Three roofs, three kinds of argument
A drive across West Virginia shows why roof claims here are hard to standardize. Standing-seam and corrugated metal covers barns and rural homes in the Potomac Highlands and Greenbrier Valley. Slate tops historic houses and churches in Wheeling, Parkersburg, Charleston and Lewisburg. Architectural asphalt shingles dominate newer neighborhoods in Martinsburg, Morgantown and the suburbs of Huntington. Many roofs are steep, and many sit on lots where a lift or scaffolding is hard to place.
What a roof and hail claim appraiser in WV checks
We climb, measure and photograph the roof ourselves, slope by slope. We record pitch, layers, valleys, penetrations, flashing details and accessories, and we compare our findings to the carrier’s diagram. Measurement errors alone can account for a large share of a roofing dispute. Our roof square and pitch estimator gives you a rough check before we arrive.
Metal roofs
- Whether hail dents are “cosmetic” or functional, and how the policy treats cosmetic damage. Some forms exclude it by endorsement, so check your policy.
- Panel profiles that are no longer made, making seamless repair difficult.
- Trim, ridge cap and fastener replacement left off the estimate.
Slate roofs
- Spot repair versus section replacement when broken slates are scattered across a slope.
- Sourcing salvaged or new slate that reasonably matches size, color and thickness.
- Specialty labor rates for slaters, who are scarce in rural counties.
- Copper or lead flashing that cannot be reused after disturbance.
Asphalt shingles
- Test-square counts and how hail or wind creasing was identified.
- Discontinued shingle lines and whether a uniform appearance is achievable.
- Starter, drip edge, ice barrier and steep or high-roof labor charges.
Hail and wind in the Mountain State
Hail here is less frequent than on the plains, but strong spring and summer storms do produce it, especially in the Ohio Valley, the Northern Panhandle and the Eastern Panhandle. Wind is the bigger roof threat statewide. Severe thunderstorms, the 2012 derecho and remnant tropical systems have all peeled shingles, lifted metal panels and dropped trees through roof decks. Our wind and derecho page covers those claims in more detail.
Deductibles and depreciation
Some policies apply a percentage deductible to wind or hail losses, and many apply depreciation to older roofs or settle roof losses on an actual cash value schedule. Before appraisal, it helps to know how much of the dispute is scope and price versus terms the panel cannot change. The percentage deductible checker can show how a deductible affects the payout.
Documentation that helps
- Date-stamped photos of the roof and gutters soon after the storm.
- Notes on storm date and time, plus local news or weather reports.
- Any prior inspection or installation records showing the roof’s condition and age.
- Interior photos of leaks, stains and attic decking.
Older roofs deserve extra care in the record. If your slate or metal roof was in sound shape before the storm, say so with photos, receipts or a prior inspection, because age is the first argument many carriers raise. A roof that has protected a Greenbrier Valley farmhouse for decades may still have had years of useful life left, and depreciation should reflect its actual condition, not just a birth date.
Questions about this service
Are dents on a metal roof covered if it doesn’t leak?
It depends on the policy. Some forms cover cosmetic hail damage and some exclude it by endorsement. Read your declarations and endorsements, and get the exclusion language in writing if the carrier relies on it.
Can appraisal decide whether my slate roof should be replaced instead of repaired?
Repair versus replacement is often treated as part of the amount of loss, so it can come before the panel. Coverage limits or exclusions are still separate questions.
How do you measure a roof that is too steep to walk?
We use harnesses and roof jacks where safe, and supplement with ladder-edge measurements, aerial imagery and photos. The method depends on the roof and conditions on site.