What Storm Damage Actually Looks Like
- Bruised shingles — soft, dark spots where the mat is broken under a hail strike
- Granule loss concentrated in gutters and at downspout outlets right after a storm
- Creased or lifted tabs from wind, often along rakes and ridges
- Displaced or missing shingles on the storm-facing slope only
- Dented soft metals: vents, valleys, flashing, gutters, downspouts and any nearby metal siding
- Damaged pipe boots and vent collars, an easy leak path that is simple to miss
Soft metals tell the truth
If gutters, vents and flashing are dented, hail of a damaging size hit the property. That is often the clearest evidence available from the ground.
The Order We Recommend
- Photograph what you can safely see from the ground, including the date
- Note the storm date and keep any local weather reporting for it
- Get a documented roof inspection with photos and measurements
- Read your policy — deductible, coverage type, and any deadline to report
- Decide, with the report in hand, whether to file
- If you file, give your insurer the documentation and let their adjuster inspect
We document what we observe: photos, measurements and a written report. Whether damage is covered, and for how much, is your insurer's decision — not ours and not any contractor's. Anyone promising you an approved claim is telling you something they cannot know.
Out-of-Town Crews After a Storm
Rhinelander sees out-of-area crews after significant storms. Some are competent. The problem is the ones who are gone before the first winter, leaving a workmanship warranty with no one behind it and a homeowner with a claim already filed.
- Ask who holds the workmanship warranty and where they are based
- Ask who will answer the phone in five years
- Do not sign anything that authorizes work contingent on a claim you have not read
- Do not let anyone onto the roof who cannot show proof of insurance
- Take the time to get a second documented opinion — real damage does not expire this week
Common questions
- Do you charge for a storm inspection in Rhinelander?
- No. Storm inspections are free, and you get the photos and written findings whether or not you do anything with them.
- Should I file a claim before or after an inspection?
- We recommend having documentation first, so you know what you are reporting and can make an informed decision about your deductible.
- Can you guarantee my claim gets approved?
- No, and neither can anyone else. We document what we observe clearly and professionally. Coverage decisions belong to your insurer.