Wind Damage Roof — Shingle Replacement Was Written Incorrectly

This was part of a wind damage roof where multiple facets were affected and the insurance company agreed to replace the entire roof. The issue wasn’t approval — it was the estimate. On paper, the adjuster wrote for removing and replacing shingles and included a dumpster, but even the one item that was written — the shingles — was not properly defined.

The Situation

The roof was being fully replaced due to wind damage.

This means:

• the entire roofing surface was being removed

• and a new roofing system was being installed

The shingles are the visible layer, but they still need to be specified correctly.

What Was Written

The adjuster initially wrote for:

• remove and replace shingles

There was no clarification on:

• type of shingle

• quality of material

• wind rating

• or system compatibility

What Was Missed

The shingle specification was incomplete.

There was no distinction between:

• 3-tab shingles (lighter, flat design)

• architectural shingles (thicker, dimensional)

And no reference to:

• wind rating

• lifespan

• material quality

These are not small details.

👉 They directly affect performance, durability, and cost

What Most People Miss

Not all shingles are the same.

👉 They are not interchangeable materials

Differences include:

• thickness

• weight

• wind resistance

• lifespan

Architectural shingles:

• are thicker

• more durable

• better in wind conditions

3-tab shingles:

• are lighter

• more prone to wind damage

• typically shorter lifespan

So if the existing roof had a certain type:

👉 the replacement should match that quality

This is part of proper restoration.

Why This Matters

If the estimate just says:

👉 “replace shingles”

That leaves too much open.

Because now:

• the material can be downgraded

• the system may not match what was there

• and performance can be affected

This happens all the time.

Because shingles are visible, people assume:
👉 “they covered it”

But without specification:

👉 the scope is incomplete

What Changed the Outcome

Once it was explained:

• that shingles must be specified properly

• that not all shingles are the same

• and that the replacement must match the existing system

👉 the correct material was identified and approved

What Homeowners Should Look For

If your roof is being replaced, check your estimate for:

• type of shingle (3-tab vs architectural)

• manufacturer or equivalent quality

• wind rating (if applicable)

• any notes about matching existing materials

If it just says:

👉 “replace shingles”

That’s not enough.

Takeaway

Shingles are the most visible part of the roof.

But that doesn’t mean they’re simple.

👉 they must be specified correctly

Otherwise:

👉 you don’t know what you’re actually getting

And this is where it goes wrong.

One Last Thing (What Everything Comes Down To)

Everything comes down to the estimate.

If your claim is delayed, underpaid, or being pushed back, that’s usually the reason.

If you’re not finding a clear answer to your situation here, go through the other case studies. Most real-world claim problems — and how they were handled — are already shown there.

And if your estimate is in good shape, the other issues tend to be straightforward to push through.

To understand why this happens and how to fix it, review the following:

Why Insurance Claims Get Delayed (It Comes Down to the Estimate): The Real Reason Claims Get Delayed
The Entire Insurance Industry Runs on One Thing That’s Rarely Explained: It’s the Estimate — And This Is Why Contractors Get It Wrong: Contractors Don’t Fail at Building — They Fail at Writing
The Entire Insurance Industry Runs on One Thing That’s Rarely Explained: It’s the Estimate — And This Is Why Adjusters Rewrite Instead of Approving: Adjusters Don’t Approve What They Can’t Follow
The Entire Insurance Industry Runs on One Thing That’s Rarely Explained: It’s the Estimate — And This Is What It Should Look Like: A Proper Estimate Is Not Just a Number

How to Read an Insurance Estimate (Room by Room): Why Most Homeowners Feel Confused by Estimates

How to Vet a Contractor, Public Adjuster, and Mitigation Company: Why This Matters More Than Anything Else

If you still have questions about your claim, visit our Homeowners Insurance Claim FAQs page for quick answers and links to detailed guides.

Learn More At ClaimHelpMe.com

This page explains the basics of how this part of the insurance claim process works.

However, inside ClaimHelpMe.com, homeowners can access real repair estimates, detailed examples, and step-by-step explanations showing how claims are documented, evaluated, and presented to insurance carriers.

The free content explains the fundamentals.
The ClaimHelpMe platform shows how the process actually works.

Explore more homeowner insurance claim guides in our Claim Guides section.

About The Author

Mark Grossman is a Licensed Public Adjuster and NASCLA Certified Contractor with 28 years in the restoration insurance industry and 35 years in construction.

Learn more → Mark Grossman