Red Rover Roofing, a verteran-owned roofing contractor in Williamson County, is urging Middle Tennessee homeowners to schedule pre-storm roof inspections and establish baseline documentation after tornado warnings swept through Williamson, Maury, and Davidson counties on the night of March 15, 2026.
The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for central Maury County and eastern Williamson County Sunday night as a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado tracked northeast near Columbia at 50 mph. Separate tornado warnings were issued for Davidson and Sumner counties. Wind gusts reached 70 mph across the region, leaving thousands without power and damaging homes in neighboring Lawrence County.
While many homeowners will now check their roofs for visible storm damage, Red Rover Roofing says the bigger risk comes after the next storm — when homeowners who file insurance claims without pre-existing documentation find their claims denied.
"Wear and tear is one of the most common reasons insurance carriers deny roof damage claims," said Alex Hostetler, owner of Red Rover Roofing and a CertainTeed Master Shingle Applicator. "When an adjuster inspects a roof after a storm and finds damaged shingles, cracked flashing, or compromised ventilation, the carrier can argue that damage was pre-existing rather than caused by the covered event. Without dated documentation showing the roof was in good condition before the storm, the homeowner has no evidence to counter that."
Homeowners insurance policies are designed to cover sudden, accidental damage from events like hailstorms, wind, and fallen debris. They do not cover gradual deterioration, deferred maintenance, or damage that existed before the covered event. When new storm damage overlaps with older wear, adjusters may attribute the full scope to pre-existing conditions — partially or fully denying the claim.
A pre-storm roof inspection with timestamped photographic documentation creates a dated baseline record of the roof's condition. If a future storm causes damage, the homeowner has evidence establishing that the roof was intact before the event, making it significantly harder for the carrier to classify the damage as wear and tear.
"This is not about filing a claim today," said Hostetler. "This is about protecting your ability to file a claim six months from now when a hailstorm hits Williamson County in August. If your roof is documented as being in good condition in March, and hail damages it in August, your carrier has a much harder time calling that pre-existing."
Hostetler, who holds Xactimate Level 2 certification — the same estimating platform insurance adjusters use to write damage scopes — also advises homeowners to keep inspection reports separate from their insurance file until a claim event actually occurs.
"A professional inspection establishes the record. It does not obligate you to file a claim or contact your carrier," said Hostetler. "The documentation sits in your file until you need it. If a storm event happens and damage occurs, that baseline report becomes one of the strongest tools you have in the claims process."
Red Rover Roofing provides pre-storm inspections that include a photographic assessment of the roof surface, flashing, ventilation, gutters, and any visible wear or damage. Inspection reports are delivered with timestamped photos that can be retained by the homeowner as baseline documentation.
Co-founder Courtney Hostetler, a retired United States Army Captain who served as a Logistics and Ordnance Officer, manages field operations and project scheduling for the company.
"Last night was a reminder that severe weather does not wait for homeowners to prepare," said Courtney Hostetler. "Spring storm season in Middle Tennessee is not a single event — it is a pattern that runs through June. The time to document your roof's condition is before the next round, not after."
Free pre-storm roof inspections are available for homeowners in Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Thompson's Station, Nolensville, Nashville, and Murfreesboro. Homeowners can click here to schedule an inspection or by calling (615) 392-4503. Additional homeowner education resources on insurance claims, roofing materials, and contractor selection are available through Roof University.
ABOUT RED ROVER ROOFING
Red Rover Roofing (www.redroverroofingco.com/company) is a family-owned, veteran-owned, and woman-owned residential roofing contractor headquartered in Williamson County, TN. Founded in October 2025 by Alex Hostetler and retired U.S. Army Captain Courtney Hostetler, the company holds Tennessee Home Improvement License #12890. Alex Hostetler has been in the insurance restoration industry for nearly a decade and personally helped over 1,000 homeowners get their roofs replaced, he holds CertainTeed Master Shingle Applicator certification and Xactimate Level 2 certification. Red Rover Roofing is CertainTeed ShingleMaster credentialed at the company level. The company serves Williamson, Davidson, Maury, and Rutherford counties. BBB Accredited. 5.0-star Google rating.
Loyal. Local. Built to Last.
Find Red Rover Roofing on Google Maps | maps.google.com/?cid=31372740039050063
Media Contact
Company Name: Red Rover Roofing
Contact Person: Alex Hostetler
Email: Send Email
Phone: (615) 392-4503
City: Spring Hill
State: Tennessee
Country: United States
Website: www.redroverroofingco.com
