Insurance Adjuster Roof Inspection: What Contractors Should Watch For

The adjuster inspection is where the scope of loss is decided. What gets seen and written down there is what gets paid, and what gets missed becomes a supplement later or lost revenue. Being prepared for it protects the whole job.

Be There

Attend the inspection whenever the homeowner agrees. You know the roof, you can point out damage, and you can make sure every slope and detail is actually looked at rather than assumed.

Document Everything Yourself

• Photos of every slope, edge, valley, and penetration.
• Close ups of damage with a reference for scale.
• Test squares for hail where applicable, marked and photographed.
• Collateral damage: gutters, screens, soft metals, siding, AC fins.
• Existing code issues: missing drip edge, missing ice and water shield, inadequate ventilation.

What Adjusters Commonly Miss

Steep or hard to access slopes, collateral damage, code required items, flashing condition, and the labor adjustments for pitch and height. Point them out during the inspection and make sure they are noted.

Get the Scope in Writing

Ask for the full written scope of loss as soon as it is available. Do not start work from a verbal summary. The written scope is what you compare against and what your supplement references.

Compare Immediately

Review the scope against your own documentation while the job is fresh. The sooner gaps are identified, the cleaner the supplement and the faster the resolution. Our guide to writing a roofing supplement covers the next step.

Keep It Professional

Adjusters respond to documentation and clarity, not pressure. A contractor who shows up prepared, photographs thoroughly, and communicates plainly gets more items approved with less friction.

The Bottom Line

Attend, document, get it in writing, and compare fast. The inspection is not the end of the claim. It is the baseline you build the accurate scope from.

Reading and comparing scopes at speed is what AI document processing is built for.