Adjuster reference
Cause of loss wording examples, peril by peril
The cause-of-loss paragraph is the part of a report a reviewer reads first and questions most. Below is sample wording for eighteen perils, with the facts each paragraph has to carry. Adapt them to what you actually observed — the dates, names, report numbers, and measurements here are placeholders, and wording copied without the underlying observations is what gets a file returned.
Wind
What the paragraph must carry
- Date of the wind event and the insured's date of discovery
- Which elevations and roof slopes faced the reported wind direction
- Whether a storm-created opening exists, and where
Sample wording
The insured reported high winds on July 28, 2026. Displaced laminated shingles were observed at the rear slope, the elevation facing the reported wind direction, with underlayment torn across approximately 12 square feet. This constitutes a storm-created opening. Interior water staining in the primary bedroom lies directly beneath that opening and is consistent with the reported event.
Hail
What the paragraph must carry
- Reported hail date, and stone size if the insured observed it
- Test square location and impact count per slope
- Collateral damage found on soft metals, and directional pattern
Sample wording
The insured reported hail on May 4, 2026. A 10-by-10 test square on the south slope produced 9 impacts with granule loss and exposed mat. Collateral impact marks were observed to the gutter apron, two soft-metal vent caps, and the condenser fins on the south elevation, consistent in direction with the reported event. The north slope was inspected; no hail-related damage was observed.
Wind and hail combined
What the paragraph must carry
- Which damage is attributable to wind and which to hail
- Whether both occurred in the same event or on separate dates
- Any age-related deterioration assessed separately from storm damage
Sample wording
The reported event of May 4, 2026 produced both wind and hail. Hail impacts with granule loss and exposed mat were documented on the south and west slopes by test square. Separately, wind displaced four shingles at the west slope ridge, creating an opening. Mat cracking observed on the north slope is consistent with age-related deterioration of a 1998 covering rather than the reported event, and is noted for depreciation purposes.
Hurricane or named storm
What the paragraph must carry
- Storm name and landfall or passage date
- Whether damage is wind-driven, surge, or flood in origin
- Which deductible applies, and on what basis
Sample wording
Damage results from Hurricane Example, which passed the risk on September 9, 2026. Observed damage is wind and wind-driven rain in origin: shingles displaced at the east slope and water intrusion beneath that opening. No high-water marks were observed at the exterior or interior, and no surge or rising-water damage was identified. The named-storm deductible applies to Coverage A.
Water damage, interior plumbing
What the paragraph must carry
- The specific component that failed and where it sits
- Whether the release was sudden or ongoing over time
- Moisture readings and the affected materials by room
Sample wording
A supply line to the second-floor hall bathroom lavatory failed on August 2, 2026, releasing water to the finished floor and the ceiling of the room below. The insured discovered the release the same day and shut off the water supply. The failure is sudden and accidental; no staining, rot, or prior repair indicating long-term seepage was observed at the failed component. Elevated moisture readings were recorded at the bathroom floor and the living room ceiling and upper walls.
Freeze
What the paragraph must carry
- Freezing temperatures and the dated event
- Whether the dwelling was occupied and heat maintained
- The component that froze and split, and where it runs
Sample wording
Sustained freezing temperatures on January 14, 2026 caused a split to the copper supply line running through the unconditioned attic above the kitchen. The dwelling was occupied and heat was maintained at the time of loss; the failed run is outside the conditioned envelope and uninsulated. Water discharged into the kitchen ceiling and upper cabinets.
Sewer or drain backup
What the paragraph must carry
- Which fixture or drain backed up and the discovered date
- Whether the blockage is on the insured's line or the municipal main
- Category of water and the mitigation performed
Sample wording
Waste water backed up through the basement floor drain and the adjacent laundry standpipe on June 3, 2026. A plumbing contractor cleared a root intrusion in the lateral on the insured's side of the cleanout and provided an invoice. The water is Category 3. Affected carpet, pad, and the lower 24 inches of drywall were removed by a mitigation vendor prior to inspection; photographs and the mitigation scope are in file.
Flood or surface water
What the paragraph must carry
- Where the water entered and how high it rose
- Exterior and interior high-water marks
- That surface water is excluded, when the policy so provides
Sample wording
Surface water entered the dwelling at the garage overhead door and the rear sliding door during heavy rainfall on April 22, 2026. Exterior high-water marks were observed at approximately 6 inches above grade at the rear elevation, with interior marks at approximately 4 inches above the finished floor. Damage is limited to finished flooring, base trim, and the lower drywall of the garage and family room.
Fire
What the paragraph must carry
- Area of origin and suspected cause, or the official report reference
- Suppression damage separate from fire damage
- Board-up, securing, and utility disconnection
Sample wording
Fire originated in the attached garage at the north wall, in the vicinity of an electrical panel, per the fire department report dated March 11, 2026 (incident 26-0412). Fire and heat damage extend into the attic above the garage and the adjacent bedroom wall. Suppression efforts produced water damage throughout the first floor. Emergency board-up of the garage opening was completed and electrical service was disconnected by the utility at the time of the incident.
Smoke
What the paragraph must carry
- The source of the smoke and whether it was on or off premises
- How far the smoke traveled and how residue and odor were verified
- Whether cleaning or replacement is required, and why
Sample wording
Smoke originated from a kitchen cooking fire on premises on February 18, 2026, extinguished by the insured. Visible residue and odor were verified in the kitchen, adjoining dining room, and the return-air path to the upper hall. Residue was confirmed by wipe test on painted ceilings and cabinet faces. Cleaning is feasible in the dining room and hall; kitchen ceiling drywall requires replacement due to residue penetration at the unsealed texture.
Lightning
What the paragraph must carry
- The dated storm and the physical evidence of a strike
- The strike path from entry point to damaged components
- Which items failed and how failure was verified
Sample wording
Lightning struck during a storm on July 9, 2026. A strike point was observed at the ridge above the primary bedroom, with scorching to the shingle surface and a split rafter beneath. The strike path continues to the attic-mounted air handler, whose control board shows arcing. The HVAC contractor's report of July 11, 2026 confirms the failure and is in file.
Power surge, not lightning
What the paragraph must carry
- The source of the surge and whether the utility confirms it
- Which devices failed and how that was verified
- Whether damage occurred to wiring or only to devices
Sample wording
A power surge occurred on June 27, 2026 following a utility transformer failure on the street; the insured reports a utility crew on site the same evening. The refrigerator control board, microwave, and two televisions failed at that time and do not power on. No scorching, arcing, or damage to the panel, branch wiring, or receptacles was observed.
Weight of ice or snow
What the paragraph must carry
- Accumulation depth at the time of loss
- The structural member or surface that deflected or failed
- Whether ice damming contributed, and where
Sample wording
Approximately 19 inches of accumulated snow with an ice layer was present at the time of loss on February 2, 2026. The rear patio cover framing deflected and partially failed under the load, with two rafters split at the ledger. Ice damming was observed at the north eave of the main roof, with interior staining to the adjacent ceiling below.
Falling object or tree
What the paragraph must carry
- What fell, what caused the fall, and who owns it
- Whether the object was dead, diseased, or compromised beforehand
- Whether access or egress is obstructed
Sample wording
A mature oak located on the neighboring parcel fell onto the rear roof slope during a storm on August 30, 2026. The trunk shows sound wood at the failure point with no evidence of prior disease or decay. The tree struck the rear slope and fascia, fracturing three rafters, and remains in contact with the structure. Rear egress from the patio door is obstructed. Emergency tarping was completed by a mitigation vendor.
Vehicle impact
What the paragraph must carry
- The dated impact, driver, and whether a police report exists
- The point of impact and any structural involvement
- Third-party carrier information for recovery
Sample wording
A vehicle operated by a third party left the roadway and struck the front elevation on May 19, 2026. A police report was taken (report 26-88104). Impact occurred at the front-left corner of the attached garage, displacing the corner framing and fracturing the header above the overhead door. The structure was secured on the date of loss. Third-party carrier and policy information were obtained and are in file for recovery consideration.
Explosion
What the paragraph must carry
- What exploded, its fuel or energy source, on or off premises
- Direction and force of the blast as evidenced on site
- Ensuing fire, water, or utility damage
Sample wording
A natural gas explosion occurred on premises in the utility room on October 4, 2026. Outward displacement of the utility room wall and the failure pattern of the adjacent window frames indicate the blast originated within that room. No ensuing fire occurred. Gas service was disconnected by the utility on the date of loss. Neighboring properties reported the concussion.
Collapse
What the paragraph must carry
- What abruptly fell in, and the suspected cause
- Whether observable conditions preceded the failure, and for how long
- Whether the remaining structure is safe
Sample wording
The rear porch roof abruptly caved in on July 15, 2026. Sustained water intrusion at the ledger connection produced rot in the supporting members, which failed under their own load. Staining at the ledger indicates the contributing condition existed for a prolonged period prior to the collapse. The remainder of the structure was inspected and remains sound; the porch area is not accessible and has been cordoned off.
Theft
What the paragraph must carry
- Point of entry and how entry was gained
- The police report reference
- Items taken, and forced-entry damage to the structure
Sample wording
Entry was gained by forcing the rear sliding door on June 8, 2026, discovered by the insured on their return the same evening. The responsible party has not been identified. A police report was taken (report 26-71455). The door frame and lock assembly were damaged during entry. A statement of loss for the property taken has been requested from the insured and is pending.
Vandalism or malicious mischief
What the paragraph must carry
- What was damaged and how, without characterizing intent beyond the evidence
- Occupancy status at the time of the act
- Police report reference and any securing performed
Sample wording
The dwelling, unoccupied and listed for sale at the time of loss, was entered and damaged between August 24 and August 26, 2026, discovered by the listing agent. Interior walls were marked with spray paint in three rooms, four interior doors were kicked through, and copper supply lines were cut in the basement, releasing water. The responsible party has not been identified. A police report was taken (report 26-93007) and the structure has since been secured.
Three habits that keep this section clean
- Name the mechanism, not just the damage. "Water staining observed" leaves the peril to the reviewer's imagination; "water entered at the storm-created opening at the rear slope" does not.
- Put the negative on the record. Areas inspected and found undamaged, absent high-water marks, and no prior repair are all findings worth a sentence.
- Stay factual about people. Describe what was reported and what was observed, and never characterize the insured's or a responsible party's intent beyond the evidence.
Guided questions for the peril you select
Snap GLR asks the cause-of-loss questions that fit the peril on your file, carries the claim and coverage figures across from your uploaded estimate, and builds the narrative around your answers. You review and sign every report before it leaves your hands.
These examples are general professional information, not legal advice or carrier guidance. Always follow the reporting requirements and claim handling standards of the carrier or client you are working for, and describe only what you observed.