Guide for roofing contractors
The adjuster meeting checklist for roofers.
A lot of roof claims die at the adjuster meeting. Most of them were lost before the adjuster parked the truck.
Short answer
Show up 90 minutes early with the storm report in hand. Chalk a 10 by 10 test square on every slope and write the count. Walk the collateral damage first. Stay professional and stick to facts. Send the adjuster a recap within one hour.
The night before
- Confirm the date of loss matches a verified storm report for that address.
- Save the storm report, your photo set and your scope where you can pull them up fast.
- Confirm the time with the homeowner. Ask them to be home.
- Know what you are claiming and what you are not.
Before the adjuster arrives
- Get there 90 minutes early.
- Set your ladder.
- Chalk a 10 by 10 test square on every slope. Circle each hit. Write the count and the direction the slope faces inside the square.
- Mark collateral damage on soft metals: gutters, downspouts, vents, flashing, window wraps, the AC unit.
- Photograph everything you marked before anyone else touches it.
When the adjuster shows up
- Greet them like a pro. You are both there to look at the same roof.
- Start on the ground with the collateral. Soft metal tells the story before anyone climbs.
- Then go up. Show your squares. Let the adjuster mark their own.
- Put your chalk next to theirs and photograph both.
- Point at damage. Do not argue coverage.
Three questions to ask before they leave
- What did you see up there today?
- Is there anything else you need from me or the homeowner?
- What happens next, and when should the homeowner hear back?
Write the answers down while you are still in the driveway.
Within one hour
- Send the adjuster a short recap: what you both looked at, the counts and the photos. Polite and factual.
- Update the homeowner in plain words. No promises.
- Log the meeting: date, time, who was there and what was said.
What kills a meeting
- Showing up late, or after the adjuster is already on the roof.
- No test squares. No counts.
- A coin or any other object set on the roof for a photo. Chalk only.
- Arguing the policy. That is not your job, and in most states it is not legal for a contractor.
- Telling the homeowner it is a done deal.
Missing evidence is easier to fix before the meeting than after it. See how to document hail damage. If the meeting already went badly, see what to do when a roof claim is denied or underpaid.
Questions roofers ask
Should the roofer be at the adjuster meeting?
Yes. The contractor who inspected the roof knows where the damage is. Be there 90 minutes early and be professional.
What is a test square on a roof?
A 10 foot by 10 foot area marked on a roof slope with chalk. Hail hits inside it are circled and counted. Adjusters use the count to judge the slope.
How many hail hits does an adjuster need to see in a test square?
It varies by carrier and by adjuster. Mark every slope and write down the real count. Never add to it.
What should the recap to the adjuster say?
Thank them, list what you both looked at, give the test square counts and attach the photos. Keep it short and factual. Send it within an hour.
Score the claim before the meeting.
Ten quick questions. See what is strong and what to fix before the adjuster sees it.
General information for contractors. Not legal or insurance advice. Rules differ by state and by policy. A Closability Score is not a guarantee of approval. The carrier decides the claim.