Your insurance company looked at your roof and decided the damage came from age, not the storm. Here's what that really means, why it happens so often, and how to find out if they got it right.
Almost every property policy has a section listing what it will not pay for. One of those items is damage caused by wear and tear: the slow, expected breakdown of materials from sun, heat, rain, and time.
The idea is fair on its face. Insurance pays for sudden, accidental loss. It is not a maintenance plan or a warranty, so a roof that is simply worn out is the owner's responsibility.
The trouble starts when a storm hits a roof that is not brand new. The adjuster or the insurer's engineer may point to age-related wear and conclude the storm did nothing. That's when you get a letter that says your claim is denied.
They can look alike from the ground. Up close, trained inspectors look for patterns. Here's what typically separates the two on an asphalt shingle roof.
| What we check | Usually wear and tear | Usually storm damage |
|---|---|---|
| Granule loss | Even thinning across a whole slope, worst on the sunny sides | Random, round spots where granules were knocked off, exposing dark asphalt |
| Shingle surface | Blistering, cracking from heat, curling or cupping edges | Soft "bruises" that give under a finger, with fractures in the mat underneath |
| Pattern | Same condition everywhere, building over years | Scattered hits, often heavier on the slopes that faced the storm |
| Wind | Old, brittle shingles and failed seal strips | Creased or lifted tabs, torn shingles, missing pieces after a known wind event |
| Metal & other items | Rust and fading | Fresh dents on vents, gutters, flashing, AC fins, and other soft metals |
| Timing | No clear start date | Lines up with a storm date backed by weather and hail reports |
Many roofs show both. That's normal. An aging roof can still take real hail or wind damage, and that's exactly where wear and tear denials get disputed most.
Any roof more than a few years old has some granule loss and weathering. That makes "wear and tear" an easy explanation to reach for, even when storm damage is sitting right next to it.
After a big storm, adjusters are covering hundreds of claims. Small hail bruises, hits on flat roofs, and damage to metal parts are easy to overlook on a fast walk-through.
If there are no photos or reports from before the storm, it's hard to show what changed. Without that, the insurer's version is often the only version on file.
An old roof can still be a storm-damaged roof.
Wear and tear exclusions are meant for damage caused only by age. In many states, when a covered storm also caused damage, that storm damage can still be covered, even if the roof had wear before. How this works depends on your policy wording and your state.
Recent policy changes in some states also matter. Some newer policies pay roofs on an age-based schedule, which is different from a denial. Your declarations page and roof endorsements spell out which applies to you.
A denial letter is not always the last word. These steps help you understand the decision and make sure the facts are on the record.
Ask for the denial letter and the exact policy language they relied on. Also ask for the adjuster's photos and any engineer's report.
Note whether they said there was no storm damage at all, or that damage exists but is old. Those are different conclusions.
Policies set time limits for reporting damage and responding to decisions. Write down every date you find.
Have experienced roofing pros inspect the full roof system, metals, and flat sections, and photograph what they find.
Storm dates, hail and wind reports, neighbors' claims, and any older photos of your roof all help show what changed.
For policy or legal questions, your state's Department of Insurance or an attorney can explain your options.
SkyView is a team of roofing experts with 25+ years of hands-on experience in storm damage and insurance restoration, working alongside engineers, consultants, and roofing experts nationwide.
We take the time to inspect your entire roofing system, separate true wear from storm damage, and document what we find with photos and a written report. If there's storm damage, we can show it to anyone who asks. If there isn't, we'll tell you that too.
No. Age alone doesn't stop hail or wind from damaging a roof. The question is whether the storm caused damage, not whether the roof was new. Your policy may handle older roofs differently, so check your declarations page and any roof endorsements.
No. A denial says the storm didn't cause covered damage. Depreciation is a reduced payment on damage the insurer agrees is covered, based on age. Some newer policies also pay roofs on an age-based schedule. Each one is a different situation.
Most insurers allow you to ask for a re-inspection or to submit more information. Ask your insurer what their process is and what deadlines apply. New photos and a detailed inspection report give them something new to review.
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.
Get your roof inspected and documented now, while it's in good shape, and after major storms. A dated report and photos give you a clear "before" picture if you ever need to file a claim.
This page is general information about roofing and insurance claims, not legal or insurance advice. Policies, endorsements, and state laws differ and change over time. SkyView is not a contractor, public adjuster or law firm. For questions about your policy, contact your insurance company; for legal questions, contact an attorney or your state's Department of Insurance.
