What Do Insurance Adjusters Look for on Roofs?

Whether you are filing a homeowner’s insurance claim or need to schedule a mandatory insurance roof inspection, it is important to know what the insurance adjuster’s role is and what they are looking for during an inspection. Seeing the roof through their eyes can help you prevent denied claims or dropped coverage in the future.

An insurance adjuster’s job is to determine if roof damage exists, what caused the damage, and if the damage is covered under your insurance policy. Adjusters also assess the value of the damage against the current value of your roof. When combined with various other factors, the adjuster can then determine how much to pay out after you submit a claim.

What Do Insurance Adjusters Look for During a Roof Inspection?

What insurance adjusters look for during an inspection depends on the reason for the inspection. For instance, if they are inspecting a roof that has been damaged by a hurricane or fire, the main focus is to verify that the disaster is what caused the damage.

However, if the insurance company requests an assessment due to other factors, the adjuster’s inspection may look very different. In this case, the adjuster looks for three main things:

1. Age of the Roof
   Once your roof reaches 20 years, it may be subject to a roofing inspection. Why? Because older roofs are a liability. Older roofs in coastal areas such as Northwest Florida are highly vulnerable to damage. Insurance companies need to assess older roofs to determine whether the risk is too high to continue coverage. If you have an old roof, the adjuster may recommend that the insurer raise your rates, adjust your coverage, or cancel your policy.
2. Proper Installation and Maintenance
   If your roof was installed or repaired improperly, it could cause problems that cost the insurance company thousands of dollars in claims. Insurance adjusters can identify an improper installation and cite issues that range from code violations and outdated materials to safety issues or failing to install the roof according to manufacturer specifications. An adjuster can also quickly tell if you have neglected your roof.
3. Visible Signs of Internal and External Damage
   While some signs of damage are evident, other signs may be more difficult to spot. Insurance adjusters perform in-depth inspections to identify problems that you or a roofer may have missed. Some of the most common issues that adjusters look for include

   Fascia board rot or damage
   Improperly fastened gutters
   Excess granules in gutters
   Siding above the roof
   Improper eave overhangs Loose or exposed nails
   Dry rot around vent rubber boots
   Damaged flashing, skylights, or chimneys

   Contact Your Roofer Before Your Roofing Inspection

   You’ve often heard it said that the first phone call you should make after your roof is damaged is to your insurance company. While it is true that you should contact your insurer as soon as possible, your first call should be to a local roofing contractor in Florida. Here’s why:

   A roofing contractor can arrive at your house, inspect the damage and give you a professional, accurate assessment of your roof. The contractor can also meet with the adjuster to confirm the cause of the damage, answer questions, and “talk shop”. They can also work with you to submit the insurance claim. These speeds up the process and potentially prevents any claim issues from occurring or the insurer from denying your claim.

   Schedule a Free Roof Inspection

   Quality Roofing offers premier roofing services for homeowners in Florida. Call (850) 753-0041 or fill out the quick form on our contact page to schedule a free roof inspection.

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