What Q1 2026 Data Tells Us About Roof Damage and Insurance Claims

The latest Verisk Quarterly Property Report paints a picture of an industry that’s shifting rather than slowing down. Overall property claims declined during the first quarter of 2026, but winter weather, rising reconstruction costs, and evolving claim patterns continue to create challenges for insurers, adjusters, and contractors. 

For companies involved in property inspections and roof claims, here are the trends that matter most.  

Fewer Claims Doesn’t Mean Simpler Claims 

U.S. property claim volume fell 8.9% year over year, continuing a downward trend that began in early 2025. Catastrophe claims also declined nearly 10%, despite several significant winter weather events.  

For roofing contractors and adjusters, this doesn’t necessarily mean less work. 

Verisk notes that average claim severity remains elevated and is expected to increase as more complex claims mature. In other words, while carriers may be handling fewer claims overall, many of those claims are becoming more expensive and require more detailed documentation before settlement.  

That’s where objective inspection data becomes increasingly valuable. 

Winter Weather Replaced Hail  

Instead of widespread hail events, the first quarter was dominated by Winter Storms Fern and Hernando, along with damaging wind events across the central United States. 

Those storms generated more than 46,000 ice, snow, and collapse claims, representing over $478 million in estimated replacement cost value.  

For inspection teams, this reinforces an important reality: roof damage isn’t limited to hail. Wind, freeze, snow loading, and ice-related damage all require consistent documentation and clear evidence when evaluating a property. 

Hail Claims Declined Significantly 

One of the most notable findings for roofing professionals was the decrease in hail activity. 

Verisk reports: 

• Residential roofs impacted by 1″–1.99″ hail declined 10% 

• Roofs impacted by 2″+ hail declined 59% 

• Overall hail claim activity dropped 23.6% compared to Q1 2025  

This doesn’t suggest hail is becoming less important long term. Rather, it highlights how seasonal weather patterns can dramatically shift the types of inspections adjusters and contractors perform throughout the year. 

Water Damage has Driven Claims 

Water damage accounted for 31.1% of all U.S. property claims, making it the largest loss category during the quarter. Ice, snow, and freeze-related claims also increased substantially following the winter storms.  

Because many water losses begin with roof failures, documenting roof condition before repairs begin remains critical for establishing the cause of loss and supporting coverage decisions. 

Rising Costs for Reconstruction & Repairs

Although claim volume declined, reconstruction costs continued to rise. 

Verisk reports: 

• U.S. reconstruction costs increased 3.4% year over year. 

• Combined labor and material costs increased 1.21% during the quarter. 

• Labor continues to outpace material inflation, while lumber prices continued to decline.  

As repair costs increase, so does the financial impact of claim decisions. Accurate measurements, complete imagery, and consistent inspection reports help reduce disputes and provide stronger support for repair or replacement recommendations. 

Q1 2026 Overview 

The biggest story from Q1 2026 is that claim volume continued to decline across North America, but claim severity and reconstruction costs remain historically high. The insurance industry is handling fewer claims overall, yet each claim is still expensive to repair, largely because of labor shortages, wage pressure, and rising construction costs.  The first quarter of 2026 demonstrates that property claims are becoming increasingly driven by weather variability rather than a single dominant peril. 

While hail activity slowed, winter weather, wind, freeze, and water losses became much more prominent. At the same time, elevated reconstruction costs and higher claim severity continue to place greater emphasis on inspection quality. 

For contractors, adjusters, and insurance carriers, consistent documentation is becoming just as important as identifying damage itself. As claims grow more complex and more expensive, having objective inspection data can help support faster decisions and reduce unnecessary disputes.