When a winter storm hits, the damage is often immediate, but the battle with your insurance company can drag on for months. In 2026, insurers are increasingly denying claims based on “wear and tear” or “pre-existing conditions,” placing the burden of proof squarely on the homeowner. If you cannot prove that your roof was in good shape before the tree fell on it, you may receive a fraction of the replacement cost. Spending twenty minutes today with your smartphone camera can be the difference between a full payout and a denial letter. Here are nine specific things you must photograph now to “bulletproof” your future claim.
