After a storm, the hard part is not finding something on the roof — it is telling real storm damage apart from ordinary age and wear. That distinction is exactly what decides an insurance claim, and it is what a trained inspection (and clear aerial photos) is for.
What does hail damage actually look like?
True hail damage shows up as random, soft bruises in the shingle mat — spots where granules are knocked away and the surface feels soft or fractured — along with dents on soft metals like vents, gutters, and downspouts. The pattern is random and often has a directional bias (one slope hit harder than another). Key indicators a trained inspector looks for:
- Round bruises with granule loss, where the mat underneath is soft or cracked.
- Dents and spatter marks on metal vents, vent caps, gutters, downspouts, and flashing.
- A random, non-patterned distribution — hail does not fall in straight lines.
- Consistency with the size and direction of an actual storm.
What does wind damage look like?
Wind damage shows up as creased, lifted, folded, or missing shingles, and as laminated tabs that have broken their seal — usually in a directional pattern matching the storm. A shingle can look fine lying flat but have a crease across it that will fail later. Missing shingles, exposed nail heads, and unsealed tabs along a rake or ridge are classic wind signatures.
What is NOT storm damage (and why it matters)
This is where claims are won or lost. Several things look like damage but are not caused by a storm:
- Granule loss from age — normal weathering over years, not a single event.
- Blistering — little bubbles in the mat, often manufacturing- or ventilation-related, not impact.
- Mechanical / foot-traffic marks — scuffs from people walking the roof.
- Manufacturing defects — a product issue, handled under warranty, not a claim.
The recognized U.S. standard for drawing these lines is Haag Engineering's Haag Certified Inspector program (residential and wind-damage tracks), which trains inspectors and adjusters in the mechanisms of damage — so a hail bruise is not confused with a manufacturing blister, and wind uplift is not confused with an installation error. When an assessment is grounded in that kind of standard, its conclusions hold up.
Why dates and weather data matter
Damage is far more credible when it matches a real, dated event. Pull the storm date and hail/wind reports for your area from the National Weather Service (weather.gov) and NOAA's Storm Events Database, and photograph everything with timestamps. Tying visible damage to a documented storm is what lets an adjuster connect cause and effect.
How does a drone inspection document all this?
A drone captures high-resolution, repeatable, timestamped imagery of every slope — including steep or fragile roofs that are unsafe to walk — and it does it without putting a ladder against your house. That makes the evidence clearer and easier to share with an insurer. The honest limit: a drone does not replace a hands-on assessment in every case — confirming a soft hail bruise or a broken seal sometimes still needs a trained inspector on the roof. The best documentation pairs aerial imagery with a close-up, standards-based assessment.
The FAA rules, in plain terms
This part trips up a lot of homeowners, so here is the clean version:
- A roofer flying a drone for an inspection, estimate, or marketing is doing commercial work and needs an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (14 CFR Part 107, the “Small UAS Rule”). Part 107 is the default for any business use.
- A homeowner flying their own drone purely for fun over their own property falls under the recreational exception (49 U.S.C. § 44809): pass the free TRUST test, register the drone if it is 250 g or heavier ($5), comply with Remote ID if it must be registered, stay at or below 400 ft in uncontrolled airspace, keep it in visual line of sight, and yield to manned aircraft. The moment there is any business purpose, Part 107 applies instead.
That is why hiring a Part 107 operator for storm documentation matters: the imagery is captured legally and professionally. Blue Raider's drone-assisted inspections are flown under Part 107.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just fly my own drone to check my roof?
For your own personal use, yes — under the recreational rules above (TRUST test, registration at 250 g+, Remote ID, 400 ft, line of sight). But the photos a homeowner takes for fun are not a substitute for a documented, standards-based inspection if you intend to file a claim.
Does drone footage guarantee my claim is approved?
No. It strengthens your documentation, but approval depends on your policy and the adjuster's assessment. Clear, dated evidence simply makes the conversation fairer.
How soon after a storm should I get inspected?
Soon — while the weather event is fresh and documented, and before small leaks become interior damage. See our storm & hail damage page for what to do first, and our guide on spotting a storm chaser so you are not rushed into a bad contract.
The honest takeaway
Finding marks on a roof is easy. Proving they are storm damage — tied to a real event and assessed against a recognized standard — is what actually helps you. If your neighborhood was hit, we will fly a Part 107 free inspection, document what we find honestly, and help you understand your insurance claim either way.
Sources & standards referenced
- Haag Engineering / Haag Certified Inspector (HCI, residential & wind tracks) — forensic hail/wind damage assessment: haagglobal.com.
- FAA — commercial drone operations under 14 CFR Part 107: faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators; recreational exception (49 U.S.C. § 44809), TRUST, registration & Remote ID: faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers.
- Storm/weather records: National Weather Service weather.gov and NOAA Storm Events Database.
This guide is homeowner education, not legal or insurance advice. Drone operations must follow current FAA rules, airspace restrictions, and Remote ID requirements. Whether and how to file an insurance claim is your decision and depends on your policy.