting of shingle material (different from bruising)
Flashing damage: Metal flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights bent or detached
Ridge cap damage: Damage to ridge line shingles that protect roof peak

Photographing Wind Damage

Missing shingles: Wide view showing bare patches, close-up showing nail holes
Lifted tabs: Photos from below showing shingle separation from roof deck
Nail pops: Close-ups showing exposed nail heads with measurements or coin for scale
Flashing damage: Multiple angles of bent/separated metal flashing
Directional pattern: Photos showing damage pattern consistent with wind direction

Pattern Analysis for Wind Claims

Insurers evaluate wind damage by pattern consistency:

Directional damage: Wind damage on storm-facing side supports wind claim
Progressive damage: Damage pattern shows progression from worst (where wind strongest) to less severe
Consistent mechanism: Similar damage type across roof area (not mixed mechanisms)
Systemic failure: Damage to multiple components (shingles, flashing, ridge) indicates significant wind event

Roof Inspection Checklist After Storms

Ground-Level Assessment (Safe Zone)

☐ Walk perimeter of house; look for debris (shingle pieces, granules) in gutters/on ground
☐ Use binoculars to examine each roof section from various angles
☐ Check for visible holes, missing shingles, or flashing problems from safe distance
☐ Look at gutters for shingle granule accumulation (indicator of early-stage hail damage)
☐ Examine gutters and downspouts for damage
☐ Check ground for debris patterns (gathered in certain areas = wind direction indicator)

Interior Inspection (Important for Water Intrusion)

☐ Attic inspection: Look for active leaks, water stains, wet insulation
☐ Water stains on ceilings: New water marks indicate fresh water intrusion
☐ Wall examination: Interior moisture or staining near exterior walls
☐ Basement/crawlspace: Check for new moisture, water pooling, or wet walls
☐ Dark stains: Photograph new moisture or mold patterns appearing after storm

Visual Roof Check (Ladder Level, Not Climbing)

☐ Stand on ladder at roof edge; examine visible shingle surface
☐ Look for hail bruises, exposed underlayment, granule loss
☐ Check ridge cap shingles (often first sign of damage)
☐ Examine flashing around all roof penetrations visible from ladder
☐ Note color changes that indicate affected areas

Documenting Roof Damage for Insurance

Systematic Photography Plan

Property overview: Wide photo from street showing complete roof visible angle
Each roof section: Separate photos of each side/section of roof
Damage concentration: Close-ups of most-damaged areas
Scale reference: Coins or tape measure in damage close-ups
Pattern documentation: Multiple photos showing damage distribution pattern
Before/after comparison: If previous inspection photos exist, compare

Labeling and Organization

Consistent naming: YYYYMMDD_location_damagetype format (e.g., 20260612_NorthRoof_HailDamage)
Spreadsheet tracking: Document each photo: location, damage type, date, description
Backup copies: Cloud storage + external drive copies of all photos
Metadata preservation: Keep original file date/time stamps and GPS location data

Professional Roof Inspection Considerations

Hiring a Roofer for Pre-Adjuster Inspection

Consider professional inspection before insurance adjuster arrives:

Cost: Typically $100-200 for inspection; sometimes credited to repair if claim approved
Expertise: Professional identifies damage you might miss in initial inspection
Documentation: Written report with photos strengthens claim tremendously
Timing advantage: Report completed before insurance inspection; documents fresh damage
Negotiation leverage: Professional assessment supports your position in claim disputes

What to Ask Professional Inspector

Is damage consistent with [storm type] event?
What is roofing system's age and remaining useful life?
Are there pre-existing conditions unrelated to storm?
What is estimated cost to repair vs. replace?
Are Missouri building code upgrades required for repairs?
Written report with photos for insurance submission?

Adjuster vs. Public Adjuster Inspector

Carrier adjuster: Working for insurance company; may minimize damage assessment
Public adjuster or loss assessor: Working for you; advocates for maximum damage recognition
Timing: Having your own professional assessment before carrier inspection strengthens position

Unsure about roof damage after a storm?

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When to File a Roof Claim

Timeline Considerations

Immediate notice: Contact insurance company within 30 days of storm (don't delay)
Documentation window: Fresh damage is easier to document and verify
Prevent secondary damage: Early tarping/repairs prevent water intrusion/interior damage
Before deterioration: Weather causes continued deterioration; document fresh damage

Claim Versus Maintenance Issue

Not all roof problems are insured losses:

Storm damage: Direct damage from hail, wind, or weather event = insured loss
Maintenance issue: Pre-existing deterioration, normal wear-and-tear = maintenance expense
Installer defect: Defective installation or workmanship = contractor warranty issue (not insurance)
Age/obsolescence: Old roof near end of life is maintenance (not storm loss)

Key Roof Damage Takeaways

Inspect promptly: Within days of storm, document damage before weather causes changes
Stay safe: Don't climb on damaged or wet roof; use ladders, binoculars, or professionals
Document comprehensively: Multiple photos with scale references and pattern documentation
Hire professionals: Professional roof inspection ($100-200) provides credible documentation
File early: Report damage to insurance within 30 days; don't delay to gather perfect documentation
Interior inspection: Check attic and interior water damage; can be more significant than roof damage
Pattern analysis: Organize photos to show damage distribution consistent with weather event

Roof damage after storms is common in Missouri and often invisible from ground level. Prompt, thorough inspection captures fresh damage evidence that's essential for strong insurance claims. Even if no obvious damage is visible, professional inspection can identify early-stage damage that will expand into major problems without treatment.

If you're documenting roof damage after storms or need guidance on your claim, contact STL Public Adjusting. Our public adjusters have extensive experience with roof damage assessment and can help ensure your storm damage claim is complete and properly documented.