Middle Tennessee gets real storms
Spring here brings hail and straight-line winds, and the damage they do to a roof is frequently invisible from the ground. Hail bruises a shingle by knocking the granules off and fracturing the mat underneath; the shingle looks fine, but its life has been cut short and it will start leaking a year or two later — long after the claim window has closed. Wind lifts and creases shingles that then reseal themselves badly.
That is the reason to get a roof looked at after a significant storm even when nothing is obviously wrong.
What we do on a storm inspection
- Walk the roof and check every slope, because hail is directional and one side is usually worse
- Photograph and mark the impacts, with a test square measured out the way an adjuster will want to see it
- Check the soft metals — gutters, vents, flashing, and any metal on the property. These dent before shingles bruise and they are the clearest evidence hail actually fell here
- Check the attic for daylight and moisture
- Give you a written assessment of what we found, whether or not it adds up to a claim
How the insurance side works
If there is a legitimate claim, we document it and meet your adjuster at the property so that the person deciding what your roof is worth is looking at the same evidence we are. Claims are commonly underpaid simply because nobody was there to point out the damage on the back slope.
You pay your deductible. That is the arrangement, and it is worth being blunt about why: a contractor offering to "eat your deductible" or "get your roof for free" is describing insurance fraud, and in Tennessee that exposes you as well as them. We do not do it, and we would encourage you to be wary of anyone who offers.
On storm chasers. After a big hail event, out-of-state crews arrive, knock doors, sign as many contracts as they can, subcontract the work, and are gone before the warranty means anything. We are a Middle Tennessee company and we will still be here in five years. Ask anyone who knocks on your door for their Tennessee contractor licence number before you sign anything.
Timing matters
Most policies require damage to be reported within a limited window after the event, often a year. If you know a storm came through and you have not had the roof looked at, it is worth doing before that closes.
Where we respond
Common questions
Does a storm inspection cost anything?
No. The inspection and the written assessment are free, whether or not there turns out to be a claim.
Will filing a claim raise my rates?
It can, and a weather claim is treated differently by different carriers. We will show you what we found so you can make that decision with your agent before you file.
What if my claim is denied?
A denial is not always final, particularly if the adjuster did not get on the roof. We can supply our documentation to support a reinspection request.
How long do I have to file?
It varies by policy, but many carriers require notice within twelve months of the date of loss. Check your policy, and do not wait if you are close to that.
Do you handle the whole claim for me?
We document the damage, meet the adjuster, and provide the estimates. We cannot negotiate the claim on your behalf, because in Tennessee that is public adjusting and it requires a separate licence.