What an Adjuster Is There to Do
An adjuster's job is to inspect the damage, determine what likely caused it, and record findings that match your policy's terms. They're trained professionals, and most are fair, but they're paid by and report to the insurance company. Understanding that upfront isn't cynical — it's just accurate, and it explains why the paperwork matters more than the conversation.
The Written Scope of Work Is the Claim
Here's the part that catches people off guard: whatever an adjuster says while standing on the roof doesn't decide anything. The claim is decided by the written scope of work they file afterward. If something the adjuster verbally acknowledged doesn't make it into that document, it generally doesn't get paid — regardless of what was said in person.
What Happens During the Inspection
Adjusters commonly use a method called "test squares" for hail damage — marking off a specific section of roof and counting impact marks within it, rather than trying to assess the entire surface impact by impact. The logic is that a representative sample tells them enough about the whole roof without needing to inspect every square foot individually. They'll often want attic access too, since water intrusion and structural signs are sometimes easier to spot from underneath than from on top of the roof. Restricting that access can slow the process or leave the assessment incomplete — it's not a required step, but skipping it usually works against the homeowner, not for them.
Why Having a Contractor There Helps
Having a roofing contractor present at the adjuster meeting means the damage gets documented from two perspectives at the same time, not just one. A contractor can answer technical questions the adjuster raises, point out things that might otherwise get missed, and help make sure the written scope of work reflects the full extent of the damage — not because adjusters are trying to shortchange anyone, but because a single pass by one person, however professional, can miss things a second set of trained eyes catches. This is also exactly the kind of documentation support we offer directly, without inflating what's there — see our Insurance Claims page for more on that approach.
What This Means Practically for Homeowners
- Clear the yard and any pathways before the adjuster arrives — this sounds minor, but it genuinely speeds things up and lets them assess more thoroughly.
- Be honest and straightforward, and don't feel pressure to sound like a roofing expert. You're not expected to be one — that's what the inspection and any contractor present are for.
- Consider having your contractor meet the adjuster on-site. It's a normal, common practice, not an adversarial move — our Insurance Claims page covers this approach in more detail.
- Point out anything you've noticed, even if it seems small. The goal isn't to build a case — it's making sure nothing gets missed in the one pass the adjuster gets.