Mastering Roof Inspections: Hail Damage, Part 12

Identifying Elevation Damage

HAIL DAMAGE on the ROOF

When inspecting for hail damage, it’s important to understand the methods used by insurance claims adjusters because if damage for which an insurance company will pay exists, it should be identified and documented using insurance company criteria.

Test Squares

Claims adjusters mark off test squares on a roof to document the extent of damage. The size and locations of test squares are the same no matter what roof-covering material is installed. Here are some test square details:

• Test squares are 10 feet by 10 feet. A square shape is used whenever possible, but if it’s not possible to use a square because of the roof shape, other shapes can be used. The test area size should always be 100 square feet, no matter what the shape.
• Test squares should be placed on each roof slope.
• They should be located in areas with the most damage. They should not be located in areas of a roof which are protected by things such as overhanging tree branches.
  
  

Number of Hits

Once the test square has been created, the adjuster counts the number of hailstrikes within the square. These hailstrikes have to meet the definition of functional damage. The number of hits required to replace that slope of roof will vary. Different insurance companies have different policies. Eight hits is a common number.

Slope/Roof Replacement

The decision of whether to replace individual slopes or to replace the entire roof requires weighing a number of factors. The age of the roof will be one factor. Older roofs are more likely to be replaced. Some insurance companies use a formula in making the decision.

Disagreements

Occasionally, a disagreement will arise among insurance companies, roofers, home inspectors and policy holders about whether damage meets the criteria for roof replacement.

One area with a lot of potential for disagreement is whether the damage meets the description of “functional damage.”

The characteristics of hail-caused functional damage vary with the different types of roof-covering materials. It is easier to identify functional damage on some materials than on others.

There’s more potential for disagreement with a material such as asphalt composition shingles, which may be damaged to some degree. It may be light damage, which does not meet the criteria for functional damage, or it may be serious damage, which does.

These issues are discussed in detail in InterNACHI's courses on the individual roof-covering materials.

Resolving Disagreements