Insurance Claims

Wind and hailstorms can cause significant damage in minutes, but much of that damage goes unseen until it becomes a costly problem. Shingles may lift or crack, siding can fracture, and roofing materials can suffer impact bruising that shortens their lifespan. Left unrepaired, these issues lead to leaks, structural deterioration, and reduced property value.

At Haystack Claims, we dig deeper than the surface, documenting every loss and building a claim that reflects the true cost to restore your property—not just the insurer’s “quick fix” estimate.

 Wind Damage

High winds can tear off shingles, bend or detach flashing, push water under roofing, damage gutters, and break fencing. Flying debris can impact siding, windows, and exterior equipment. Even when there’s no immediate leak, wind can weaken a roof system so it fails prematurely—a condition carriers often try to pass off as “wear and tear” unless properly documented.

 Hail Damage – One of the Most Disputed Claim     Types

    Hail damage is among the most contested losses in property insurance. Carriers frequently call it “cosmetic” or claim that the impacts      don’t impair the roof’s ability to function. In reality, hail strikes can:

•  Fracture the protective granules on asphalt shingles, exposing the mat to UV and water damage

•  Leave bruises that compromise the shingle’s waterproofing, leading to hidden leaks

•  Dent and weaken metal panels, flashing, gutters, and downspouts

•  Crack skylights, break seals on insulated glass, or damage window frames

•  Mar coatings on siding, decks, and painted surfaces

•  Damage HVAC units, vents, and rooftop equipment

  Why Hail Damage Gets Missed or Denied

• Overreliance on Ladder Assist Companies: Ladder assist firms send techs to take photos for the carrier’s adjuster, but these workers typically have no authority to make coverage decisions. Their role is to provide limited images—often without context, slope-by-slope detail, or close-up proof of hail impacts—leaving the carrier with an incomplete damage record.

• Limited Inspections: Some adjusters never walk the roof at all, inspecting only from the ground or a ladder at the eaves. Impact bruising and granule loss can’t be identified this way.

• Weather Map Arguments: Carriers sometimes point to storm history reports claiming “no hail occurred at your address,” ignoring the fact that hail damage can be highly localized and vary from property to property.

• Cosmetic-Only Denials: Damage to metal roofs, siding, and gutters is often dismissed as “appearance only,” even though dents and coating loss can reduce lifespan, void warranties, and lower property value.

• Patch Repairs Instead of Full Replacement: Even when hail damage is confirmed, carriers often approve only spot repairs, ignoring manufacturer installation specs that require full-system replacement for warranty compliance.

 Our Approach

    Haystack Claims ensures no part of your hail or wind loss gets overlooked:

• Full walk-over inspections on every slope, every surface

• Detailed photographic and video documentation of each strike or crease

• Use of manufacturer guidelines to prove replacement requirements

• Inclusion of interior water damage, insulation loss, and HVAC damage caused by the storm

• Comprehensive cost estimates in Xactimate or Symbility to match carrier standards but reflect the true repair cost

Wind and hail damage may be subtle, but the cost of ignoring it is not. With Haystack Claims as your advocate, you get the inspection thoroughness, technical documentation, and negotiation leverage to secure the settlement you deserve.