Hail in an inland climate
Washington doesn’t have the hail reputation of the Great Plains, but the Columbia Basin, the Palouse and the Spokane area see strong summer thunderstorms. Hail that dents gutters and bruises shingles in Spokane Valley or Moses Lake can shorten a roof’s life even when it looks fine from the ground.
West of the Cascades, hail is less frequent and usually smaller. Roof claims there tend to follow windstorms, falling limbs and long wet winters that expose old damage. Insurers sometimes argue that what they see is wear, moss or granule loss from age. Good documentation separates storm damage from maintenance issues.
The roof disputes we see most
- Slope counts. The carrier approves two slopes; the damage pattern supports four or the whole roof.
- Repairability. Discontinued shingles, brittle materials or exposure patterns that make spot repair unworkable.
- Steep and high charges. Pitches at 7/12 and up, and two-story eaves, usually add labor and safety costs.
- Underlayment, flashing and ventilation. Items required by code or manufacturer instructions when a roof is replaced.
- Metal roofing and soft metals. Cosmetic-damage exclusions and how they apply to panels, vents and gutters.
How we document a roof
We measure every slope, record pitch, count layers and photograph damage with scale references. Where helpful, we lay out test squares the way adjusters and engineers do so the panel sees comparable evidence. Then we price tear-off, disposal, materials and labor for your county.
Use our roof pitch and squares calculator to compare your roof’s size against the carrier’s estimate before you call.
Frequently asked questions
The insurer says my roof damage is wear and tear. Can appraisal help?
If the insurer denies that a covered loss happened at all, that’s a coverage question appraisal may not resolve. If it accepts storm damage but disputes how much, appraisal is often a good fit.
What is a cosmetic damage exclusion?
Some policies exclude dents to metal roofing or other surfaces that don’t affect function. Whether a particular dent is cosmetic is often argued on the facts, and the wording matters.
How old can hail damage be?
There’s no single cut-off, but late reporting gives the insurer room to question when damage occurred. Report promptly and keep weather records for the date of loss.
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