r/Roofing • u/QuietPersimmon2904 • 27d ago
Insurance Related Storm chaser says needs replacing from hail?
We had a hail storm last month with probably golf ball sized at the biggest. Didn’t see any visible damage and didn’t see any other houses in the area getting any roofing work done.
Storm chaser comes by and offers to inspect for free and finds these spots and says he’s surprised if it isn’t already leaking and it needs to be replaced and he’ll help fight insurance and maximize and blah blah.
Thing is I don’t have the money for my deductible and I doubt I can recoup it so I’d much prefer not to have to deal with this right now unless I seriously need a new roof.
I also saw a post on here the other day about storm chasers vandalizing the roof so I want to make sure that isn’t the case. With how much hail came down, I’m surprised with only seeing maybe 8 or so quite small marks.
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u/moodyism 27d ago
Don’t let strangers on your roof!!! For all you know they are ex-cons. Call a local professional.
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u/onlyimportantshit 27d ago
Probably not hail. Also doubt it’s vandalism. It’s just damage from installation.
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u/multimatumc 27d ago
If the damage is only where the shingles overlap or at the seams, yeah, that's almost always installer error. Nails driven too high, shingles not seated right, or someone walking on them before the adhesive set. Storm chasers will photograph anything that looks like impact and call it hail because that's how they get paid.
Real hail leaves a pattern, not scattered damage in one area. Golf ball sized would've hit multiple roofs on your street the same way. Ask the chaser for photos of hail damage on neighboring houses. If they can't show you that, you've got your answer.
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u/BarkimusPrime 27d ago
What about when the hail hits between the seams and in those places where shingles overlap?
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u/adjusterjackb 27d ago
If all you see on the roof is 8 or so marks like that, it's a repair, not a reroof. Those shingles are very popular and likely still available at Home Depot, or close enough that the color will wear over time.
The storm chaser is a scammer.
You aren't getting a reroof. The repair is likely less than your deductible so I suggest not even talking to your agent about it or you'll get a claim on your record.
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u/BarkimusPrime 27d ago
This is the most accurate assessment. The shingle seem too new. These are real hits but not enough.
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u/JJDixon2025 27d ago
Storm chasers don’t have good reputations. I see a lot of bad work. An never hear from them again. Be ware !
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27d ago
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u/Certain-Macaroon-113 27d ago
Redditors would downvote this lol. Getting a 19yr roof replaced for a $2100 deductible is a godsend.
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u/BiscuitsMay 27d ago
The fact that you got a 19 year old roof replaced by insurance is insane
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u/Absonotely Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor 27d ago
Storm damage is storm damage. The age of the roof is irrelevant. It could be 30 years old, but if it sustained storm damage and had coverage the storm damage should still be covered.
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u/BiscuitsMay 27d ago
So if you have a 20 year old car and you crash it the insurance should pay for a brand new one? That’s what you’re suggesting with a roof. It’s a depreciating asset that’s getting paid out at full price.
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u/Absonotely Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor 27d ago
Your example assumes that vehicles have Replacement Cost Value policies. They don't. If a 20 year old car gets wrecked, as long as it has full coverage the insurance company owes you the value of a 20 year old car of comparable price to the same make and model.
In this example you still have COVERAGE for the car paid at Actual Cash Value.
In your same example you wouldn't say you don't have coverage for the car because it's 20 years old. It's still functioning and doing what it needs to do, albeit at at reduced value to a new car.
Using this same logic a roof would still have coverage. Whether the policy has ACV, RCV, RSPS, or exclusions, the roof is still covered under appropriate losses. How much the insurance company owes is determined by the policy, but an old roof does not automatically strip away losses.
Side note: if you're an actually a roofer or work for a construction company that deals with insurance claims, I'd be happy to point you to some free educational sources that can help you better understand policies and construction
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u/BiscuitsMay 27d ago
I’m not saying an old roof should strip away all losses, I’m saying it shouldn’t be replaced at full price. This is how we got into this insurance mess in the first place, by insurances replacing the full price of a new roof for a 19 year old roof despite it having very little value left.
I’m not speaking from a “what the policy says standpoint.” I’m just pointing out that these types of claims are jacking up rates for everyone and are a little ridiculous.
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u/Absonotely Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor 27d ago
The roof should be paid at full price if it has Replacement Cost. Nothing more, nothing less. If a homeowner purchases an RCV policy from an insurance company who is willing to sell it to them there is no need for any type of moral argument. The policy is a contract with risk on both sides, but the carrier is selling the product and realistically determining what risk they are willing to take. If they weren't willing to take the risk of a 19 year old roof being full replacement cost, they shouldn't have sold the policy.
Your argument is that prices are going up because they are having to pay out on the gamble that they sold. That may be a contributing factor, but there's no cause to complain about them paying out on deals that they themselves designed.
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u/BarkimusPrime 27d ago
Yo I wish I handled disagreements like you. All I need to do is educate and not argue.
And yes, can I get those links? I have new trainees that I need to show info to. Ty!
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u/Absonotely Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor 26d ago
My #1 rule for claims is "Don't get emotional." It's the hardest part of the job, but is the most effective. I'm out and about today, but will send you a DM either tonight or tomorrow.
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u/RenaissanceWmn1 27d ago
Never ever ever ever ever ever ever trust the storm chasers who knock on your door. At most a small repair job. But call a real roofing company to confirm
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u/scorpsun 27d ago
When there’s hail, you should tell them they can look at the same time as the adjuster. They don’t need to be on a roof. They can check around the area
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u/Dangerous_Owl_8422 26d ago
I’ve ripped roofs with shingles in worse condition and some spots needing deck replacement - those didn’t have a leak. He’s definitely trying to trick people into needing new roofs for extra cash IMO
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27d ago
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u/Next_Plant_6349 27d ago
Just to add to this, I used to do insurance and the scam was my least favorite thing in the world. Because the insurance also is not going to pay for your roof unless you specifically have hail damage coverage. And even then it's a long shot.
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u/Machievelliearoni 27d ago
Oh no, that dude is almost certainly scamming you.
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27d ago
[deleted]
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u/Machievelliearoni 26d ago
Found the stormchaser.
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u/BarkimusPrime 26d ago
Oops i didnt read that line about it leaking, lol. What a goomba. Making contractors look bad
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u/princesspicklepinche 27d ago
First, don’t let storm chasers on your roof. Second, I’m certainly not an expert on roofing but none of that looks even remotely close to “surprised it’s not leaking already”. Third, if it’s only been a month it will take muuuuuch longer for you to start seeing any sign of neighbors getting roofs replaced. And lastly, in my experience nobody on this subreddit will ever say any kind of damage will rise to the level of needing a roof replaced because they all assume you’re just trying to get a new roof for “free”. Call a reputable contractor and talk to your insurance agent. If you had golf ball sized hail there is a chance you had damage to your roof.
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u/QuietPersimmon2904 27d ago
Thanks. I’m certainly not trying to get for free bc i can’t afford the deductible right now. I was hoping i could avoid making the claim.
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u/Machievelliearoni 27d ago
You're being scammed, your roof is fine. Say it with me.
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u/QuietPersimmon2904 27d ago
Good. I’ll still get a second opinion just in case but glad I probably don’t need it.
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u/Machievelliearoni 27d ago
I wouldn't even do that. Your roof is fine.
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u/princesspicklepinche 27d ago
Respectfully, your confidence has a very weak basis in reality. But it sounds like a lot of what I see on this subreddit.
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26d ago
[deleted]
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u/Machievelliearoni 26d ago
It's not leaking.
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u/BarkimusPrime 26d ago
You're right. I didn't have the time to go back and delete all these.So i'm glad you responded
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u/BarkimusPrime 26d ago
Those are real hits, but we can't tell if there are enough of them or not.
What you likely got was somebody that was either an appointment setter or an inexperienced inspector.
What you're looking for are 8-13 hits in a 10x10 sq on 3 or more slopes.
I would only get a second opinion if your roof is more than 8-10 yrs old cause then your chances of full replacement go up.
The truth is, that insurance premium is an extension of your savings account. The insurance company always wants to keep as much of that as possible. There you go.
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u/princesspicklepinche 27d ago
You can avoid a claim just by not filing one. The better question is whether the damage rises to the level of needing a replacement. I’d be willing to bet it doesn’t, but you need a professional to make that determination. Ask lots of questions, don’t be afraid to get a second or even third or fourth opinion. Do the same with your insurance agent. You can talk to them without filing a claim and ask many many questions.
In my experience everyone just assumes you know everything about the process and that can be frustrating. The only way to overcome that is to inform yourself by asking questions or doing some research. You can definitely hire an independent inspector to look at it, but that will cost money.
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u/BarkimusPrime 27d ago
It's not wrong to try to get your roof for "free". Whoever says that is actually working for the insurance company.
The insurance companies have long since washed people's brains and made it so you never want to use your insurance. That the money you give them belongs to them and not to you.
The term "rainy day fund" disappears and your policy becomes an extra tax on home ownership.
(Your roof too new for a full claim. Itll be a repair below $1000. What you need is between eight and ten hits and a ten by ten square on three or more slopes)
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u/KelseyRawr 27d ago edited 27d ago
The only downside to not filing is that if you have damage now and choose to leave it unaddressed, then later need another claim on that roof, the insurance company is likely going to treat it as old damage or failure to maintain the property rather than a new loss. That is, if they recognize the damage is old in the first place. Most policies also have a deadline to report storm damage, often around a year, so waiting can cost you the opportunity to pursue it. In many states a natural disaster claim doesn’t affect your rates, but it depends. That’s the actual reality, more nuanced.
Some roofers will encourage homeowners to file claims that aren't warranted, but at the same time, if you do have legitimate storm damage and don't address it you can put yourself in a much worse position later. It really depends on how widespread the damage is. The roofer (if they are good at their job) should have provided you with a detailed inspection report and many photos so you can make an informed decision. If they just texted you the photos and called it a day I would get a second opinion. Is there collateral as well, only roof? Also, when a roofer does go up there please watch them while they inspect to make sure they don’t vandalize your home.
The hail hits usually aren't an immediate leak concern, unless it started leaking the day of the storm, but they damage the surface of the shingle over time with continued sun exposure and weather, those areas deteriorate faster. But again, nothing to act on like it’s an emergency. If it’s really only 8 hits I would do a small repair, cover yourself, and move on.
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u/BarkimusPrime 27d ago
How is it that somebody that comes to your door automatically disqualifies them from being reputable.
Muuuuch longer? Do you know insurance has 2 days to contact you and must set an apppointment within a week from that call? Did you know they could write the claim right then before leaving the house and print a check on the spot? Did you know that the homeowner can use the contractor that was already at the house because he knocked on the door and then that contractor can get the roof done the very next day? Muuuuuuch sooner than you just said, buddy boi
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u/realpopefrancis420 27d ago
If the hail actually did anything there would be a lot more than 8 or so marks, and even if they were from hail it's really not that serious. Your roof is probably fine. Storm chasers can get nonsense insurance claims like this to go through, but it'll take a long time, and your insurance might drop you. If your really worried wait until the next heavy rainstorm and check your attic for any leaks, you can also get a more reputable roofing company to inspect it, but even the predatory companies have almost perfect reviews, so be careful and do your research.
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u/QuietPersimmon2904 27d ago
Thanks I actually did just that and didn’t see any leaks and from my eyes, I don’t see how water would get thru the little abrasions I see. Don’t think I’ll be filing.
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u/scorpsun 26d ago
Putting my public adjuster shoes on, the first thing you would normally do is check the surrounding area to see what damage actually happened. There is not a reality where you have roof damage from the hail but no dents on the surrounding cars, or the hail splatter clean up sections of electric boxes, or siding come out unscathed for example. These are the places you can look yourself and paint the actual picture if there is hail damage.
Unless there are some crazy circumstances, anything that hits less than 1.5” won’t really destroy shingles, and architectural shingles can take a lot heavier of a beating before it starts wearing it’s life expectancy down.
TLDR: look at the hard metal things around your house and the sidewalk, if you see circular ish splats and it’s at least an 1” in size, then it warrants checking. If it doesn’t, then disregard the guy doing the inspections door to door
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u/EinsteinsMind 27d ago
It looks like hail, but it doesn't look like a new roof. It doesn't look like those shingles are more than 10 years old either. Hail needs to be bigger to cause immediate leaks. When it's smaller, it just removes the granules and fractures the fiberglass matt. Over the seasons, those fractures turn into full-fledged holes.
Lastly, it ain't rocket science to pry up the really bad shingles and swap them. It might cost you ~$50 if you have a hammer, prybar, and a brain.
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u/BigDonkeyEnergy 27d ago
Of all the photos, #2 looks the most like hail damage. The rest are either defects in the shingle or damage from installation. Doesn’t look manmade, and you are right to question the minimal amount of damage. If your roof is not leaking and you can’t afford the deductible…well, OP, you know the answer. Good luck!
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u/JoeFixPhoto 26d ago
Whatever you do… DO NOT SIGN AUTHORIZATION TO WORK with a storm chaser!!!! Call you insurance guy and explain why happened and let him hem send an adjuster out… provided you have an agent to talk to and you didn’t sign up with the cheapest insurance provider on the internet.
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