After the Storm: 6 Inspection Steps Before You Call Insurance
By Roof Inspection Masters • New Brunswick, NJ
The storm passed. Before you dial your carrier, work this after-storm inspection checklist — the order you do things in affects your claim.
1. Stay safe, stay off the roof
Downed lines, unstable limbs, wet surfaces — storm aftermath is dangerous. All initial assessment happens from the ground.
2. Document from the ground
Date-stamped photos and video of every visible slope, plus yard debris, gutter damage and interior stains. Wide shots establish context; zoom shots capture detail.
3. Mitigate further damage
Tarp openings, move valuables, place buckets. Your policy requires mitigation and reimburses reasonable costs — keep receipts.
4. Get a professional storm inspection
A roofer documents what you cannot see: hail bruising, creased shingles, flashing damage — with test squares and slope-by-slope photos in claim-ready format.
5. Decide about filing
Compare documented damage against your deductible. Filing below-deductible damage creates a claim record for nothing.
6. File with evidence attached
Submit the claim with your inspection documentation included. Evidence-first filing changes the entire adjuster dynamic.
Why It Matters in New Brunswick
New Brunswick averages about 29 inches of snow per winter with February nor'easters, ice dams from freeze-thaw cycles, and humid summers. Snow load, ice damming and wind-driven rain are the big three roof killers here. An inspection catches the small failures — lifted flashing, cracked boots, clogged valleys — before they become interior damage. At $150 to $400, it is the cheapest roofing decision most homeowners ever make.
What Our Inspections Include
Every Roof Inspection Masters inspection covers all roof slopes (on foot or by drone), attic decking and ventilation, flashing and penetrations, and gutters and drainage. You get a photo-documented written report within 24 hours — prioritized findings, remaining-life estimate and honest next steps from certified experts with a decade of roofing experience.
Local Context: New Brunswick, NJ
Historic colonials and Victorians near Rutgers, brick rowhouses downtown, and post-war Capes in the outer wards — a mix where ice dams exploit every weak valley, eave and flashing detail.
Questions About Your Roof?
Call Now — talk to your local licensed expert at (888) 974-0663.
Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Sun: Closed • Our call representatives are available 24/7 for emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mitigate immediately, document within days, inspect within weeks. Formal filing windows run 1–2 years but prompt action is always stronger.
Late-discovered damage is still claimable within your filing window, but expect more scrutiny — another reason for prompt professional inspection.
One thorough independent inspection is enough to start. If the adjuster's findings wildly differ, a second opinion supports your appeal.