When a storm damages your home, your first impulse is to find help, which for many people, means calling the insurance company. But before you do, there’s a smarter first step: schedule a roof inspection before filing an insurance claim.
In other words, call the roofer first.
Why? There are many reasons, but collectively, bringing in a roofer to help you assess the damage can save you time and money in the long run. Here’s how prioritizing a roof inspection before filing an insurance claim is the best thing to do.
- Professional Damage Assessment
Nobody knows roofs better than roofers.
Insurance adjusters often don’t climb roofs — and when they do, they may overlook issues. A licensed roofer will perform a detailed roof inspection, documenting hail or wind damage with photos. This gives you proof of the storm damage before you file an insurance claim.
Here are some of the main reasons ’s why Chicagoland homeowners benefit from calling a roofer first.
In other cases, when the adjuster is missing things that are hail damage in my opinion. I will take photos to document everything for the home owner. I then politely point out things they might be missing. If the adjuster disagrees, I let him finish and then after he leaves, go back over the areas where he has counted storm and I mark in a contrasting color of chalk items I think he has missed. I then re-photograph everything, so I have photos of the adjusters opinion and a second set from the same angle showing my opinion of the damage. I then give this to the owner to give to their insurance agent. Now, the insurance agent has nothing to do with the claims process, but they have more influence than the homeowner. The agent may make a call, they may forward the two sets of photos to the desk adjuster or they may just give the homeowner an email address to forward them to. My company doesn’t knock on doors after storms, so we only inspect roofs if we are invited by home owners. On the first visit, before the insurance adjuster comes out, if we find damage we will photograph it and show that damage to the owner. But if we don’t find damage, we let the home owner know there is no damage sometimes the homeowner says “Great, good to know. I’ll sleep better”. Sometimes the homeowner proceeds with the claim anyway. Sometimes, they get on there roof with ball-peen hammer and try to “make” damage. I’ve seen photos of a claim that was denied because you could see the makers mark in each ball-peen hammer strike.
- Avoid Unnecessary Insurance Claims
Not all roof problems qualify for coverage. Filing an unnecessary or denied claim still goes on your record and can raise your premiums. By getting a roof inspection before the insurance claim, you’ll know whether the damage is significant enough to pursue.
- Immediate Protection for Your Home
Roofing contractors can provide emergency services, like tarping or sealing leaks, to stop further water damage. Insurance companies only process paperwork — they don’t make urgent repairs.
- Stronger Support for Your Claim
When you have a roofer’s inspection report in hand, you’re in a stronger position with your insurer. Many roofers will even meet with the insurance adjuster on-site to make sure all storm damage is properly documented and covered.
- A Roofer Advocates for You.
Insurance companies want to minimize payouts. A roofer works for you, ensuring you get the repairs you need — not just the bare minimum.
The Bottom Line
After a storm, don’t just call your insurance company. Protect your home and your wallet by scheduling a roof inspection before filing an insurance claim.
At Pro-Home Services, we’ve helped hundreds of Chicagoland homeowners through this process — from free inspections to assisting with claims. If you suspect hail or wind damage, call us first 630-790-0800