What to Expect When the Insurance Adjuster Inspects Your Roof

The insurance adjuster visit is the single most important moment in your roof claim. What the adjuster documents - or fails to document - determines your initial settlement offer. A well-prepared homeowner who has a roofing contractor present typically receives a materially higher settlement than one who shows up alone with no documentation.

This guide tells you exactly what to expect before, during, and after the adjuster inspection - including what adjusters look for, how long the visit takes, what to have ready, and what to do if your damage is missed or your offer comes in too low.

What Type of Adjuster Will Inspect Your Roof?

Not all adjusters are the same - and the type assigned to your claim affects how the inspection goes:

• Staff adjuster (company adjuster): A full-time employee of your insurance company. They handle the inspection directly and have authority to approve or deny your claim. Most common for routine claims.
• Independent adjuster (IA): A licensed adjuster contracted by your insurer to handle claims during high-volume periods - typically after a major storm event. They work on behalf of the insurer, not you. May be less familiar with local roofing conditions and material pricing.
• Desk adjuster (virtual adjuster): Reviews your claim remotely using photos, satellite imagery, and documentation without visiting your property. Increasingly common for minor claims. Higher risk of missed damage since they never physically examine your roof.
• Public adjuster: Works for YOU, not the insurer. You hire and pay a public adjuster (typically 10-15% of settlement) to advocate for the highest possible settlement. Most valuable on complex or high-value claims.

Before the Adjuster Arrives: 5 Things to Have Ready

Preparation before the visit can increase your settlement significantly. Have these five items ready before your adjuster arrives:

The Single Most Important Step: Have Your Contractor Present

An experienced roofing contractor present during the adjuster inspection is the most valuable thing you can do for your claim. Contractors who regularly work insurance claims know:

• Where to look for collateral damage (gutters, HVAC units, window screens, fascia, skylights) that adjusters routinely miss
• How to identify and point out hail hits on test squares that meet the threshold for functional damage
• What code upgrade items apply to your local jurisdiction
• How to read the Xactimate estimate and identify missing line items on the spot

A contractor who understands your local damage patterns and insurer tendencies is far more valuable than arriving alone. For more on identifying what storm damage looks like, see our guide to signs of hail damage on a roof.

During the Inspection: What the Adjuster Is Looking For

A standard in-person roof inspection takes 45 to 90 minutes. Here is what the adjuster will typically examine:

Test Squares

Adjusters use a method called "test squares" to assess hail damage. They mark off a 10x10 foot (100 square foot) section of the roof and count the number of hail hits within that area. Industry standard is that 8 or more hits per 100 square feet in a representative sample indicates functional damage to the entire slope. Your contractor should be watching to ensure the test squares are placed representatively - not in the least-damaged areas.

What Adjusters Document on the Roof

• Shingle bruising, cracking, or granule loss consistent with hail impact
• Missing or lifted shingles from wind damage
• Damaged ridge cap, hip ridge, and starter strip
• Condition of pipe boots, vents, and flashing
• Exposed or cracked underlayment
• Any structural deck damage visible from surface or attic

Collateral Damage Check

A thorough adjuster will also check non-roof surfaces for evidence of the same storm event - dented gutters, dented HVAC condenser fins, pitted window screens, and damaged siding. This "collateral damage" serves two purposes: it corroborates the storm event and may be separately covered under your policy. Your contractor should walk the property with the adjuster to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Xactimate Estimate Generation

The adjuster takes measurements, notes all damage, and inputs the data into Xactimate software - either on-site with a tablet or back at the office. Xactimate generates a line-item estimate for every component of the repair or replacement. This becomes the insurer's initial settlement position.

What NOT to Do During the Adjuster Visit

• Do not make permanent repairs before the inspection. Once the old shingles are gone, documenting the original damage becomes much harder. Make only emergency temporary repairs (tarps) until after the adjuster visit.
• Do not sign anything on the spot. Some adjusters may present a settlement release or authorization form at the inspection. Do not sign anything that closes your claim until you have reviewed the written estimate in full.
• Do not accept a verbal estimate as final. Get everything in writing. The written Xactimate report is the binding document - not anything said during the visit.
• Do not assume the adjuster found everything. Even thorough adjusters miss items. You have the right to review the estimate and dispute missing items through a supplement or re-inspection.
• Do not agree to waive your re-inspection rights. If you disagree with the scope, you are entitled to request a re-inspection or invoke the appraisal clause in your policy.

After the Inspection: What Happens Next

After the in-person visit, expect to receive the written Xactimate estimate within 7 to 14 business days. Some insurers issue it faster; after major regional storms with high claim volume, it may take longer.

When the estimate arrives, review it with your contractor immediately. Compare it line by line against the contractor's scope of work. Common missing items include ice-and-water shield, ridge cap, permit fees, code upgrade items, and collateral damage to gutters or soffits.

What to Do If the Adjuster Missed Damage

If your contractor identifies significant damage not included in the adjuster's estimate, your contractor can submit a supplemental claim - a written request with documentation (photos, measurements, line items) to add the missed items to the settlement. Most legitimate supplements are reviewed and accepted within 2-4 weeks.

If the supplement is denied or the gap is substantial, you have additional options: a re-inspection by a different adjuster, invoking the appraisal clause (which brings in a neutral appraiser), filing a complaint with your state insurance commissioner, or consulting a public adjuster or insurance attorney.

For detailed negotiation tactics, see our guide on how to negotiate a roof insurance claim. For questions about what your policy covers and how the claims process works, visit the FreeRoofPros FAQ.

Action Checklist: Preparing for Your Adjuster Visit

• Schedule your licensed roofing contractor to be present at the same time as the adjuster - confirm this when you book the inspection.
• Have your policy documents, claim number, and deductible amount ready before the visit.
• Provide your contractor's written damage report to the adjuster at the start of the inspection.
• Walk the entire property with the adjuster and contractor - do not let the adjuster inspect the roof alone.
• Ask the adjuster directly: what is your scope, what will you include, and when will I receive the written estimate?
• Do not sign any release or settlement agreement at the inspection without reviewing the full written estimate first.
• When the estimate arrives, compare it line by line to your contractor's scope and note any discrepancies immediately.
• If damage is missing from the estimate, have your contractor file a formal supplement within 30 days of receiving the estimate.
• Note your state's re-inspection and lawsuit deadlines so you know how much time you have to dispute a low offer.