Reviewed November 2, 2026. Florida property-claim guidance. Coverage and code requirements depend on the policy, the damage, the roof’s history and the applicable permitting rules.
After a hailstorm, visible damage can be a reason to arrange an inspection. It is not a reliable way to decide the full roof scope yourself. Stay off the roof and avoid ladders, broken glass, downed lines and unstable areas.
What you can document safely
- From the ground: displaced roof materials, damaged screens, broken glazing, dents on accessible gutters or metal components, and damage to exterior equipment.
- Inside: new ceiling stains, active leaks or damaged finishes. Photograph the affected rooms and note when the symptoms appeared.
- Your records: the storm date, earlier roof photographs, installation and repair invoices, warranties and any relevant inspection reports.
These observations are clues. Not every crack, dent or granule loss is caused by hail, and not every storm mark affects the function of a roof. A qualified inspector should explain the material, the observed condition and the basis for attributing it to a particular event.
What a professional inspection should address
Ask for photographs tied to identifiable roof areas and a written description of the findings. Depending on the property, the investigation may include roofing materials, flashings, roof-mounted equipment, exterior components and interior moisture. A roofing contractor addresses construction and repair options; an engineer may be appropriate when structural damage or causation requires that expertise.
Do not tap tiles with a mallet, pry shingles or attempt a brittle test. Such actions can cause additional damage and do not establish that hail damaged the roof. Testing should have an appropriate purpose, method and documentation.
When to report a possible claim
Follow the policy’s prompt-notice and loss-protection requirements. The full scope may not be known when the claim is first reported. Keep the claim number, communications and reasonable emergency-repair receipts, and give the insurer an opportunity to inspect when practical without delaying urgent safety measures.
If an estimate allows only a small repair, review its assumptions and material availability. Neither a damaged percentage nor a repairability test automatically establishes full replacement. Read our current Florida roof-rule guide before relying on older advice.
Experienced Public Adjusters can help you organize a hail damage claim and identify questions that need a qualified roofing or engineering opinion. Call (888) 881-8416 to discuss the damage and the documents you have.
Primary references: Florida Statutes §553.844(5), §626.9744 (homeowners’ repair and matching requirements), and the Florida Building Commission.
Concerned about a claim payment?
Experienced Public Adjusters helps Florida property owners document damage and present supported claims, with a focus on luxury homes, complex residential losses, condominium and HOA master policies, and commercial property.
Call (888) 881-8416 Request a claim review
Serving Naples, Tampa, Orlando, Daytona Beach and surrounding communities. Find our offices and service areas.
David Dwyer, designated primary adjuster: Florida license W391016. Experienced Public Adjusters: firm license W807213. Representation is subject to a written agreement; no settlement outcome is guaranteed.