How do you talk to an insurance adjuster about roof damage?
Short answer. Stick to facts you know: the storm date, what you saw and when, and what you did to protect the house. Do not guess about the roof's age, its prior condition or the cause of damage. Let the evidence and your roofer's documentation speak, and ask that every decision be put in writing.
Things worth saying
- The date and time of the storm and what you observed: hail size on the ground, wind, water coming in.
- Where damage shows up: ceiling stains, shingles in the yard, dented gutters.
- That your roofer has documented the roof, will be present, and has photos available.
- Questions: "Which slopes did you check?" "How many hits did you count per square?" "Is this a repair or a replacement estimate?"
Things to avoid
- Guessing. "It might have been leaking before" or "the roof is probably 20 years old" becomes part of the file. If you do not know, say so and offer to find out.
- Arguing on the roof. Disagreements land better later, in writing, with photos attached.
- Unprepared recorded statements. You can ask what topics will be covered and take time to gather dates before giving one.
- Agreeing to a number on the spot. Ask for the full written estimate first.
Tone
Be polite and cooperative. Adjusters handle many claims after a storm, and an organized homeowner with dates and photos gets a smoother claim. Courteous is not the same as agreeable, though: follow every phone call with a short email summarizing what was said and what happens next.
A roofer who attends can handle the technical details while you speak to what you saw. Robust Roofing's adjuster meeting guide explains how that split works. See also how to prepare for the inspection and what adjusters look for.