Storm Damage & Roof Insurance Claims Glossary

A

Actual Cash Value (ACV): How some insurance policies pay out for an older roof: replacement cost minus depreciation for age and wear. An ACV settlement on a 15-year-old roof can cover only a fraction of what replacement actually costs — which is why many homeowners upgrade to RCV (Replacement Cost Value) coverage and why understanding the difference matters before you file a claim.
Adjuster (insurance adjuster): The insurance company representative who inspects your roof after a storm and decides what the policy will pay. Their written estimate — called a scope of loss — sets the initial claim amount. You can challenge the findings, request a re-inspection, or hire a public adjuster to represent you if you believe the settlement is too low.
Assignment of Benefits (AOB): A document that transfers your right to collect the insurance payout directly to a third party — typically the roofing contractor. Once signed, the contractor manages the claim and receives payment from the insurer. AOB arrangements are heavily regulated or prohibited in some states because they limit the homeowner's control over their own claim.

C

Claim supplement: A formal request to reopen or increase an approved insurance claim when additional damage is discovered after the original settlement — for example, rotted decking found during tear-off that the adjuster missed. Storm-restoration contractors routinely file supplements on behalf of homeowners; the carrier is obligated to review legitimate supplemental damage.
Coverage dispute: A disagreement between you and your insurer about whether specific damage is covered, how much it's worth, or whether the damage was caused by a covered storm event versus pre-existing wear. Options for resolving disputes include re-inspection, appraisal (arbitration), hiring a public adjuster, or filing a complaint with your state insurance commissioner.

D

Depreciation (roof): The reduction in a roof's insured value based on its age and condition. Insurers typically depreciate asphalt shingle roofs at 3–5% per year. A 15-year-old roof with $20,000 replacement cost might be depreciated to $8,000–$11,000 in an ACV payout. With RCV coverage, the withheld depreciation is released after the repair is completed.
Dwelling coverage: The part of your homeowners insurance policy (Coverage A) that pays to repair or rebuild the structure of your home — including the roof — after a covered loss. Storm deductibles are almost always calculated as a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit, not the cost of the claim.

F

Functional damage vs. cosmetic damage: The distinction insurers draw between storm damage that affects the roof's ability to protect the home (functional — usually covered) and damage that only affects appearance (cosmetic — often excluded or subject to a cosmetic exclusion rider). Hail dents on metal trim may be cosmetic; granule loss from hail that exposes the fiberglass mat is functional.

G

Granule loss: When the ceramic granules coating asphalt shingles are knocked off by hail impact or displaced by wind-driven debris. Granule loss accelerates UV degradation of the underlying fiberglass mat, shortening the roof's life. Adjusters use granule loss — particularly fresh, circular impact craters in gutters and on shingles — as a primary indicator of hail damage.

H

Hail bruising: Soft spots on asphalt shingles where hail has compressed the mat and fractured the fiberglass beneath, even without making a visible hole. Adjusters check for bruising by pressing with a thumb — a bruised shingle feels spongy compared to an undamaged one nearby. Bruising weakens the shingle's structural integrity and is a covered damage indicator.
Hail size threshold: The minimum hailstone diameter at which an insurer will typically acknowledge functional damage to an asphalt roof — commonly 1 inch (quarter-size) for standard shingles. Smaller hail may still cause granule loss, but carriers often classify it as cosmetic. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles raise the practical threshold significantly.

I

Ice-and-water shield: A self-adhesive rubberized membrane installed along eaves, valleys, and around roof penetrations to prevent water infiltration from ice dams or wind-driven rain. Required by code at eaves in most cold climates. During storm-damage repairs, insurers typically require it to be replaced along with damaged shingles in affected areas.
Impact-resistant shingle (Class 4): An asphalt shingle rated UL 2218 Class 4 — the highest impact classification, tested by dropping a 2-inch steel ball to simulate hail. Resists damage from hailstones up to approximately 1.75 inches in diameter. Many insurance carriers offer 5–25% premium discounts for Class 4 shingles in hail-prone states, and replacing a damaged roof with Class 4 shingles can lower future premiums.
Insurance appraisal (appraisal clause): A binding dispute-resolution process available under most homeowners policies when you and your insurer disagree on the value of a claim. Each side hires an independent appraiser; they appoint an umpire. Two of the three must agree for the award to be binding. The appraisal clause addresses amount of loss only — not coverage disputes.

M

Matching (like-kind and quality): The principle that insurance repairs must match the undamaged portions of the roof in appearance and quality. If only one slope is damaged but the undamaged slopes use a discontinued shingle color, "matching" may require replacing the entire roof or all visible slopes. Several states have matching statutes; coverage varies significantly by policy and state.
Mitigation (emergency tarping): The steps a homeowner must take immediately after storm damage to prevent further loss — primarily covering open areas with tarps. Most homeowners policies require "reasonable mitigation efforts" as a condition of coverage. Costs for emergency tarping and boarding are typically reimbursable under the claim. Failure to mitigate can reduce your payout.

N

Notice of loss: The formal notification to your insurance company that a covered event has occurred. Most policies require you to provide notice "as soon as practicable" after the storm. Delayed filing can complicate or reduce your claim, especially if waiting allows secondary damage to develop. Filing promptly does not obligate you to accept the insurer's initial offer.

O

Ordinance or law coverage: An optional policy endorsement that pays the increased cost of bringing a roof up to current building code during a storm repair — for example, adding required ice-and-water shield or upgrading to a higher wind-rated shingle. Without this coverage, code-upgrade costs come out of your pocket even on an otherwise fully covered claim.

P

Policy deductible: The amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance pays on a roof claim. Standard deductibles are a flat dollar amount ($1,000–$2,500). Many policies in hail or hurricane-prone states carry a separate wind/hail deductible — typically 1–5% of dwelling coverage — which can exceed $5,000–$15,000 on higher-value homes.
Public adjuster: A licensed claims professional you hire to represent your interests — not your insurer's — in the claims process. Public adjusters typically charge 10–15% of the final settlement. They re-inspect the damage, challenge low estimates, and negotiate with the carrier. Most effective on complex claims or when an initial settlement is disputed.

R

Recoverable depreciation: The portion of a depreciation holdback that your insurer releases after you complete the repair and submit proof of completion — specific to RCV policies. For example, if your insurer initially pays $11,000 (ACV) on a $16,000 repair and withholds $5,000 in depreciation, you recover that $5,000 after submitting the contractor's final invoice.
Replacement Cost Value (RCV): How insurance pays on a policy with full replacement coverage: the actual cost to replace the damaged roof with like-kind materials, without deducting for age. Typically paid in two installments — an initial ACV payment at claim approval, then the withheld depreciation ("recoverable depreciation") released once the completed repair is verified.
Roof certification (4-point inspection): An inspection report — typically required by insurance carriers when insuring older homes — assessing the roof's condition, age, and remaining useful life. After a storm repair, a fresh certification can help restore or obtain coverage and may affect your premium. Storm-restoration contractors often facilitate certifications as part of post-repair documentation.

S

Scope of loss: The adjuster's written itemization of all documented damage and the estimated cost to repair it — the document that drives your claim payment. Contractors often compare the scope of loss against their own damage assessment; discrepancies between the two are the starting point for supplement requests.
Storm chaser (roofing): An out-of-region roofing crew that follows weather events and canvasses neighborhoods door-to-door after a major hail or wind event. Some storm chasers do legitimate work, but many lack local licensing, set up temporary operations, and leave before warranty claims arise. Homeowners should verify state licensing and physical address before signing any storm-chaser contract.
Storm restoration contractor: A roofing contractor that specializes in insurance-claim repairs, experienced in documenting storm damage, communicating with adjusters, filing supplement requests, and meeting carrier documentation requirements. Distinct from general roofers who primarily do cash-pay replacement projects; their process is built around the insurance workflow.
Subrogation: The right of your insurance company to pursue a third party that caused your loss — for example, a tree-trimming company that failed to remove a hazardous limb. After paying your claim, the insurer can sue the responsible party to recover what it paid. As the insured, you're generally required not to release a negligent third party from liability before subrogation is resolved.

U

Underlayment: The waterproof layer installed on the roof deck before shingles go on. Traditionally asphalt-saturated felt; modern installations use synthetic underlayment, which is lighter and more tear-resistant. When storm damage requires shingle replacement, insurers typically include underlayment replacement in the covered scope — verify it is itemized in the adjuster's estimate.

W

Wind deductible: A separate, higher deductible applied specifically to wind and hail claims — common in Gulf Coast, Atlantic, and Midwest states where storm losses are frequent. Often expressed as 1–5% of dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. A $400,000 home with a 2% wind deductible means you pay the first $8,000 out of pocket on any wind or hail claim.
Wind mitigation inspection: An inspection that documents construction features — roof shape, deck attachment method, roof covering type, and opening protection — that reduce a home's vulnerability to hurricane or high-wind damage. In Florida and several other states, a favorable wind mitigation report can reduce homeowners insurance premiums by 20–40%. Class 4 shingles and hip roofs typically score well.
Wind uplift: The aerodynamic force that lifts shingles from the roof surface during high winds, breaking the sealant bond and peeling them back from edges, corners, and rakes — the zones of highest wind pressure. Wind uplift is the primary mechanism behind storm-related shingle loss and is why edge nailing, starter strips, and shingle wind ratings matter for storm resilience.

X

Xactimate: The industry-standard estimating software used by most insurance adjusters and storm-restoration contractors to price repair scopes. Line-item pricing is based on regional cost databases updated quarterly. Familiarity with Xactimate line items and pricing — especially what's typically omitted from a first-pass adjuster estimate — is a key skill for supplement-filing contractors.