Milwaukee sees hailstorms every spring, and homeowners are frequently unsure whether their roof was damaged or just dirty. Here's how Apexium assesses hail damage and what documentation is required for a successful insurance claim.
What Hail Damage Actually Looks Like
On asphalt shingles, hail damage appears as soft, circular bruising — impact points where the hail knocked granules loose and dented the mat underneath. It's not always visible from the ground. A proper hail damage inspection requires getting on the roof and running your hand across the shingle surface to feel for soft spots.
Functional damage — meaning damage that will shorten the roof's lifespan or allow water infiltration — is what insurance pays for. Cosmetic damage (surface marks with no mat penetration) typically isn't covered.
What We Document on Every Milwaukee Inspection
- Hail strike density per 10-square-foot test square
- Direction of storm travel (confirmed by strike pattern)
- Cap flashing strikes (unambiguous damage reference)
- Valley flashing marks
- Age of existing shingles vs. strike evidence
The Insurance Adjuster Visit
Most Wisconsin homeowner policies require a field adjuster inspection before approving a claim. Apexium can be present for your adjuster visit — we've done this hundreds of times and understand how to walk adjusters through the damage evidence. This isn't adversarial; adjusters want clear documentation and we provide it.
After the Storm
Milwaukee hailstorms typically produce a wave of contractors from out of state — many without Wisconsin licenses — working neighborhoods door-to-door in the days after a storm. Wait for a contractor you've verified before filing a claim. An inflated or inaccurate claim creates problems for your policy, not just the insurance company.
Contact Apexium for a free post-storm inspection. We'll tell you honestly if there's a legitimate claim to file.
Have a specific question about your Milwaukee roof? We answer directly.