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Homeowners insurance question??

I was wondering how an adjuster determines what caused the damage to a roof ?

We had a freak rain storm and it caused my roof to leak considerbly, causing water damage in my kitchen. I don't know the age of my roof, however, when I purchased my home, 1 year ago and it was inspected, the inspection report stated the roof was in good condition.

An adjuster is coming to my home on Wednesday to access the damage. However, he told me it would only be covered if there was visual damage to the roof and there is not any visual damage. For example, some shingles missing, etc. Caused by hail or wind. A severe rain storm doesn't count?

My dilema is, I feel they should pay the claim since I have never had any problems with storms before in the past. I am afraid they will say it is not covered due to the roof being older or not seeing any visual damage....

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated thanks!

Man, aren't insurance companies just the best! I gathered from your question that you didn't have hail damage, just a leaking roof. Here's a suggestion, get in your attic and look at the plywood that was used to create the foundation for your roof. If you can find any water stains there (or better yet damaged wood), see if there is a hole that goes (i.e. nail hole or something else) all the way through the roof. If you can't find anything in the attic, you might try looking at your shingles to see if anyone of them were blown up or might be loose. There is supposed to be tar strip on the bottom of each shingle tab that causes it to adhere to the shingle just below it on the roof. Perhaps one of them was blown up and back by the wind from your rainstorm. You might also check to see if any of the shingle tabs are cracked. By the way if it is just a hole in your roof, replacing your roof will be MUCH more expensive than just buying some roofing tar and fixing it yourself. Good luck dealing with your insurance company.

I think you are on a hiding to nothing.
Ah, well, on an HO2 policy, the burden of proof is on YOU. On an HO3 policy, the burden of proof is on the insurance company.

Basically, for water damage, they look for damage to the exterior of the roof. If there's a tree branch through it, for example, or were shingles lifted up from the rain?

Severe rain doesn't get into a house through a sound roof, unless there is damage to the roof (ie, shingles blow off, or a tree branch goes through it). So if there ISN'T visible dmage, then the roof was leaky/wore out.

Sorry, they are NOT going to pay for the new roof - roofs need to be replaced every 5-25 years (assuming it's an asphalt shingle roof) depending on geographic location, and insurance companies are NOT maintenance companies.

They very well MAY pay for the water damage inside, though, unless the damage looks old & ongoing. They'll be able to tell that by looking in your attic & looking at the plaster/drywall.