Working with Insurance Adjusters After Roof Damage

Storm damage to your roof is stressful enough without the added complexity of navigating insurance claims. The adjuster who inspects your damage represents your insurance company—not you. Understanding how to work with adjusters effectively can mean the difference between a fair settlement that covers proper repairs and a frustrating denial that leaves you paying out of pocket.

Understanding Insurance Adjusters

Before interacting with adjusters, understand their role and motivations:

Types of Adjusters

Staff Adjusters:

• Employees of your insurance company
• Handle claims full-time for one insurer
• Generally well-trained and consistent
• May have settlement authority limits

Independent Adjusters:

• Contract with multiple insurance companies
• Often deployed after major storms when volume is high
• Quality varies more widely
• May be less familiar with local conditions

Public Adjusters:

• Work for YOU, not the insurance company
• Licensed professionals who advocate for policyholders
• Charge a percentage of your settlement (typically 10-20%)
• Discussed more in our public adjuster guide

The Adjuster's Job

Insurance adjusters are tasked with:

• Determining if damage is covered under your policy
• Assessing the scope of damage
• Estimating repair costs using insurance industry pricing
• Processing claims within company guidelines

Their performance is often measured partly on keeping claim costs reasonable. This doesn't make them adversaries, but it does mean their interests don't perfectly align with yours.

Before the Adjuster Arrives

Preparation significantly affects claim outcomes:

Document Everything

Photographic Evidence:

• Take extensive photos before anything is cleaned or repaired
• Document all visible damage from multiple angles
• Include wide shots showing context and close-ups showing detail
• Photograph debris that caused damage if still present
• Document interior damage (water stains, ceiling damage)
• Include date and time stamps

Written Records:

• Note when damage occurred
• Record weather conditions (wind speeds, hail size from weather service)
• List all areas of damage you've identified
• Document any temporary repairs made

Make Temporary Repairs

You have a duty to mitigate further damage:

• Tarp damaged areas to prevent water intrusion
• Place buckets under active leaks
• Move belongings away from damaged areas
• Save all receipts—these are reimbursable
• Take photos of temporary repairs

Get a Professional Inspection

Before the adjuster arrives, have a licensed roofing contractor inspect your roof:

• Professional eyes often spot damage homeowners miss
• Contractor can document damage in detail
• You'll have your own estimate for comparison
• Your contractor can attend the adjuster visit

At Pro Specialty Services, we provide free insurance claim inspections. Having professional documentation strengthens your position.

Review Your Policy

Know your coverage before the adjuster arrives:

• Coverage limits and deductibles
• What's covered and what's excluded
• Replacement cost vs. actual cash value provisions
• Hurricane/windstorm deductible specifics

During the Adjuster's Visit

The inspection itself is critical. Here's how to handle it:

Be Present

Always attend the adjuster's inspection:

• Point out all damage you've identified
• Ask questions about what they're documenting
• Ensure nothing is overlooked
• Get the adjuster's contact information

Have Your Contractor Present

If possible, have your roofing contractor attend:

• Contractor can identify damage adjuster might miss
• Professional-to-professional discussion often more productive
• Creates a collaborative rather than adversarial dynamic
• Contractor can explain why certain repairs are necessary

Walk the Entire Property

Don't let inspection be rushed:

• Inspect entire roof, not just obviously damaged areas
• Check all flashing, vents, and penetrations
• Examine gutters, downspouts, and fascia
• Look at siding and windows for damage
• Inspect interior for water damage evidence

Ask Questions

Get clarity during the visit:

• What damage are you documenting?
• What do you think caused this damage?
• Are there areas you're not covering? Why?
• When will I receive the estimate?
• What's the next step in the process?

Don't Sign a Final Settlement

The adjuster may present a settlement on the spot:

• You're not obligated to accept immediately
• Request written estimate to review first
• Compare to your contractor's estimate before accepting
• Never sign a release until you're satisfied with the settlement

Common Adjuster Tactics and Responses

Know what to expect and how to respond:

Attributing Damage to Wear and Tear

The Tactic: Adjuster claims damage is from age or lack of maintenance, not the storm.

Your Response:

• Pre-storm photos showing roof in good condition
• Contractor documentation of storm-specific damage patterns
• Weather data showing storm conditions
• Point out that wear doesn't explain sudden onset after storm

Minimizing Scope of Damage

The Tactic: Adjuster only documents part of the damage, claiming rest is unrelated.

Your Response:

• Insist all damaged areas be documented
• Have contractor point out what was missed
• Request re-inspection if necessary
• Document what adjuster refused to include

Using Low-Cost Estimates

The Tactic: Using unrealistically low labor or material costs in estimate.

Your Response:

• Provide contractor estimates showing actual local costs
• Research current material prices
• Request adjuster use regional cost data
• Dispute estimate with documented evidence

Offering Quick Settlement

The Tactic: Pressure to accept settlement quickly before fully assessing damage.

Your Response:

• Don't rush—take time to evaluate
• Hidden damage often emerges later
• You can file supplemental claims if needed
• Quick acceptance may waive rights to additional payment

Denying Based on Cosmetic Damage Exclusion

The Tactic: Claiming damage is "cosmetic only" and not covered.

Your Response:

• Request specific policy language being cited
• Have contractor explain functional impacts
• Document how "cosmetic" damage may lead to future problems
• Challenge narrow interpretation of exclusions

After the Adjuster's Visit

The process continues after the inspection:

Review the Estimate Carefully

When you receive the adjuster's estimate:

• Compare line-by-line to your contractor's estimate
• Note any missing items or discrepancies
• Check material and labor pricing against local market
• Verify measurements match actual roof

Dispute Inadequate Estimates

If the estimate is insufficient:

• Request itemized comparison showing differences
• Provide contractor documentation supporting higher amounts
• Ask for re-inspection to address missed items
• Escalate to claims supervisor if needed

File Supplemental Claims

Hidden damage often emerges during repairs:

• Water-damaged decking discovered after shingles removed
• Additional structural damage not visible initially
• Interior damage that develops over time

File supplements promptly with documentation. Insurance must consider additional legitimate damage.

Consider Appraisal

If you can't agree on claim value:

• Most policies have an appraisal clause
• Each party selects an appraiser
• Appraisers select an umpire if needed
• Less formal and expensive than litigation
• Often produces fair resolution

Documentation Best Practices

Good documentation supports better outcomes:

Create a Claim File

Organize all related documents:

• Claim number and all correspondence
• Photos with dates
• Contractor estimates and reports
• Adjuster's estimates and communications
• Receipts for temporary repairs
• Weather reports documenting storm

Communicate in Writing

Document important communications:

• Follow phone conversations with confirming emails
• Request decisions and explanations in writing
• Keep copies of everything you send
• Note dates and names of everyone you speak with

Track Deadlines

Insurance claims have time limits:

• Initial claim filing deadlines
• Response timeframes for disputes
• Supplemental claim submission windows
• Policy provisions for claim timing

Working with Your Contractor

Your roofing contractor is a valuable ally in the claims process:

What Good Contractors Provide

Contractors experienced in storm damage restoration offer:

• Detailed damage documentation
• Accurate repair estimates
• Attendance at adjuster inspections
• Supplemental claim support
• Communication with adjusters

What Contractors Cannot Do

Be wary of contractors who:

• Promise specific claim outcomes
• Offer to waive your deductible (this is illegal)
• Pressure you to sign before inspection
• Won't provide written estimates
• Have no local presence or references

The Ideal Relationship

The best contractor-homeowner relationship for claims:

• Contractor provides professional documentation
• Homeowner remains the policy holder dealing with insurer
• Contractor attends inspections and provides expertise
• Homeowner makes final decisions about settlements

When to Escalate

Know when to take additional steps:

Contact Supervisors

If you're not getting fair treatment:

• Request supervisor review of denied or underpaid claims
• Escalate in writing with documentation
• Keep communication professional

Involve State Regulators

Florida's Department of Financial Services:

• Handles insurance complaints
• Can investigate unfair claim practices
• May facilitate resolution
• At minimum, creates documented complaint

Consider Legal Help

Consult an attorney when:

• Claim is wrongfully denied
• Settlement is grossly inadequate
• Insurer is acting in bad faith
• You've exhausted other options

Many insurance attorneys work on contingency, making legal help accessible even when funds are tight.

The Bottom Line

Working with insurance adjusters doesn't have to be adversarial, but it does require preparation and advocacy. Document everything, know your policy, have professional support, and don't accept inadequate settlements without challenge.

At Pro Specialty Services, we guide Lake County homeowners through the insurance claim process daily. We provide thorough damage documentation, attend adjuster inspections, and advocate for fair settlements. Our goal is ensuring your roof is properly repaired, not just minimally addressed.

Dealing with storm damage? Contact us for a free claim inspection. We'll document damage, provide accurate estimates, and help you navigate the process to a fair resolution.