What do Insurance Adjusters Look for on Roofs?
As a seasoned roofer, you have ample experience dealing with roofer insurance work, insurance claims, and public insurance adjusters. However, not all roofers possess 20 years of experience in this area or have done roofers’ insurance work. If you’re new to the roofing industry, have never worked in roofing companies that work with insurance, or would like to learn more, we recommend that you read up on this subject. Or if you’re a veteran roofer looking for additional information. We can guarantee that this blog will help you, as we gather real information and insights from insurance adjusters who work on roofing claims.
It is crucial to understand what an insurance adjuster looks for during a roof inspection when an insurance claim is filed. Homeowners are already stressed and worried about timelines and potential outcomes, and the last thing they need is a roofer who fights insurance adjusters. So when a storm hits, homeowners turning to insurance companies for help covering the cost of roof repairs or replacement becomes the biggest priority. However, before any claim is approved, an insurance adjuster must inspect the roof and determine if the damage is legitimate and if it’s covered by the homeowner’s insurance policy.
How Insurance Adjusters Inspect Roofs for Recent Roof Damage
If you’re a roofing contractor, understanding what insurance adjusters look for on roofs and how they generally work can help you become a roofing company that works with insurance and guide homeowners through how roof insurance claims work, and help increase your chances of landing the job. After all, any homeowner would be grateful to get their insurance claim approved.
It’s common knowledge that, in the process of roof insurance claims, insurance companies send insurance adjusters to inspect the damage on a roof. But did you know that they are interested in small details? The big and the small carry weight when deciding on a claim. For example:
- Is the damage the homeowner is claiming recent and storm-related?
Was the damage actually caused by the Christmas light installer who damaged the roof last year? How do roof insurance claims work is that the damage claimed has to be from a natural disaster.
Real Insight From an Insurance Adjuster About Hail Storms:
“As an adjuster, I appreciate roofs like I did this afternoon; it allows for a quick 5–10 minute assessment, and I write the estimate. If the presence of hail is undeniable, it will be easier for me to identify it this way.
- Do all the facts and parameters of the damage fall within the scope of the homeowner’s policy?
This may seem simple, but there are some specific details you need to be aware of and familiar with. Here is a breakdown: A typical homeowner’s roof policy includes several features that can encourage a complete replacement after storm damage. First, most policies cover perils such as windstorms, hail, hurricanes, falling trees or debris, fire, lightning, and sometimes the weight of snow or ice—meaning repairs or replacement may be paid for if shingles, decking, or structure are damaged.
If the policy has Replacement Cost Value (RCV) coverage, the insurer pays to replace the roof with new materials of a similar kind and quality, rather than just the depreciated value, which is a major incentive for homeowners. In contrast, some policies only pay Actual Cash Value (ACV), though many insurers offer RCV for newer roofs, usually under 10–15 years old, motivating prompt claims and upgrades. Policies also require deductibles (flat amounts or percentages), and when damage is extensive, replacement is often more cost-effective than repeated repairs. Additionally, many policies include code upgrade coverage, which pays for improvements such as hurricane straps or impact-resistant shingles when required by local building codes.
Finally, insurance usually only covers temporary repairs (like tarping) until a permanent fix is made, which often means homeowners must replace the roof entirely if its integrity is compromised.
Real Insight From an Insurance Adjuster About Causes of Roof Damage:
“As an experienced insurance adjuster, I know how to identify roof damage, and also know how to determine the cause and whether that damage is something your policy has coverage for.”
- If damage is confirmed, does the situation and damage justify a repair or full replacement?
Although there is no definitive percentage rule, a complete roof replacement is frequently more cost-effective than restorations if more than 25-30% of the roof is damaged. The roof damage insurance adjuster will evaluate if there is excessive damage, the roof’s overall age, the degree of moisture damage, and the likelihood of failure of the restorations.
Real Insight From an Insurance Adjuster and When They Request a Roof Replacement:
“I will request complete roof replacements when there is excessive granulation loss, lifting/curling shingles, etc. Signs of advanced wear.”
Everything needs to align just right for roof insurance claims to work. Then the public claims adjuster can approve the roofing claim. As a result, you can see that the insurance agent’s findings often determine how much (if anything) the insurance company will pay out to the homeowner, and you just got your roofer’s insurance work.
Top 5 Things a Roof Damage Insurance Adjuster Focuses On During a Roof Inspection
- Shingle Damage: A Critical Assessment
Roofers’ insurance work consists of thoroughly inspecting your shingles for any signs of compromise, as these are often the first indicators of roof distress.
- Cracks, Bruises, Granule Loss, Curling, or Missing Shingles: Roof damage insurance adjusters look for any visible breaks, indentations, or areas where the protective granules have eroded. Shingles that are curling at the edges or are completely absent leave your roof vulnerable to the elements.
- Signs of Hail Impacts or Wind Uplift: Hail damage typically presents as uniform, circular indentations on shingles. Wind uplift, on the other hand, often manifests as lifted, creased, or torn shingles, particularly along the edges and eaves of the roof.
- Roof Leaks or Water Intrusion: Tracing the Source
An insurance claim adjuster will search for evidence of water intrusion within your home, which is a definitive sign of roof failure and requires immediate attention.
- Stains on the Ceiling or Attic: Discoloration, water rings, or sagging spots on your interior ceilings, particularly in the attic, are strong indicators of a roof leak.
- Damp Underlayment or Signs of Rot: In the attic, inspect the underside of your roof decking and the underlayment. Any dampness, mold growth, or signs of wood rot indicate that water is penetrating the roof system.
- Hail or Wind Damage: Distinguishing the Culprits
Understanding the distinct characteristics of hail versus wind damage is crucial for submitting accurate claims.
- Hail Hits are Typically Uniform and Circular: Hailstones create distinct, often circular, impacts on shingles, which their consistent shape and size can identify.
- Wind Damage May Lift or Crease Shingles at the Edges: Wind exerts upward pressure, causing shingles to lift and crease, which can often result in tearing or detachment, particularly at the edges and corners of the roof.
- Age and Condition of the Roof: Understanding Coverage Limitations
The age and overall condition of your roof significantly impact insurance claim approvals and payouts.
- Older Roofs May Be Excluded from Coverage: Many insurance policies have age limits for complete roof replacement coverage. It’s essential to review your policy to understand these exclusions.
- Excessive Wear May Result in a Partial Payout or Denial: General wear and tear due to age and lack of maintenance are often not fully covered by insurance. Extensive deterioration may lead to a reduced payout or even a denial of your claim.
- Improper Installation or Maintenance: Avoiding Claim Voidance
Faulty installation or a history of neglected maintenance can severely impact the validity of your insurance claim.
- Missing Flashing or Underlayment: Critical components like flashing (which seals roof joints) and underlayment (an additional barrier beneath shingles) are vital for roof integrity. Their absence or improper installation can lead to leaks and claim denials.
- Poor Repairs or Signs of Neglect Can Render a Claim Void: Substandard previous repairs or clear evidence of a lack of routine maintenance can be grounds for an insurance company to deny a claim, arguing that the damage was preventable.
One invaluable tip we’ve gathered directly from insurance adjusters is that providing them with comprehensive access to the entire home significantly streamlines the inspection process. This mainly includes granting them full access to the attic. The ability to thoroughly inspect the attic allows adjusters to identify potential damage, assess the structural integrity of the roof from below, and determine if there are any signs of water intrusion or other issues that might not be visible from the exterior. Restricting access to any part of the property, particularly the attic, can hinder their ability to conduct a complete and accurate assessment, potentially leading to delays in the claims process or an incomplete understanding of the full scope of the damage. Therefore, ensuring adjusters have unrestricted access is crucial for a smooth and efficient claim resolution.
Real Insight From an Insurance Adjuster and Homeowner Support:
“While getting into your attic is not required, it is the easiest way to determine if the claim will apply.”
Common Reasons Roofing Insurance Work Will Get Denied
The truth is that a high percentage of claims get denied. That is why homeowners need to really know what do insurance adjusters look for on roofs to tip the scales to their side with proper documentation and evidence. First, you need a roof report to find out the real dimensions of a roof, (can be ordered here). These roof measurement reports are official, unbiased, and used by both insurance companies, insurance adjusters, and roofers. Here are some common reasons roofing claims are denied, and you should prepare for them:
- The damage isn’t from a “covered peril” (like hail or wind).
- The roof is too old, and the actual damage is due to the wear and tear of the years.
- The adjuster believes the damage is from poor maintenance.
Lack of documentation or before-and-after photos. This one is avoidable, and it is great since a roof report contains the images required for the roof claim.
So what’s good roof documentation?
This is the importance of having a roof measurement report. These roof reports provide an objective, unbiased dimension of the roof, ideally from companies that work with insurance companies and roof damage insurance adjusters, as well as roofing contractors like yourself.
In case your claim is denied, there are usually no formal procedures for appealing. But does that not mean you have to accept the outcome of the first inspection? You can always request another inspection or hire your appraiser to work together to reach a mutually agreeable solution.
Real Insight From an Insurance Adjuster and Denied Roofing Claims:
“There’s no formal ‘appeals’ process for claims, at least not through the insurance company itself. If an adjuster denies the claim in a formal letter, it means their manager has already reviewed the facts and approved the decision. At that point, your only real option is to invoke the appraisal process, if your policy allows it.”
During the Insurance Claim Meeting - the Do’s and Don’ts
“Dos” – a must-read before any meeting with a roof claims adjuster
- Show up early. And set up your roofing ladder. Claims adjusters have a busy schedule, so don’t start on the wrong foot by upsetting them.
- On rare occasions when you need to point out roof damage to the insurance adjuster, the best approach is to pose it as a question: “Hey, what do you think of this?”
- Kill the claims adjuster with kindness. You will develop a reputation as one of the good roofers, and your roofing company logo will be seen positively. Never try to fight with the insurance adjuster for approval; it won’t happen. It will just make things worse.
- Offer assistance. Let them know that you’re there since you have an agreement with the homeowner. I’m here to help. But I know and respect your position. I’m here as a second set of hands and eyes in case you need anything. But don’t be too pushy.
- Be a positive mediator of information and explanations. Always have an approach that roofers and claims adjusters are on the same team. When roofing contractors and insurance companies collaborate, it expedites the repair process and ensures fair compensation for the homeowner.
- Offer clear info that helps the adjuster. Having a roof measurement report from iRoofing will help you offer the most accurate numbers to the roofing claims adjuster.
- If possible, find any images before the damage or the storm. iRoofReports are perfect and can help provide pre-damage HD images of the roof.
“Don’ts” – what won’t work with a roof damage insurance adjuster
- Set Clear expectations for the homeowner. Don’t guarantee anything to the homeowner, as this can lead to miscommunication. Not every claim gets approved, even for roofing companies that work with insurance.
- Don’t chalk anything often; insurance companies will not take pictures of roofs that are marked and chalked.
- Don’t attempt to use the insurance claims adjuster’s roof ladder without permission. This can bother them since most can’t allow you to use the ladder for liability reasons.
- Don’t assume a Roof adjuster will see damage like you do. Avoid making it a habit of pointing out damage to the claims adjuster, as it can escalate into an ego confrontation and a verbal fight with the insurance adjuster.
So the reason these dos and don’ts are gold is because roofers have learned the hard way not to fight insurance adjusters. The consequences are not positive. Roofing companies that work with insurance adjusters often understand that the best outcomes result from working cohesively with a roof damage insurance adjuster.
How Roofers Can Further Help Homeowners in Roof Insurance Claims
As a roofer, you’re on the front lines. Helping your clients gather documentation and understand the process can make a big difference. Using the right roofing software for a roof inspection report will help make the roofer’s insurance work seamless and more straightforward.
Tips for Roofers:
- Take high-quality images. Having images of before/after photos of roof work is crucial.
- Document dates of damage. You can also document what you noticed was damaged and requires repair.
- Highlight storm paths in your area. Being able to prove that the homeowner’s home was in the path of the storm or natural disaster is key.
- Provide clear reports that include measurements, photos, and detailed descriptions.
- Eliminate go-backs – take advantage of iRR 99% Roof Measurement Report Accuracy Guaranteed.
Insurance adjusters have a job to do, but roofing companies that work with insurance adjusters can play a key role in helping homeowners get the coverage they deserve. By understanding what adjusters are looking for and providing them with reliable documentation, you can expedite approvals and establish trust with your customers.
With iRoofing, you’re not just providing measurements to homeowners, you’re providing peace of mind. Help bring clarity and confidence to a complicated process.
