On Long Island, one strong thunderstorm can damage a roof, drive rain through an opening, bring a large limb down onto the house, or leave water inside walls and ceilings. Some of that damage is obvious. Some of it shows up days later. The first inspection has to account for both. When the inspection stops at the visible damage, the estimate can come in short and the homeowner may not discover the full problem until later. A Storm Claim Can Involve More Than One Damaged Shing

A pipe leaks under the kitchen sink. The water gets cleaned up. The cabinet looks wet, but the rest of the room seems fine. That is the damage you can see. The bigger problem may be underneath it. Water moves through seams, wall cavities, flooring, insulation, and framing. It can travel well beyond the spot where the leak started. If the claim includes only the visible damage, the insurance estimate may leave out much of the work required behind it. After 30 years of handling