Tomahawk, WI & the Northwoods

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Northwoods storm guide

Storm & Hail Roof Damage Claims in Wisconsin

Wind and hail move through the Northwoods every summer. Whether your claim gets paid usually comes down to documentation. Here is the order to do things in — and what we put in your hands before you ever call your carrier.

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Signs of wind and hail damage

  • Dark bruised circles on shingles where granules are knocked loose
  • Piles of granules at downspout outlets after a storm
  • Creased, lifted, or missing shingles along ridges and edges
  • Dented gutters, fascia, vents, or metal roof valleys
  • Split or torn shingles from wind uplift
  • Fresh interior stains at ceilings or wall tops after a storm

The six steps of a claim that gets paid

  1. 1. Stay off the roof and photograph from the ground

    Wet or hail-bruised shingles are slick and easy to damage further. Shoot wide photos of each elevation, the yard, downspouts, and any debris before cleanup starts.

  2. 2. Note the date and the storm

    Carriers tie claims to a specific weather event. Write down the date, time, and what hit — straight-line wind, hail size, or a downed limb. Local news and weather reports help back it up.

  3. 3. Get a documented roof inspection first

    Before you call the insurer, have a roofing contractor climb it and produce photos, measurements, and a written report. Filing without evidence is how legitimate damage gets denied.

  4. 4. Stop further damage, keep receipts

    Tarping an open section or covering an interior leak is your responsibility, and it is reimbursable. Keep every receipt and photograph the temporary work.

  5. 5. File the claim and meet the adjuster with your report

    Adjusters move fast and look at a lot of roofs. Having our documentation in hand — with damage marked and counted — is the difference between a partial and a full scope.

  6. 6. Compare the approved scope against the real repair

    If the scope misses flashing, ventilation, ice-and-water shield, or code-required items, that gets supplemented with documentation, not argument.

What we hand you after a storm inspection

  • Dated photos of every elevation and every damaged area
  • Marked test squares showing hail hit counts
  • Measurements of the roof, penetrations, and flashing lengths
  • A written summary of damage in plain language
  • An itemized repair or replacement scope you can hand to your adjuster
  • A temporary tarping plan if the roof is open

Storm claim questions, answered

How long do I have to file a roof storm damage claim in Wisconsin?

Most policies expect prompt notice, and many carriers apply a one-to-two-year window from the date of the storm. Do not wait — the longer you go, the harder it is to tie the damage to a specific event.

Will filing a claim raise my rates?

Weather claims are typically treated differently than at-fault claims, but policies vary. A free inspection tells you whether the damage is even worth filing on before you make that call.

What if the adjuster says there is no damage?

That happens, and it is not the end of it. With dated photos, marked test squares, and measurements, a denial can be reinspected or supplemented. We provide the documentation, in writing.

Do you handle the insurance paperwork?

We give you a complete inspection report, photos, and an itemized scope you can hand straight to your carrier, and we meet the adjuster on site. We are Roofing Technicians, not public adjusters — you stay in control of your claim.

How much hail does it take to damage a roof?

Around one inch is the common threshold on asphalt shingles, but older, brittle roofs bruise at less, and wind-driven hail hits harder on the exposed elevation. Age matters as much as stone size.

Should I sign anything before the claim is approved?

Never sign a contingency agreement that ties you to a contractor before you know the scope. Our estimate is free, written, and carries no obligation.

Storm damage help in your town

Storm just came through? Call 715-453-4800 and we’ll get up there, document everything, and tell you straight whether it is a claim.

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