Your Roof
Has Storm Damage.
Here's What to Do.
Generations Roofing & Remodeling inspects Milwaukee and Waukesha County roofs, documents storm damage with photographs and measurements, and provides the accurate written estimates your insurance company needs to evaluate your claim. No pressure. No obligation. Just honest work.
How Generations Helps With Your Claim
We're not insurance adjusters — we're the licensed roofing experts who give you the documentation and estimates you need to go into that conversation prepared.
Professional Damage Documentation
We walk your roof, photograph every area of concern with high-resolution dated images, measure affected sections, and identify storm-related damage versus normal wear. You receive a report your insurer can evaluate against your policy.
Accurate Written Estimates
A complete line-item repair or replacement estimate using current Milwaukee-area material and labor pricing. Your adjuster compares their scope against real numbers from a local licensed contractor — not a national average database.
On-Site Adjuster Coordination
With your express written consent, a Generations representative can be present when your insurance adjuster inspects the roof. We can point out what we found, answer the adjuster's questions about materials, and make sure nothing is overlooked.
What We Can & Cannot Do Under Wisconsin Law
Wisconsin law draws a clear line between what a licensed roofing contractor can do and what requires a public adjuster license. We follow that line and tell you exactly where it is.
What Generations Can and Cannot Do
Wisconsin law is specific about what a licensed contractor may do in connection with insurance claims. We are transparent about both sides so you can make informed decisions.
What We Can Do
What Wisconsin Law Prohibits
Need someone to negotiate your claim? Only a Wisconsin-registered public adjuster can legally negotiate insurance claims on your behalf. The Wisconsin OCI maintains a public list of registered adjusters at oci.wi.gov. For disputed or denied claims, a property insurance attorney is another option.
The Storm Damage Claims Process in Wisconsin
Filing a storm damage claim in Milwaukee or Waukesha County follows a predictable path. Understanding each step helps you move through it with confidence — and avoid the missteps that lead to underpaid or denied claims.
Identify and Document the Damage
After a hail or wind event, visually inspect from the ground for missing shingles, granule loss, dented gutters, or damaged flashing. Do not attempt to walk on your roof without proper equipment. Photograph everything you can see from the ground, including any indoor signs like ceiling stains or attic leaks. Document the date of the storm — most policies require timely reporting.
Call a licensed roofer for a professional on-roof assessment before filingGet a Professional Contractor Assessment
A trained roofing contractor — not a salesperson — should walk your roof to identify and document all storm damage. Generations provides this at no charge. We photograph every area of concern, measure the impact points, and prepare a written assessment of what we found and what repair or replacement would require. This document becomes your evidence when talking to your insurer.
Free inspection by Generations — no obligation to use our servicesContact Your Insurance Company
You — not your contractor — file the claim directly with your insurer. Call the number on your policy declarations page, report the storm date and visible damage, and request an adjuster inspection. Ask your insurer what documentation they need upfront. Keep a written record of every conversation, including the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with.
You must file the claim yourself — a contractor cannot file on your behalfAdjuster Inspection
Your insurer will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. This adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you. You have every right to have your roofing contractor present during this visit. Your contractor can point out what they found but cannot negotiate scope or price with the adjuster on your behalf. Take notes during the inspection and ask the adjuster for a copy of their findings.
Ask the adjuster: "How long until I receive the written scope and settlement offer?"Review the Settlement Offer
Your insurer will provide a written scope of loss and a settlement amount. Compare this to the contractor's estimate you already have. If the insurer's scope misses damage your contractor documented, you can ask your insurer to reconsider specific line items in writing. If the discrepancy is significant, this is when a licensed public adjuster or attorney becomes valuable.
Do not sign any release forms until you are satisfied with the full settlement amountApprove Work and Schedule Installation
Once your claim is approved and you have selected a contractor, work can be scheduled. Wisconsin Act 24 requires contractors to include specific language in contracts about whether work is insurance-related. You also have a 3-business-day right to cancel your contract if your claim is later denied in whole or in part.
Wisconsin law gives you 3 days to cancel if your claim is denied after signing
Generations crew documenting storm damage in Milwaukee County
Red flag: If a contractor promises to "cover your deductible," handle everything without your involvement, or asks you to sign over your insurance rights — walk away. These practices violate Wisconsin law and were the subject of a $6,000 OCI enforcement action in October 2025.
Your right: If you feel your insurer is acting in bad faith — delaying, denying, or underpaying without basis — you can file a complaint with the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance at oci.wi.gov.
ACV vs. RCV: Which Coverage Do You Have?
The single most important thing to know about your homeowner's policy is whether it pays Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost Value (RCV) for roof damage. The difference can be thousands of dollars out of your pocket.
| Factor | Actual Cash Value (ACV) | Replacement Cost Value (RCV) |
|---|---|---|
| What it pays | Depreciated value of your roof at time of loss | Full cost to replace with like materials, minus deductible |
| Depreciation | Withheld permanently — you absorb the gap | Withheld initially, released after work is completed |
| Out-of-pocket cost | Deductible + depreciation amount | Deductible only (after completing the work) |
| 20-year-old roof example | May pay 20–40% of replacement cost | Pays full replacement cost minus deductible |
| Older homes | More common on aged homes / older policies | Standard on most current policies if endorsed |
| How to check | Look at your policy declarations page. Find the term "roof settlement" or "functional replacement cost." Call your agent if unclear. | |
RCV policies have a deadline. Most RCV policies require you to complete repairs and submit for the recoverable depreciation within a set period — often 6 to 12 months after the initial settlement. Missing this deadline means you forfeit the holdback. Ask your insurer for your specific deadline in writing.
What Quality Damage Documentation Looks Like
The strength of your insurance claim depends heavily on how thoroughly the damage is documented before your adjuster visits. Here is what Generations captures during every storm inspection.
High-Resolution Photography
Every damaged section documented with close-up and wide-angle shots. Photos are dated and geotagged. We capture impact craters, granule loss, cracked or split shingles, and dented metal components — roof to gutters to flashing.
Written Damage Report
A clear written narrative of what we found: which roof planes were affected, nature of damage (impact, wind, hail), approximate density of hits per 10-square-foot area, and whether the damage affects the roof's water-shedding ability.
Roof Measurements
Precise square footage and pitch calculations for each roof plane. Accurate measurements prevent underestimation of the scope of work — one of the most common reasons insurance settlements fall short of actual repair costs.
Storm Date Correlation
We cross-reference damage patterns against National Weather Service storm records for Milwaukee and Waukesha County. Establishing that damage is storm-related — and occurred on a specific date — is essential for coverage eligibility.
NWS Milwaukee: weather.gov/mkx →Material-Specific Findings
Different roofing materials show storm damage differently. Asphalt shingles show bruising and granule loss. Cedar shake cracks along the grain. Metal panels dent or crease. Our inspection notes are specific to your material type so damage isn't misidentified as wear and tear.
View all roof types we service →Full Written Estimate
A complete line-item repair or replacement estimate using current market pricing for materials and labor in the Milwaukee and Waukesha County area. This gives your adjuster a precise, defensible scope of work to evaluate against your policy.
Try our cost calculator →Common Reasons Claims Are Underpaid or Denied in Wisconsin
Not every denial is final, and not every low settlement is correct. Understanding why claims get undervalued helps you ask the right questions.
If Your Claim Is Denied or Underpaid
A denial or low settlement offer is not necessarily the end of the road. You have options — and Generations can provide updated documentation to support any of the following paths:
Request a Re-Inspection
Ask your insurer to assign a different adjuster and conduct a new inspection. Provide your contractor's documented findings and any photos or storm data the original adjuster may have missed.
Invoke the Appraisal Clause
Most homeowner policies include an appraisal clause allowing each party to hire their own appraiser to resolve a scope dispute. Review your policy or ask your agent whether this applies to your situation.
Hire a Licensed Public Adjuster
A Wisconsin-registered public adjuster can legally review your policy, evaluate the scope of loss, and negotiate with your insurer on your behalf. They work for you, not the insurance company.
File a Complaint with Wisconsin OCI
If you believe your insurer is unreasonably delaying, denying, or underpaying your claim, file a complaint at oci.wi.gov. The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance investigates insurer conduct.
Consult a Property Insurance Attorney
For significant disputes, a Wisconsin property insurance attorney can evaluate your policy language, advise on bad-faith claims, and pursue litigation if warranted. The State Bar of Wisconsin's referral service can help you find qualified counsel.
Choosing a Milwaukee Storm Damage Roofing Contractor
After a major storm, Milwaukee and Waukesha County are flooded with out-of-state contractors and storm-chasers. Here is how to tell the difference between a legitimate local contractor and one to avoid.
Signs of a Trustworthy Contractor
Warning Signs — Walk Away
Storm Damage Claims — Wisconsin FAQ
Think Your Roof Has Storm Damage?
Start with a free professional inspection. Generations documents what we find, gives you an accurate written estimate, and helps you understand your next steps — with no pressure and no obligation.
Generations Roofing & Remodeling is a licensed roofing contractor, not a public adjuster, attorney, or insurance professional. We cannot negotiate insurance claims or guarantee claim outcomes. For claim disputes, consult a licensed public adjuster or property insurance attorney. Wisconsin OCI: oci.wi.gov.