Do You Need a Roof Inspection Before You File a Storm Claim in Spokane?
You do not need one to call your insurance company. But if wind or hail has hit your roof, a roof inspection first tells you whether there is damage worth claiming, and gives you photos and notes in hand when you call.
After a Spokane windstorm or hailstorm, most people want the same thing: to know whether the roof is actually damaged before they open a claim. Here is what an inspection covers, what you can do yourself first, and where our part ends and your insurer’s begins.
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What a roof inspection checks
A proper inspection looks at the places where storm damage and leaks start:
- Shingles: missing, cracked, curling or lifted shingles, granule loss and hail bruising.
- Flashing and seals: around chimneys, vents, skylights, walls and valleys, the most common leak points.
- Vents and ventilation: and any sign of trapped moisture.
- Gutters and drainage: clogged, loose or leaking gutters and downspouts.
- Decking: soft spots, sagging or water damage in the boards under the shingles.
- Storm damage: wind-lifted shingles, dents and limb impacts.
At the end you get photos of every problem area and a plain-English note on whether each one is a repair, maintenance or replacement.
What you can do yourself first (without going up there)
Do not climb onto the roof. Wet, damaged shingles are slippery and it is not worth the risk. From the ground:
- Walk around the house and take photos of the roof, gutters, siding, fences and anything else the storm touched. Dated photos help later.
- Look inside. Check ceilings, walls and the attic for stains, drips or daylight.
- Look for debris: shingle pieces, granules in the gutters or on the ground, dented metal like vents and flashing.
- If water is coming in, protect the home. Many policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage. Keep your receipts.
When an inspection before the claim makes sense
- After a wind or hail storm, when you cannot tell from the ground if the roof was hit.
- When you have found a stain or a leak and are not sure of the cause.
- When the roof is old and you want to know where it stands.
It also helps to read your policy before you call. Many policies set a time limit for reporting storm damage, so do not wait months to find out.
Do insurance companies require a roof inspection?
Not to file a claim. You can contact your insurer without one. What the insurer requires after that is its decision, so check your policy or ask your insurer. An inspection from us is optional and gives you photos and notes of your own.
What do adjusters look for?
Adjusters look at the same areas a roof inspection covers: shingles, flashing and seals, vents, gutters and decking, plus signs of wind or hail damage. What counts as covered damage is the insurer’s decision, not ours.
Where our part ends and your insurer’s begins
We do not file or settle your claim. That is between you and your insurance company, and coverage decisions are theirs. What we do is inspect the roof, photograph the damage and write a line-by-line repair estimate that you can share with your insurer. If they have questions about our estimate, we answer them.
If you decide to file, you contact your insurer to open the claim. If you are not sure what the payment will and will not cover, read what the check will and will not cover. We have also written about hail damage claims and wind damage claims.
Book a free roof inspection
Our free roof inspection covers the areas above and ends with photos of every problem area and a note on what each one needs. If it turns out to be storm damage, our storm and hail damage restoration team can write the estimate for your claim. If it is a repair, see roof repair.
Call (509) 230-0632 or use the form on the inspection page.
Avidus Roofing & Exteriors. Licensed and insured. WA Lic. AVIDUCD822NP.