Does your insurance company care what your roof looked like before the storm, or only after?
Both. And that difference is often what decides a claim.
When high winds, hail, or flooding hit a commercial roof, the photos and reports gathered in the first 24 to 48 hours can matter more than the damage itself. Adjusters build claims on evidence, not memory.
What to document after a storm, before any repairs start:
- Timestamped photos and video of the full roof, plus close-ups of any damage
- Interior leaks or water stains, tied to the storm date
- A written inspection report from a licensed commercial roofing contractor
- Maintenance records showing the roof’s condition before the loss
A roof with no inspection history before a storm is a harder claim to prove. Thin or late documentation gives an insurer room to question the loss.
This applies everywhere right now, not just one region. The Northeast is cleaning up after a powerful nor’easter that brought coastal flooding and high winds this weekend. The Gulf Coast and Southeast are still in the middle of Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through November. And forecasters are pointing to a wetter than normal winter for California, raising the risk of wind and rain damage from Pacific storm systems.
Different coast, same rule: document the roof before you clean up or repair.
According to the NRCA, regular roof inspections are the foundation of a strong maintenance record, and IBHS research shows that a well-maintained roof performs better in wind and hail events. Those records are what give a claim credibility.
If a storm has passed through your area, OSR can inspect and document your roof’s condition before you file. We serve commercial properties coast to coast.
Sources:
- NRCA Consumer Information: https://www.nrca.net/roofing-guidelines/consumer-information
- IBHS Roofing Roadmaps: https://ibhs.org/roofing-roadmaps/
#CommercialRoofing #RoofInspection #InsuranceClaims #StormDamage #FacilityManagement #PreventiveMaintenance