What Happens at a Roof Insurance Adjuster Meeting, and Should Your Roofer Be There?

Here is the question: “What happens at the adjuster meeting, and should my roofer be there?”

For most homeowners this is the part of a claim that feels the most uncertain. A stranger is going to walk your roof, and what they write down shapes what happens next.

It helps to know what the visit actually is. Here is what to expect, how to get ready, and what a roofer should and should not do while the adjuster is there.

Who is the adjuster, and what is their job?

The adjuster is the person your insurance company sends to inspect the damage. Their job is to look at the roof, record what they find, and report it to your insurance company.

Some adjusters are employees of the insurance company. Others are independent adjusters hired to help after a big storm. Either way, they are working for your insurance company on this visit.

Most adjusters we meet are professionals doing a hard job on a tight schedule. After a hailstorm they may have many roofs to see in a week. Treat the meeting as a working visit, not a confrontation.

What does the adjuster do during the visit?

Most roof inspections follow the same pattern.

1. A short talk with you. They confirm the claim, the storm date, and what you have noticed.
2. A walk around the house. They look at gutters, downspouts, window screens, siding, fences, and other things at ground level. Dents and marks on soft metal help show what the storm did.
3. Time on the roof. They look at each slope, plus vents, flashing, and other roof parts. For hail, many adjusters mark off a test square on each slope, often 10 feet by 10 feet, and count the hits inside it.
4. Photos and measurements. They photograph what they find. They may measure the roof by hand or use a measurement report made from aerial images.
5. A wrap-up. Some adjusters tell you what they saw. Others say you will hear back in writing.

Not every visit includes all five. Some insurance companies use ladder assist crews or drones for steep roofs. Ask the adjuster what to expect when they call to schedule.

Should you be there?

Yes, if you can. You know your home, and you may have seen things the adjuster would not know to look for, such as a new ceiling stain or shingle pieces in the yard after the storm.

Being there also means you hear the next steps firsthand. You can ask your questions while the adjuster is standing in front of you.

If you cannot be home, tell the adjuster ahead of time and ask whether your roofer can meet them at the property.

Should your roofer be there?

Yes. A roofer who has already inspected the roof saves everyone time.

Here is why it helps. The adjuster has limited time on a roof they have never seen. Your roofer has already been up there and has dated photos of each slope. When the two walk the roof together, the roofer can show where they found damage, and the adjuster can look at those spots and decide for themselves.

A roofer can also answer building questions on the spot. How many layers are on the roof? What kind of decking is under it? Is that vent a current part or an older one? Those answers help the estimate describe the roof correctly.

That is the whole role: show what was documented and answer questions about the roof.

What can a roofer do at the meeting, and what is off limits?

This line matters, and a good roofer stays on the right side of it. In Utah, negotiating or settling a claim on behalf of a policyholder is insurance adjusting, and it requires a license (Utah Code 31A-26-102 and 31A-26-201). Roofers are not public adjusters.

Be careful with any roofer who says they will “handle the insurance company for you” or guarantees a result. No contractor can promise what an insurance company will decide.

How do you get ready for the meeting?

A little preparation makes the visit go faster.

• Have your claim number and the storm date. If you are not sure of the date, say so.
• Gather your photos. Include anything you took right after the storm.
• Clear the way. Move cars from the driveway, unlock gates, and put pets inside.
• Make the attic reachable if you have seen a leak or a stain.
• Do not make permanent repairs first. The Utah Insurance Department advises making the repairs needed to prevent further damage, holding off on permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected, and saving all receipts. Take photos before and after. See what to do about an emergency roof leak.
• Tell your roofer the date and time as soon as it is set.

What should you ask the adjuster?

• When will I hear the decision, and how will it come?
• Will the estimate be mailed, emailed, or posted online?
• Who do I call with questions after today?
• If my roofer finds something later that is not listed, how should the documentation be sent to you?
• Is there a deadline to finish the work?

Write down the adjuster’s name, phone number, and the date of the visit.

What happens after the meeting?

Your insurance company reviews the adjuster’s report and sends you a decision. If the claim is approved, you receive an estimate that lists the work and the payment amounts.

That document has its own vocabulary. Our guide on how to read a roof insurance estimate explains RCV, ACV, depreciation, and what you pay.

If you have a mortgage, the check may also have your lender’s name on it. Here is what to do when your mortgage company is on the check.

If the claim is not approved and you believe something was not seen, you can ask your insurance company to take another look. That request is yours to make. We can provide the photos and documentation from our inspection. The Utah Insurance Department also helps homeowners who have questions about a claim, at 801-957-9305.

What does Homer Roofing do at the adjuster meeting?

We have worked with Utah homeowners on storm claims since 2003, and attending the adjuster meeting is a standard part of how we help. There is no charge for it.

Before the meeting, we inspect your roof and take dated photos of what we find. At the meeting, we show up on time, walk the roof with the adjuster, show what we documented, and answer questions about the roof. Afterward, we explain what happened in plain words.

We do not negotiate your claim. If our inspection shows your roof does not have storm damage worth a claim, we tell you that before you ever file. You can read more about how we help with insurance claims.

Key Takeaways

• The adjuster works for your insurance company. Their job is to inspect and report.
• Expect a walk around the house, time on the roof, photos, and measurements.
• Be there if you can, and have your claim number and storm date ready.
• A roofer at the meeting can show documentation and answer questions about the roof.
• A roofer cannot negotiate your claim or promise a result.
• The decision usually comes in writing after the visit.
• Ask the adjuster how and when you will hear back.

FAQ

What happens at a roof insurance adjuster meeting?

The adjuster inspects your roof and the outside of your home, takes photos and measurements, and records what they find for your insurance company. Most visits include a walk around the house, time on the roof, and a short talk with you. The written decision and estimate usually come later, not at the meeting.

Should my roofer be at the adjuster meeting?

Yes, it helps to have your roofer there. A roofer who has already inspected the roof can show the adjuster the photos and the spots they documented, and can answer questions about the roof. Your roofer cannot negotiate the claim or tell the adjuster what your policy pays for.

Should I be home for the adjuster’s inspection?

Yes, be there if you can. You can point out what you have noticed, share the storm date, and hear what the adjuster says about next steps. You can also ask questions while they are on site.

How long does a roof adjuster inspection take?

Plan on about an hour for a roof inspection by an adjuster. A simple roof can go faster. A large or steep roof, or damage to siding, gutters, and windows, can take two hours or more. Ask the adjuster how much time to plan for when they schedule the visit.

Will the adjuster tell me if my claim is approved at the meeting?

Sometimes, but do not count on it. Many adjusters share what they saw and then send the decision and the estimate in writing afterward. Ask the adjuster when and how you will hear back.

Can a roofer negotiate with the insurance adjuster for me?

No. In Utah, negotiating or settling a claim for a policyholder is insurance adjusting, and it requires a license under Utah Code 31A-26-201. A roofer can document the roof, attend the inspection, and provide information. The claim is between you and your insurance company.

What should I have ready for the adjuster meeting?

Have your claim number, the date of the storm, and any photos you took. Clear access to the roof, the attic, and the sides of the house. If your roofer inspected the roof first, have their photos and notes on hand too.

This article is general education. It is not legal advice and it does not review your insurance policy. Homer Roofing is a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster. Your insurance company and your policy decide what is paid.