Wind Damage

Proving What the Wind Did

Wind damage is property damage caused by high winds, and wind damage claims require two specific types of documentation: evidence of the wind event itself (NOAA storm reports, local weather station data) and physical evidence of wind-specific failure patterns on the property. It is not enough to photograph a missing shingle and call it wind damage. The carrier will argue it was wear, poor installation, or manufacturer defect. You need NOAA storm reports showing wind speeds, local weather station data timestamped to the date of loss, and physical evidence on the roof that matches known wind damage patterns.

Wind Damage Indicators by Component

Each building component shows wind damage differently. Knowing the specific patterns strengthens your supplement documentation and makes it harder for the carrier to deny the claim.

Component	Wind Damage Indicators	What Carriers Argue Instead
Shingles	Creased tabs, lifted edges, missing tabs, exposed nail heads	"Wear and tear" or "improper installation"
Flashing	Lifted step flashing, bent drip edge, separated wall ties	"Age-related deterioration"
Siding	Loosened panels, cracked corners, blown-off pieces	"Pre-existing condition"
Gutters	Detached from fascia, bent or crushed sections	"Inadequate fastening"
Fencing	Leaning posts, broken pickets, toppled sections	"Rot" or "soil conditions"
Ridge vent	Lifted or torn, exposed nail line	"Improper installation"

Documenting Wind Damage That Survives Carrier Pushback

Photograph the damage pattern, not just the damage. A single missing shingle is weak evidence. Missing shingles on the windward elevation with undamaged shingles on the leeward side tells a story of directional wind impact. Document which direction the prevailing winds came from during the storm event and show how the damage pattern matches.

Take wide shots showing the overall pattern on each elevation, then close-ups of individual damage points. Use chalk circles or markers to highlight specific creases or lifts that do not show clearly in photos. Note the date and address in every photo set.

The HAAG Certification Advantage

HAAG Engineering certification adds significant credibility to wind damage assessments. HAAG-certified inspectors are trained in forensic damage identification and can distinguish between wind damage, hail damage, manufacturing defects, and installation errors. When a HAAG-certified inspector documents wind damage, the adjuster and carrier take the assessment more seriously because the methodology is industry-recognized.

If you are handling a disputed wind damage claim, consider bringing in a HAAG-certified inspector. The cost of the inspection is small compared to the supplement value of proving wind causation on a claim the carrier is trying to deny.

Wind vs. Hail: Why It Matters

On storm damage claims, carriers sometimes try to attribute wind damage to hail or vice versa to avoid coverage. Some policies exclude cosmetic hail damage but cover wind damage, or have different deductibles for wind versus hail events. Accurately identifying the damage type - wind versus hail - determines which coverage applies and which deductible the policyholder owes.