The depreciated value of damaged property at the time of loss. In simple terms, it is what the insurer says the damaged item was worth right before the damage happened, not what it costs to replace it today.

The person assigned by the insurance company to inspect a loss and help determine scope, value, or coverage position. That can be a staff adjuster, independent adjuster, or third-party field inspector.

A piece of flashing used where a roof meets a vertical wall or chimney, designed to direct water away from the transition.

Also called laminate shingles. These are thicker, layered asphalt shingles designed to give more dimension and a more upgraded look than basic three-tab shingles.

The lower flashing component that helps seal a roof-to-wall or roof-to-chimney transition while still allowing for movement between materials.

A package of roofing material. Shingles and some specialty roofing products are often sold by the bundle, with a certain number of bundles equaling one square.

A natural wood roofing product known for its warmth, texture, and character. Cedar looks great, but it usually requires more upkeep over time and is more vulnerable to splitting, storm wear, and aging than synthetic alternatives.

The top cover or metal termination piece on a chimney that helps keep water, debris, and animals out while protecting the chimney opening.

A roofing impact-resistance rating often associated with better hail resistance. It is commonly seen on premium asphalt shingles and some specialty roofing systems.

Work that becomes necessary to complete the project properly because of current building code requirements, even if the old roof or wall assembly was built differently.

Supporting storm evidence found on items other than the roof itself, such as gutters, downspouts, soft metals, siding, screens, or window wraps.

A manufacturing process used by Brava for its roofing tiles. Brava describes this process as making the tiles stronger, more detailed, and more dimensional than comparable synthetic roofing products.

The upper flashing piece that overlaps base flashing to keep water from getting behind the lower flashing system.

A row of roofing material installed across the roof.

The portion of a loss or damage situation that the insurance policy may respond to, subject to the policy language, limits, exclusions, and conditions.

The way a home looks from the street. In roofing and exterior work, curb appeal usually refers to how well the new materials, colors, and details fit the home visually.

A field or accessory shake that has been trimmed to fit a specific location, such as a valley, rake, or transition.

The wood surface under the roofing material, usually plywood or OSB, that the roof system is fastened to.

The technical finishing parts of a project, including flashings, transitions, penetrations, trim details, and layout work that determine whether the final result looks and performs like a premium installation.

Another common term for architectural shingles.

The vertical pipe that carries water from the gutter down to the ground or drainage point.

A metal edge installed along the roof perimeter to help direct water away from the roof deck and fascia.

The lower roof edge where water drains into the gutter system.

A written scope and pricing document showing the work believed necessary to complete a repair or replacement.

A structured set of documents used to support a storm claim clearly and professionally. At the core, Foremost’s evidence package approach centers on four things: what happened, when it happened, specifications or photo evidence of the damage, and a detailed estimate. Depending on the file, it may also include repairability documentation, code references, manufacturer support, engineering, and other expert-level documents.

The vertical finishing board along the roof edge where gutters are typically attached.

The main roofing pieces installed across the body of a shake-style roof, as opposed to starter, ridge, or accessory pieces.

Metal or specialty waterproofing materials used at transitions, penetrations, and roof intersections to direct water out and away from vulnerable areas.

Damage caused by walking on a roof, especially on older, brittle, hot, steep, cedar, synthetic, or specialty roofing products.

The triangular wall section at the end of a sloped roof.

A flashing detail at the lower roof edge that helps direct water into the gutter.

A system designed to reduce debris buildup in gutters. Some are inserts, some are covers, and some are part of a proprietary gutter system.

Storm-related damage caused by hail impact. This can include bruising, fractures, granule loss, dents to soft metals, broken seals, cracked accessories, or other roof and exterior damage.

The amount of overlap between one course of roofing material and the course below it. More headlap generally means better water-shedding performance.

Damage that is not obvious from the ground or surface and is only discovered after closer inspection, testing, tear-off, or opening the wall or roof assembly.

The external angle where two sloped roof planes meet.

The specialty roofing pieces installed along hips and ridges to finish the roof system. On Brava, the hip and ridge is a dedicated system component rather than a makeshift field adaptation. Brava’s cedar shake system includes hip/ridge pieces in multiple configurations depending on pitch and application.

A waterproof membrane used at vulnerable areas like eaves and valleys to help protect against backup water, ice dam exposure, and leak-prone transitions. Brava recommends ice and water shield at eaves and valleys as part of its cedar shake roof system.

A ridge of ice that forms along the roof edge and can force water back under the roofing material instead of letting it drain off normally.

A claims professional hired by an insurance company on a contract basis to inspect and report on losses.

A complete roofing assembly where the field material, starter, hip and ridge, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, and accessory details all work together as one system. Brava specifically presents its cedar shake roof as an integrated system that includes starter, field shake, hip/ridge, optional solid shakes, synthetic underlayment, and recommended ice and water protection.

The visible gap or spacing between individual shake or shingle pieces. On specialty roofing, keyway consistency has a big impact on both appearance and proper layout.

Another name for an architectural asphalt shingle.

A proprietary covered gutter system. It is different from a standard open gutter with an add-on screen or insert.

The actual route water takes after entering the building envelope. The visible interior stain is not always directly below the point where water entered.

A roof with less pitch than a standard steep-slope roof. Low-slope areas often require different materials and detailing than the main shingle or shake sections.

The issue of whether a repaired or replaced material is reasonably similar to the existing material in appearance, profile, texture, dimensions, and overall finished look.

Brava states that its color is created using mineral pigments found in nature rather than chemical or dye-based colorants, which it says helps provide longer-lasting color performance.

The steps taken to help prevent further damage after a loss, such as tarping, temporary drying, or emergency protection.

Foremost’s approach to inspecting a home without pushing the homeowner into a rushed decision. The goal is clarity, documentation, and helping the homeowner understand the real condition of the property.

Short for Owens Corning, a roofing manufacturer commonly referenced in asphalt shingle discussions.

A roof valley detail where metal is visible and exposed to carry water down the valley channel.

Anything that passes through the roof surface, such as a plumbing vent, furnace vent, chimney, skylight, or mechanical stack.

A set of job photos organized to show the condition of the property, support a recommendation, or document completed work.

A flashing component installed around a plumbing vent or other round penetration through the roof.

A manufacturer-recognized contractor relationship. Brava states that its preferred contractors are factory-trained and committed to workmanship, insurance, background checks, and ongoing training.

A short list of remaining items that need to be finished, adjusted, corrected, or cleaned up before full project closeout.

The sloped roof edge at the end of a roof plane.

The portion of a replacement cost claim that may be paid later after repairs or replacement are completed and documented, if the policy allows it.

A cut or groove, often in chimney masonry, where flashing is inserted and sealed.

Whether a damaged roof or exterior section can actually be repaired properly without creating new damage, mismatching, seal issues, or a failed finished result.

The cost to repair or replace damaged property with materials of like kind and quality, without deduction for depreciation, subject to the terms of the policy.

The highest horizontal line where two roof planes meet.

An exhaust ventilation component installed near the ridge line to help attic airflow.

The list of work believed necessary to complete the repair or replacement properly.

The adhesive area on a shingle that helps bond it to the course below after installation.

A way of saying a roof or system still has useful life and may still be a realistic repair candidate.

Another term often used for roof decking.

A small metal flashing piece used at certain roof-to-wall or roof termination details.

The visual and functional consistency of siding across an elevation. This becomes important when partial replacement would create obvious seams, mismatching, or interrupted layout.

Roof-mounted devices that help control the release of snow and ice so it does not slide off the roof in one dangerous mass. On slicker roofing systems like synthetic shake and metal, snow guards are often an important part of the system design for Minnesota homes.

Items like gutters, vents, flashing, wraps, and downspouts that can show storm impact more easily than harder materials.

A Brava accessory piece with a solid back, commonly used at rakes and valleys as part of the system detailing.

A roofing measurement equal to 100 square feet of roof area.

An adjuster who works directly for the insurance company.

The first course or dedicated starter product installed at the eaves or edges to begin the roofing system correctly. Brava’s cedar shake system includes a 12-inch starter installed at the eaves.

A metal ring used above certain roof flashings to help shed water around vent penetrations.

Damage caused by a weather event such as hail, wind, falling branches, or debris impact.

A man-made roofing product designed to resemble natural cedar shake. Brava markets its shake as a no-maintenance alternative to traditional cedar, with a 50-year transferable warranty, Class A fire rating, and high resistance to hail and storm damage.

A roof underlayment made from synthetic materials instead of traditional felt. Brava recommends synthetic underlayment as part of its cedar shake roof system.

The removal of existing roofing material before installing a new roof system.

An outside field inspector or vendor used by an insurance company to inspect a property and report back, often without final claim decision authority.

Any point where one roof section, roof type, slope, or material meets another and requires special detailing.

The layer installed between the roof deck and the visible roofing material to provide added water protection.

The internal angle where two roof planes meet and channel water together.

A metal flashing installed in the valley to help carry concentrated water flow safely off the roof.

The intake and exhaust airflow system that helps regulate attic temperature and moisture.

A final or in-progress review of the project with the homeowner to explain status, completed work, or remaining items.

The written protection offered by the manufacturer and or contractor, usually covering product performance, workmanship, or both under specific terms.

A higher-touch service experience focused on communication, clean job sites, careful project handling, and long-term homeowner trust. That language is consistent with how Foremost describes the experience it wants clients to have.

Damage caused by wind pressure, uplift, creasing, tearing, missing materials, broken seals, or related storm effects.

The contractor’s warranty covering the quality of the installation itself, separate from the manufacturer’s product warranty.