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. Knowing that upfront explains why the paperwork matters more than the conversation.
The Written Scope of Work Is the Claim
Whatever an adjuster says while standing on the roof doesn't decide anything, and that catches a lot of people off guard. The claim is decided by the written scope of work they file afterward. If something the adjuster acknowledged out loud doesn't make it into that document, it generally doesn't get paid.
What Happens During the Inspection
Adjusters commonly use a method called "test squares" for hail damage. They mark off a specific section of roof and count the impact marks inside it instead of assessing the whole surface impact by impact. A representative sample tells them enough about the whole roof without inspecting every square foot. They'll often want attic access too, since water intrusion and structural signs are sometimes easier to spot from underneath. Attic access isn't a required step, but restricting it can slow the process or leave the assessment incomplete, and that usually works against the homeowner.
Why Having a Contractor There Helps
Having a roofing contractor at the adjuster meeting means the damage gets documented from two perspectives at once. A contractor can answer the adjuster's technical questions, point out things that might get missed, and help make sure the written scope of work reflects the full extent of the damage. Adjusters aren't trying to shortchange anyone. One person making one pass, however professional, can still miss things a second set of trained eyes will catch. This is 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. It sounds minor, but it speeds things up and lets them assess more thoroughly.
- Be honest and direct, and don't feel pressure to sound like a roofing expert. Nobody expects you 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 and isn't an adversarial move. Our Insurance Claims page covers this approach in more detail.
- Point out anything you've noticed, even if it seems small. You aren't building a case. You're making sure nothing gets missed in the one pass the adjuster gets.