Northwest Arkansas roofs take a beating. With repeated spring hailstorms across Benton and Washington counties, many homes have had more than one roof claim, and carriers look closely at storm dates and prior damage.
Establish the storm date
Note the date and time of the storm and save any weather alerts you received. Hail reports from the National Weather Service and hail-mapping services can support the date. Photos of hail on the ground, with something for scale, are valuable.
Document collateral damage
Before anyone climbs the roof, photograph dents on gutters, downspouts, mailboxes, AC fins, window wraps and painted surfaces. These marks help show the storm’s size and direction.
Test squares on every slope
A roofer or appraiser marks a 10-by-10-foot square on each slope and counts and photographs the hits. Hail damage varies by direction, so slopes facing the storm usually show more.
Photos that work
- Wide shots showing each slope, then close-ups of individual hits with a chalk circle and a scale.
- Close-ups that show fractured mats or exposed fiberglass, not just missing granules.
- Photos of the shingle brand and model if visible, and any discontinued-product evidence.
Prior repairs and old damage
If your roof was repaired or replaced after an earlier storm, keep those invoices. They help separate new damage from old and establish the roof’s age for depreciation.
Use our roof pitch and squares calculator to check that the estimate’s quantities match your roof.
General information, not legal advice. Policy wording and Arkansas law control.
Keep reading
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