When a hailstorm passes through your neighborhood, the damage it leaves behind can be significant—especially to your roof. Properly documenting that damage is crucial for a successful insurance claim. Many homeowners lose out on full compensation simply because their evidence isn’t clear, complete, or properly organized. This guide will walk you through the process of photographing and recording roof damage for your insurance claim, helping you present strong visual proof that supports your case from inspection through repair.
Step-by-Step Photo Guide to Roof Damage Documentation
Begin by ensuring your safety before you start any documentation. Wait until the weather has cleared and the roof is dry, or better yet, hire a qualified roofing inspector if the slope or height makes it risky. Start with wide shots of your entire roof from different angles, capturing the overall condition and any visible signs of damage such as loose shingles, dents, or missing granules. Photos taken from ground level and elevated positions (if safe) help show the scale and context of the damage.
Next, move closer to highlight specific instances of hail impact. Use your smartphone or a digital camera with a time and date stamp activated. Take clear, well-lit close-ups of damaged shingles, gutters, vent caps, and flashing. If you spot circular dents, granule loss, or cracks—especially on asphalt shingles—photograph them from several angles. Including a ruler or coin in the frame can demonstrate the size of hail impacts or punctures, making your claim evidence more detailed and verifiable.
Finally, document related damage around your property. Insurance adjusters often look for patterns of hail impact on nearby surfaces such as siding, fences, window screens, air conditioning units, and vehicles. Providing this broader context helps confirm that the reported roofing damage aligns with a recent storm event. Keep all your photos organized by section of the roof or structure, labeling them clearly. This methodical approach establishes a clear visual record that supports your claim’s validity.
Capturing Effective Videos for Stronger Insurance Claims
While photos provide detail, videos can bring your evidence to life. Start by filming a slow, continuous walkthrough of the roof and surrounding property. Narrate what you see, mentioning specific areas of concern, like “hail indentations on the west-facing slope” or “missing shingles near the ridge line.” The audio explanation helps adjusters understand the sequence and nature of damage. Begin and end your video outside the home to show the entire context of the storm’s impact.
Lighting and steadiness are key factors for usable footage. Try filming in the morning or afternoon when the sun highlights shingles and textures most clearly. If you have a tripod or stabilizer, use it to reduce camera shake. Slowly pan across each section and zoom in carefully on problem spots. Point out structural details such as flashing, gutters, or vents that may have taken direct hits. By capturing both wide and close views, your video provides an accurate, continuous narrative—something still images alone can’t fully convey.
Once your footage is ready, store it securely along with your photos. Upload duplicates to cloud storage or an external drive, and label files by date and roof section. When submitting your claim, include a summarized description of what each video demonstrates. Insurance adjusters appreciate homeowners who present organized, chronological evidence—this often shortens review times and minimizes disputes. Video documentation not only strengthens your claim but can also serve as a valuable record for contractors preparing your repair estimate.
Preparing clear, detailed photo and video evidence of roof damage can make all the difference in your hail damage insurance claim. The stronger your visual documentation, the easier it is to demonstrate the true scope of repairs you need and deserve. By following these steps, you’ll help both your adjuster and your contractor see the same story—ensuring a smoother, faster path to proper reimbursement and restoration of your roof.