Start with safe observations
Wait until conditions permit a safe ground-level view. Photograph fallen pieces, visible openings and interior water damage without climbing onto the roof. Keep people away from loose materials overhead. If protection is needed before permanent repairs, ask a qualified contractor to plan it for the tile roof and document what was covered.
Preserve the timeline
Record the storm date, when damage was first noticed and any earlier photographs or maintenance visits. Include recent solar, chimney or mechanical work. Give the assessor the same information you provide to other parties. The timing of discovery is useful evidence, but it is not automatically the date every defect developed.
Ask for a roof-wide assessment
TRIA recommends professional evaluation of the deck and underlayment as well as damaged tiles. Request a roof map distinguishing broken pieces, displacement, flashing concerns and areas that could not be examined. Hail and airborne debris can cause impacts; the report should explain the evidence for any cause assigned.
Understand the limits of shortcuts
A hand-lift demonstration does not reproduce the wind testing referenced by tile installation standards. Ask an assessor to identify the basis for a recommendation, including the applicable assembly details and observed condition. If findings conflict, request clarification of the evidence or an independent qualified review before expanding the work.
Turn findings into a repair plan
Separate temporary protection, confirmed repairs and further investigation. Ask how replacement tiles will fit, what hidden layers need attention and how inaccessible areas will be handled. Keep technical findings distinct from any insurance decision. Neither a material rating nor a contractor’s inspection establishes a guaranteed claim outcome or future storm performance.
Related questions
Further reading & technical sources
- Post Storm Event: Considerations for Repairing Damaged Concrete and Clay Roofing Tiles ↗
- Evaluation of Roofs After High Wind Events ↗
- Tile Replacement Considerations for Tile Roofs ↗
- Clay or Concrete Tile Roofs ↗
Consult the current product documentation and local requirements for your project. These introductions are not installation specifications.
Tile Roofing USA editorial guide · Published October 26, 2026.