Straight-line winds, squall lines, microbursts, thunderstorms, and tropical systems may loosen or displace roofing, flashing, cladding, soffits, vents, doors, and other exterior components. The claim requires proof of both the storm-created opening or physical change and the resulting damage.
The objective is to preserve an accurate record before water dries, components are discarded, buildings are repaired, financial records become difficult to reconstruct, or the parties take fixed positions without complete information.
Start with a single event timeline
Record when the wind increased, when water first appeared, which direction the weather approached from, and whether power, doors, windows, or roof components changed.
Save alerts, videos, security footage, witness accounts, and repair calls that help fix the timing.
Map exterior conditions to interior damage
Label each exterior opening, roof slope, transition, penetration, wall, window, and door associated with an interior stain or moisture reading.
Photograph both ends of the suspected path and update the map when demolition exposes concealed conditions.
Preserve competing-cause evidence
Keep prior inspection, maintenance, repair, and leak records. They can distinguish an old recurring problem from a new storm change or show how both contributed.
Do not rely solely on a contractor’s conclusion. Preserve the photographs, measurements, observations, and testing behind it.
Evidence checklist
- Storm timing and local wind or radar information
- Before-and-after exterior and roof photographs
- Fasteners, seams, edges, openings, and displaced-material documentation
- Interior moisture maps and entry-path observations
- Installation, maintenance, repair, and prior-leak history
- Carrier and consultant reports, estimates, photographs, and scopes
Read the complete policy and preserve post-loss compliance
Notice, protection of property, inventories, records, inspections, sworn statements, examinations, proof of loss, and other duties vary. Keep requests and responses in writing, document reasonable mitigation, and obtain the complete policy and endorsements before assuming what is or is not covered.
Related claim guide
High-Wind & Storm Claims
Read the full cause-of-loss, scope, evidence, and frequently asked questions page for this property claim.
View the property-claim guide
About the author
Thomas J. Nessler
Thomas is a partner at Nessler & Associates and represents policyholders in residential and commercial first-party property-insurance disputes.