The pattern
Adjuster inspects → concludes wear and tear → denial issued → homeowner left with damage.
What the denial actually says
- "Damage is not consistent with storm causation"
- "Aging roof, not wind-related"
- "Wear-and-tear pattern"
- Sometimes supported by engineering report
Counter-forensic approach
Specific event documentation
- NOAA wind speed for date and location
- Hail data from NEXRAD
- Tornado paths and proximity
Damage pattern correlation
- Directional uplift matching wind vector
- Debris strike marks
- Uniform pattern across exposed slopes
- Fastener failure consistent with mechanical load
Timeline
- No prior-event damage documented
- Specific discovery post-event
- Immediate claim timing
Adjacent property comparison
- Neighbors reported similar damage
- Area-wide event impact
- Contractor patterns
When engineer reports conflict
- Request carrier's engineer report
- Independent forensic engineer
- Depose carrier engineer if litigating
- Report-shopping argument if pattern exists