What Insurance Actually Covers
MA homeowner's insurance (HO-3 / HO-5 standard) covers sudden, accidental damage from named perils: wind, hail, fire, falling objects (trees), lightning. It does NOT cover gradual wear, age-related deterioration, missing flashing from prior poor installation, or maintenance failures. The first thing the adjuster looks for is whether the damage signature matches a STORM, not gradual.
Documentation that supports a storm-cause finding: dated photos showing damage NOT present before the storm, weather data confirming the storm hit your area, debris consistent with the storm pattern, and damage location consistent with storm-direction wind. Documentation that signals maintenance issues: weathered/aged shingles in adjacent areas, prior repair patches, granule loss without other storm signatures.
The 8-Step Inspection Sequence
Run this sequence within 7 days of the storm — sooner is better. Document everything; you can throw away photos you don't use, but you can't add photos you didn't take.
Total time: PT60M
- Step 01
Verify the storm event happened (NOAA + utility records)
Pull NOAA Storm Events Database for your county and date — print or screenshot the wind speed, hail size, and storm path. Check Eversource/National Grid outage history. Save the local news weather report from that date. This establishes that the named peril occurred in your area at the documented time. - Step 02
Photograph the roof from 4 ground angles (BEFORE climbing)
Walk around the house. Photograph each elevation (front, back, both sides) showing the full roof from ground level. Use a phone with date/time stamp turned on. These wide shots establish overall context and let the adjuster see roof orientation relative to storm direction. - Step 03
Inspect gutters, downspouts, and AC condenser fins
Hail strikes leave dents in aluminum gutters and downspouts and bend AC condenser fins inward (visible from ground). Wind events deposit debris in gutters. Photograph dents, bent fins, and debris with measurement reference (ruler, coin, hand) in frame. These are the easiest-to-prove damage indicators. - Step 04
Walk the perimeter looking for fallen debris
Photograph fallen branches, scattered shingle granules in flowerbeds, displaced ridge caps in the yard, broken decorative items. Granule loss in flowerbeds 8-12 feet from the house wall = significant shingle damage above. Branches > 2 inches diameter = consider tree-related impact damage. - Step 05
Climb to roof level (ladder + harness or hire a pro)
If you're comfortable on a ladder and the roof pitch is < 6:12, do this yourself. Otherwise call Pro Build for a free post-storm inspection — we don't charge until the project starts. From the eaves, photograph: lifted shingle tabs, missing shingles, exposed underlayment, hail-strike dents on visible shingles, and damaged ridge cap. - Step 06
Document chimney + skylight + vent flashing
Storm wind specifically loosens flashing around penetrations. Photograph step flashing, chimney counter-flashing, plumbing vent boots, skylight curbs. Damaged flashing causes the slow leaks that show up weeks after the storm — file proactively, even if no leak is visible yet. - Step 07
Get a Pro Build (or other contractor) written assessment
Contractor-issued assessments are NOT proof of damage on their own — adjusters discount them — but they document scope and cost. Keep this for negotiation. Pro Build's written post-storm assessments include the roof age, observed damage, photographic evidence, and estimated scope of repair separate from any unrelated maintenance items. - Step 08
File the claim with your insurer within 7-30 days
MA insurers (Liberty Mutual, MAPFRE, State Farm, Vermont Mutual, Plymouth Rock) all accept online claims. Submit: NOAA storm event documentation, dated photos, contractor assessment, list of damaged items. Adjuster typically schedules within 7-14 days. NEVER let the contractor sign the claim form on your behalf — that's an Assignment of Benefits arrangement that can complicate the process.
Why Claims Get Denied
The 4 most common denial reasons in MA roof claims:
- Pre-existing damage commingled with storm claim: Adjuster sees evidence of prior wear (granule loss across all shingles, not just impact zones) and concludes damage was already there. Solution: file ONLY for storm-attributable damage; handle aging issues separately.
- Late filing without explanation: Filing 60+ days post-storm without documentation of when damage was discovered. Solution: file within 30 days; if you discover late, document discovery date.
- Hail too small to cause functional damage: Hail < 1" diameter rarely cracks shingles. Adjusters reject claims when hail event was sub-1" without other damage indicators. Solution: photograph hail SIZE during the event when possible.
- Roof age beyond manufacturer warranty: A 28-year-old asphalt shingle roof past its 25-year warranty often gets denied even with storm damage — adjuster claims the shingles were already failing. Solution: file regardless; appeal with engineering report if denied.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do I need to file a roof storm damage claim in MA?
Most MA insurers (Liberty Mutual, MAPFRE, State Farm, Vermont Mutual) accept claims up to 1-2 years post-event but tighten scrutiny after 30 days. Best practice: file within 7-14 days of the storm. Late filings with documented good reason (homeowner traveling, damage initially hidden) are usually accepted; late filings without explanation get denied.
Should I let a roofer file the insurance claim for me?
No. Avoid Assignment of Benefits (AOB) arrangements where the contractor signs your claim and gets paid directly by the insurer. AOB can lead to inflated repair scope, contractor liens if disputes arise, and loss of homeowner control. Pro Build does NOT accept AOB; we coordinate with your adjuster on your behalf with you in the loop.
What's the difference between a roof inspection and a roof estimate?
Inspection: a contractor walks the roof, documents condition, identifies issues. Estimate: a contractor quotes the cost to do specific work. Pro Build's free post-storm inspection includes both — a written assessment of what we found, plus an estimate of repair scope. The inspection alone is valuable even if you use a different contractor.
How much does insurance pay for a roof replacement in MA?
Depends on policy: ACV (Actual Cash Value) policies pay depreciated value (older roofs = less); RCV (Replacement Cost Value) policies pay full replacement cost minus deductible. Most modern MA policies are RCV. Typical claim payout on a 22-year-old asphalt roof with documented storm damage: $14,000-$28,000 minus deductible (typically $1,000-$2,500).
Do I need a public adjuster?
Not for most MA roof claims. Public adjusters charge 10-20% of the settlement and typically only add value on disputed claims, complete-loss claims, or commercial properties. For straightforward residential storm damage claims under $40,000, working directly with the insurer's adjuster (with a contractor's assessment in hand) usually nets the same result.
Can I refuse the insurance company's preferred contractor?
Yes — you have the right to choose your own contractor in Massachusetts. Insurance companies sometimes recommend their preferred contractor network; you're not obligated to use them. Pro Build is not on any insurer's network but we coordinate seamlessly with adjusters from all major MA insurers.
What if my roof is older than my insurance policy's covered age?
Some MA policies have age-based exclusions on roofs older than 20-25 years. The insurer may pay for the storm-caused damage but only at ACV (depreciated value), not RCV. Read your policy declarations page; if age exclusions apply, the practical reality is that storm claims still pay something but at reduced amounts.
Should I get the roof tarped before the adjuster arrives?
Yes for active leaks — emergency mitigation is required by your policy. Document with photos before tarping. Pro Build provides 24/7 emergency tarping for MA homeowners, typically within 4-8 hours of call. The mitigation cost is reimbursable under most policies.
References & Sources
- NOAA Storm Events Database. https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/
- Insurance Information Institute — roof claims guidance. https://www.iii.org/article/how-do-i-file-a-homeowners-claim
- Massachusetts Division of Insurance — homeowner protections. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-insurance
- FEMA — wind/hail damage assessment standards. https://www.fema.gov/
