Our team has spent 25+ years on large-loss commercial roofs, working alongside engineers, consultants, adjusters and roofing experts nationwide. Here's what to expect, in plain English.
The policy information on this page (deductibles, coinsurance, roof valuation, ordinance or law, business income and deadlines) is general education. SkyView Restoration Group is not a contractor, public adjuster or law firm. We don't adjust or negotiate claims. We share this so building owners understand what they're walking into.
None of these make a claim bad. They make it bigger, slower and more technical, which is why the details matter from day one.
An apartment complex, school district, church campus, shopping center or industrial park can have dozens of roofs. Each one has its own age, system, condition and damage.
We doMap every building and roof section, then document each one separately so nothing is lumped together or left out.
TPO, PVC, EPDM, modified bitumen, built-up, metal, coatings and steep-slope sections can all be on one property. Hail and wind affect each one differently.
We doInspect each system the way it needs to be inspected, including test cuts and moisture surveys on flat roofs.
Large losses are often handled by a senior or large-loss adjuster, with engineers and building consultants hired to give opinions on cause and scope.
We doMeet them on the roof, show exactly what we found and answer questions about the roof from anyone who asks.
Many commercial policies use a wind or hail deductible that's a percentage of each damaged building's insured value, not a flat amount. The deductible can be larger than a house's whole roof.
KnowYour declarations page shows which deductible applies. See the worked example below.
Commercial policies can carry a coinsurance clause, roof surfacing paid at actual cash value instead of replacement cost, or an exclusion for "cosmetic" wind or hail damage.
KnowThese terms live in endorsements. Read them before the storm, not after.
Replacing a commercial roof can trigger current insulation, fire-rating and wind-uplift requirements. Wet roofs generally can't be covered over. Code costs need their own coverage.
We doCheck what code will require on your building so the scope is complete and buildable.
Leaks can shut down units, classrooms, inventory and equipment. Work has to be phased around tenants, safety and schedules. Claims on this scale take longer, and commercial policies have their own notice and paperwork deadlines. If you carry business income coverage, lost rent or income may be part of the claim too, often after a waiting period.
We doStop active leaks first, then plan the work in phases so the property keeps running. Report damage early so the clock works for you, not against you.
On a big commercial roof, code requirements can add a lot to the cost of the job. Standard property policies generally don't pay to bring a building up to code unless you carry ordinance or law coverage.
| Code item | What it can require | Why it matters on a claim |
|---|---|---|
| Energy code insulation | When a low-slope roof with insulation above the deck is replaced, many jurisdictions require insulation that meets the current energy code (IECC), not what was there before. | Thicker insulation can mean taller edges, raised curbs, new flashing and more labor. It belongs in the scope. |
| Re-cover limits | Codes generally don't allow a new roof over an existing roof that's water-soaked, deteriorated, or already has two layers. | A "re-cover" estimate may not be legal if testing shows wet insulation. Tear-off to the deck may be required. |
| Fire & wind ratings | Roof assemblies are rated as a complete tested system: membrane, cover board, insulation, fasteners and deck. | Mixing parts or patching with the wrong materials can take a roof out of its rating. |
| Local amendments | Cities and counties adopt and amend codes differently, and the building official has the final word. | The same roof can have different requirements in two different towns. |
Every claim is different, but most large losses move through these stages. Red marks the steps where our team does the work.
Tarping, temporary repairs and water removal so the building and tenants are protected.
The owner notifies the insurer promptly. Policies require prompt notice, and late notice can cause problems.
Every building and roof: photos, drone, moisture surveys, core cuts, storm data and measurements.
The adjuster, engineers and consultants inspect. We meet them on the roof and show what we found.
A line-by-line scope per building, including code items and what it really takes to build it right.
Work planned around tenants, schedules and safety, with a roof system built to last.
SkyView is a team of roofing experts with 25+ years of hands-on experience in storm damage and insurance restoration, from single buildings to entire portfolios.
We've worked every side of large commercial losses alongside engineers, consultants, attorneys, public adjusters, carriers and roofing experts nationwide. We take the time to document storm damage the right way, building by building, so it can be proven to anyone who asks. And if a roof isn't damaged, we'll tell you that too.
There's no single number. Insurers often send claims to large-loss or specialized adjusters once they pass an internal dollar threshold, involve several buildings, or need engineering. In practice, if it's more than one building or a big flat roof, plan on it being handled like a large loss.
On large claims, insurers often hire engineers or building consultants to give an opinion on what caused the damage and what it will take to fix. That's normal. It's also why your own documentation, done carefully and backed by testing, matters so much.
No. Each building and roof is looked at on its own. That's why we document every building separately, including the ones that came out fine.
Often yes. Hidden damage on flat roofs, especially wet insulation, gets worse and more expensive over time. Our assessment is free, and knowing the real condition of your roofs helps you plan either way.
Emergency work to stop leaks and protect the building should happen right away, and policies generally expect owners to prevent further damage. Keep records and photos of that work. Permanent replacement normally waits until the scope is agreed.
No. SkyView is not a public adjuster or law firm. We inspect, document and write the repair scope, and meet the adjuster on the construction scope. All construction is performed by licensed Approved Contractors. You may hire any licensed public adjuster or attorney, or none.
