Comprehensive Inspections: What should I expect?

A very important aspect of filing an insurance claim on your home is a comprehensive inspection. This step will verify that you have applicable damage, confirm where it is and what structures were impacted, and give you a good baseline for what to expect your insurance company to cover if they approve the claim. It is recommended that you have a professional assist with this process as some damage can be difficult to spot and document correctly.

So what, exactly, IS a comprehensive inspection? Let’s talk about it.

Comprehensive inspections typically have about 9 points:

1. Shingles.

   This is the portion of the roof visible on the outside. What you are looking for is any storm related damage. In order to do this step properly, you will need to get on the roof and view the damage from all angles. This can look like dents in the shingle from hail, lifting in shingles from wind, or granule loss from heavy storms.

2. Roof Accessories.

   An important piece of the inspection process is thoroughly examining all accessories on the roof for any damage. This can be things like vents, pipes, satellites, flashing, and chimneys. You are looking for denting, bending, or rusting on these items.

3. Gutters.

   You will want to check all angles of your gutters and downspouts, including any gutter guards you may have. What you are looking for is any denting from hail, ice or water damage, or any pieces of the gutters or fasteners that are missing.

4. Siding.

   You will need to check all sides (also called elevations) of your siding to ensure all damage is documented. This would include things like cracking, holes, lifting, and chipping resulting from high winds and hail.

5. Soffit and Fascia.

   Part of the inspection will need to include your soffit and fascia. You are looking for any denting, missing pieces, or obvious damage to the way it is fastened.

6. Additional Structures.

   If you have a detached garage, shed, or workshop on your property covered by your policy, you will want to do a full inspection of the first 5 points on each structure as well.

7. Decking.

   Decking (or sheathing) is the wooden surface used to fasten your shingles to your home securely. Common decking damage is water damage and rot, but it can also be noted if the type of decking currently installed does not comply with current local code. If your insurance policy covers code upgrades, it is worth mentioning any concerns to your insurance adjuster to see what is covered. In order to complete this portion of the inspection, you will need to access your attic and look at the decking from underneath.

8. Ceiling.

   You will want to look in each room in the home to ensure no visible water damage is present. If there is, there may be some interior work needed as well from leaks springing from storm damage.

9. Full Photo Profile.

   This is required by almost every insurance policy. It will include correctly labeled and dated photos of each piece of damage noted on the home and any other structures.

There are lots of types of damage that could result from a storm, so if you are unsure, it is a good idea to take photos of the damage to show your insurance adjuster later. This inspection also needs to include things like the storm date and the type of damage that was sustained. This process is incredibly important before filing an insurance claim and can make a difference in protecting your home long term. Having the assistance of a professional can ease the burden of documenting everything correctly and can ensure your home is left better than before the storm.