New Mexico adjusters approve claims when they see soft-metal evidence, chalk-test bruises, and dated wide shots. This is the exact protocol I use on Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe roofs after every storm.
Round dents on drip edge, gutter apron, downspouts, and A/C fins prove hail size. 3 angles per elevation.
Chalk a 10×10 ft area on N, S, E, W slopes. Count bruises. 8+ hits per square usually totals the slope.
Rub chalk across suspect shingles. Bruises show as bright rings. Press each — soft = mat damage, adjuster-approvable.
Skylights, siding, window screens, painted decks. Wall damage corroborates roof damage for the adjuster.
One ground-level wide shot of the whole roof and one of the house number. Filing rules require location proof.
Batch-rename: 2026-07-14_ne-slope_hit-01.jpg. Adjusters reject undated photo dumps.
Most NM policies require notice within 1 year of the storm, but carriers prefer 60 days. File as soon as you have documented evidence.
No, but an independent inspector's photo report dramatically increases approval odds and prevents lowball scopes.
Stones 1" and larger typically bruise NM asphalt shingles. Smaller stones can still damage soft metals and older roofs.
Free NM walk-around, no sales pitch. If you want it in writing, reports start at $149.