What tasks does a roof insurance claim adjuster handle?
Short answer. A roof claim adjuster reviews your policy and deductible, investigates the cause and date of damage, inspects and measures the roof, writes and prices the estimate, calculates payment, and handles later supplements and depreciation releases. Behind the scenes, the adjuster also documents the file, sets the claim's reserve, and routes larger amounts to a supervisor for approval.
Coverage tasks
- Pull the policy, declarations page and endorsements, including any ACV roof or payment schedule endorsement.
- Confirm the deductible type: a flat amount, or a percentage for wind and hail.
- Check the date of loss against the policy period and any prior claims on the roof.
Investigation tasks
- Verify the storm with weather data for your address and date.
- Separate storm damage from wear, installation defects and prior damage.
- Decide whether an engineer or other specialist is needed.
Field tasks
- Photograph the property, test squares, wind damage, collateral damage and interior stains.
- Measure the roof or order an aerial measurement report, and record pitch, layers and components.
Estimating and payment tasks
- Build the estimate line by line in estimating software; see Xactimate roof estimates explained.
- Apply depreciation, the deductible and any prior payments.
- Name the correct payees, including the mortgage company; see mortgage company on the check.
File and follow-up tasks
- Set and adjust the claim reserve, the insurer's internal estimate of what the claim will cost.
- Write file notes and send you the estimate and letters.
- Review supplements, schedule reinspections, and release recoverable depreciation after completion.
Independent adjusters can carry a heavy load of files after a major storm, so a complete, organized packet from you and your roofer gets handled faster than one built from scattered emails and texts.