Guide for roofing contractors
Roofer or public adjuster: who can do what on a roof claim.
Three kinds of people touch a roof claim. Know which one you are.
Short answer
The carrier adjuster works for the insurance company. A public adjuster is licensed by the state and works for the homeowner. A roofer inspects, documents, prices and builds. In most states a roofer cannot negotiate the claim or interpret the policy. Rules differ by state, so check yours.
The three roles
| Role | Works for | What they do |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier adjuster, staff or independent | The insurance company | Inspects the loss, writes the estimate and recommends or decides payment under the policy. |
| Public adjuster | The policyholder | Licensed by the state. Prepares and negotiates the claim for the homeowner, usually for a percentage of the payout. |
| Roofing contractor | The homeowner, as the builder | Inspects, documents the damage, writes the scope and the price, and does the work. |
What a roofer can do
- Inspect the roof and document the damage.
- Be at the adjuster meeting and point out what you found.
- Give the carrier your estimate, photos, measurements and code requirements.
- Talk about what it costs to fix the roof right.
- Send a supplement for missed items.
What a roofer should leave alone
- Telling the carrier what the policy covers.
- Negotiating the settlement for the homeowner.
- Telling the homeowner they are owed a certain amount under the policy.
- Offering to cover, waive or rebate the deductible.
Doing public adjuster work without the license has a name: the unauthorized practice of public adjusting. States take it seriously. Some states also do not let the same company adjust a claim and do the repairs. Check with your state department of insurance before you assume.
When to bring in help
- The claim is denied and new evidence did not change it.
- The fight is about what the policy covers, not about what is damaged.
- The carrier has stopped answering.
At that point the homeowner can hire a licensed public adjuster or an attorney, or file a complaint with the state.
Where ClaimClosed fits
ClaimClosed is built for the contractor side of the file. A free Closability Score shows how ready the claim is. The training covers the claim from the first knock to the final check. Members can hand a claim to our claim coordinators. They are contracted estimators and claim admin who work inside your company on the estimate, the paperwork and the carrier follow up. Our Chief Claims Coordinator, a licensed adjuster with 15 years of experience, is over them. He reviews and certifies each file and has the final say on everything that happens from open to close. We do not negotiate the claim or speak for the homeowner.
Questions roofers ask
Can a roofing contractor act as a public adjuster?
Only with a public adjuster license, and even then some states do not allow one company to adjust and repair the same claim. Check the rules in your state.
What does a public adjuster charge?
Usually a percentage of the claim payout. The percentage and any cap are set by the contract and by state law.
Can a roofer talk to the insurance adjuster?
Yes. A roofer can discuss the damage, the scope of repair and the cost. The line is negotiating coverage or the settlement for the homeowner.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is general information for contractors. Laws differ by state. Ask a licensed attorney in your state.
Start on your side of the file.
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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.