Winter in Illinois and Wisconsin brings some of the most challenging seasonal damages: roof collapse and structural damage from the weight of snow and ice. These insurance claims are extremely common but also highly contested. Insurance companies often underpay or deny claims, citing “roof age” or “poor maintenance.”
In this article, we explain:
- why roof damage occurs from snow load;
- what your policy typically covers;
- what insurance adjusters try to avoid paying;
- how adjusters on demand protect your claims.
Curious for the answers? Keep reading!
How Snow and Ice Weight Cause Roof & Structural Damage
This type of roof damage is a major headache for residents of northern states with cold climates, like Illinois and Wisconsin. When heavy snow and ice accumulate on a roof, their weight causes the roof to sag and/or collapse inward.
| 1. Snow accumulation | → | Creates critical static load that exceeds the roof’s design capacity. |
|---|---|---|
| 2. Ice dams | → | Trapped water seeps under shingles, triggering rot in the roof decking and weakening the structure. |
| 3. Freeze-thaw cycles | → | Expand cracks and joints in roofing materials and connections. |
| 4. Ice sheets sliding off | → | Falling ice chunks damage gutters, vents, and exterior walls. |
The areas most affected by snow and ice weight include:
- Flat roofs: For membrane or asphalt roofs, damage ranges from minor issues like seam separation and tears to complete collapse.
- Aging roofs: Older roofs are already weakened by time and corrosion, which partially damages metal connections (e.g., welded seams).
- Various types of additions: Garages, porches, and decks often have weaker framing, increasing risk because they are frequently built separately and not designed for the full house load.
- Commercial buildings with large spans: Open spaces in warehouses and workshops use fewer supports, which increases load on structural beams. This raises the risk of sagging or collapse in the center.
In the most severe cases, weight can lead to total roof collapse, breaking ceiling joists and causing the structure to fall inward.
Feeling stuck with your claim? You don’t have to fight alone.
Reach out to us — we will review your claim for free and help you understand your options
Warning Signs Your Roof Is About to Fail
Roof collapses rarely happen suddenly. The problem develops slowly but steadily. The good news: you can spot warning signs and prevent disaster.
Look for indicators of excessive snow load:
- Sagging ceilings inside your home.
- Cracking drywall, especially above doors or in corners.
- Doors and windows sticking suddenly (sign of frame deformation).
- Creaking or cracking sounds on the roof.
- Visible sagging of the roofline from the outside.
- Water dripping on interior walls (especially if there’s been no recent rain).
- Bowed or bending rafters in the attic.
If you notice any of these signs and are already googling “roof adjuster near me,” you’re doing the right thing — acting quickly and wisely is essential.
What Insurance Typically Covers for Snow and Ice Weight Damage
Most homeowners insurance claims and commercial insurance policies cover:
- roof collapse due to the weight of snow or ice;
- interior water damage resulting from collapse;
- damaged contents (furniture, equipment);
- structural repairs;
- tear-out to access damaged framing.
However, insurers often look for reasons to deny payment, twisting every possible excuse to their advantage:
- claiming the incident resulted from poor or insufficient roof maintenance;
- blaming ineffective or improper snow removal that caused roof damage;
- citing “wear and tear” exclusions;
- arguing that the structure was damaged before the snowfall.
Additionally, an insurance adjuster may try to reclassify damage from ice damming as a gradual problem instead of a sudden event. This allows the company to justify not paying for interior restoration.
Why Snow & Ice Claims Get Delayed or Lowballed
Insurance claims for snow load are some of the most expensive for insurers, so they fight them aggressively.
The insurance adjuster is not interested in a quick, fair payment. They are focused on minimizing claim costs.
To do this, the company may send engineers on-site with hidden agendas. Their goal is to find evidence of pre-existing deterioration or “prior material aging.” From there, all responsibility for the incident is shifted to you, the property owner.
Insurance claims adjusters also redefine terms. They may label serious structural shifts as mere cosmetic defects, ignoring hidden water damage inside walls. As a result, the claims process can drag on for months using “extended investigation” tactics, leaving you living with a hole in your roof.
What To Do Immediately After Snow or Ice Damage
Many property owners make a fatal mistake and hurt themselves. In a panic, they call roofers who quickly clear snow, patch holes, or even dismantle debris.
Remember the main rule. Do not make repairs or even touch damaged areas, structures, or materials until all damage has been fully documented!
Here’s what you should do:
- Document everything. Photograph the snow on the roof (to show its volume and weight), record sagging areas and collapsed sections on video, and take moisture readings.
- Do not remove snow yourself. It’s dangerous, and if you damage the roof with a shovel, the insurer may blame you.
- Preserve damaged materials. Even if a piece of the roof has fallen, do not discard it before inspection.
- Prevent further water damage (mitigation). You can cover the area with a tarp, but only if it’s safe. Do not start major repairs.
- Call your insurance company — but be careful. Stick to the facts, not assumptions.
- Contact an independent roof adjuster IMMEDIATELY. The sooner you reach out, the sooner a professional can prevent misclassification of damages.
Your evidence disappears along with the snow. Don’t delay contacting adjuster companies. The best strategy is a proactive strategy.
Special Considerations for Commercial Buildings
For commercial property insurance claims, stakes are even higher, and the process is complicated by the risk of business interruption.
Physical Vulnerability
Warehouses, shopping centers, and manufacturing facilities are at highest risk. Their flat roofs accumulate tons of ice without natural shedding.
Financial Pressure
Insurance companies know that business interruption insurance claims can be enormous. That’s why they almost always try to prove improper maintenance or an aging roof. The goal is clear — to avoid paying for lost income.
Inspection and Documentation Obstacles
How a Public Adjuster Strengthens Your Snow Load Claim
Winter claims require a strategic approach. If the insurance company disputes your claim, a professional roof claims adjuster can help.
At On-Site Adjusting, we provide full-cycle claim protection:
- Independent inspection. We inspect the property before the insurance company’s engineer, giving us control over the initial assessment.
- Clear separation. We document structural damage separately from cosmetic damage to avoid underestimating repair costs.
- Realistic calculations. We demand full replacement costs for large loss insurance claims, not cheap “patch repairs.”
- Maximum coverage. Claims can include structural framing, insulation, drywall, interior finishes, contents, Additional Living Expenses (ALE), and Business Interruption (commercial).
- Fighting misclassification. We bring the insurance adjuster to an insurance claim negotiation, during which we prove the inaccuracy of their verdict (for example, “wear and tear”).
We are licensed home and business public adjusters in Illinois, Wisconsin, and California. In Illinois, we also hold a contractor license. For you, this is a double advantage: we know the real cost of restoration and can effectively challenge undervalued estimates.
Best Prevention Tips for Homeowners & Businesses
Can you prevent a disaster? Partially, yes. The main cause of dangerous ice dams is heat loss through the roof. Instead of just breaking icicles, focus on attic insulation.
Also, it helps to:
- keep gutters clean year-round so water can drain properly during thaws;
- avoid excessive mechanical snow removal, which can damage shingles;
- hire a professional team for safe snow load clearing.
Follow these simple tips to protect yourself from disaster.
Final Thoughts — Don’t Battle a Winter Claim Alone
Snow and ice weight claims are seasonal, costly, and insurers fight them fiercely. One call to a roofer can destroy evidence of snow load and cost you your payout.
Proper documentation and early representation by a roof public adjuster are crucial. Don’t let the insurance adjuster make your winter even colder.
Need roof insurance claim help? Call the On-Site Adjusting team at (866) 861-4992 or (866) 933-0404, or fill out our contact form.
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