Service Process
What to Expect When the Insurance Adjuster Inspects Your Roof
An insurance adjuster's roof inspection typically takes 45 to 90 minutes: they mark off 10-by-10-foot "test squares" to count hail hits, document shingle and flashing damage, check for collateral damage to gutters and siding, and generate a line-item repair estimate. Having your own roofing contractor present is widely recommended -- they know where adjusters commonly miss damage (gutters, vents, fascia) and can make sure test squares are placed in representative, not least-damaged, areas.
Direct Answer
An insurance adjuster's roof inspection typically takes 45 to 90 minutes: they mark off 10-by-10-foot "test squares" to count hail hits, document shingle and flashing damage, check for collateral damage to gutters and siding, and generate a line-item repair estimate. Having your own roofing contractor present is widely recommended -- they know where adjusters commonly miss damage (gutters, vents, fascia) and can make sure test squares are placed in representative, not least-damaged, areas.
How to prepare for the adjuster's visit
What you have ready and who's present can meaningfully affect how thoroughly the damage gets documented.
- Have your insurance policy and declarations page on hand, along with any professional damage report your contractor already provided -- see UrgentHomePros' storm damage inspection walkthrough guide below for what that contractor visit covers.
- Bring timestamped photos and video of the damage taken as soon as possible after the storm, plus any previous roof maintenance or inspection records.
- Arrange for your own roofing contractor to be present during the adjuster's visit if at all possible -- they can point out damage in areas adjusters commonly miss and help ensure test squares are placed representatively across the roof, not just in the least-damaged section.
- Prepare a written list of questions about timeline, coverage, and next steps so you don't have to rely on memory during the visit.
- Do not sign any settlement agreement on the spot, make permanent repairs before the inspection, or accept a verbal estimate as final -- get everything in writing.
- Ask for a copy of the adjuster's written estimate and test-square documentation before they leave, not after the fact.
Why the adjuster visit itself matters this much
- The adjuster's test-square counts and line-item estimate are the actual basis for what your claim pays out -- an incomplete or unrepresentative inspection can undercount real damage.
- A contractor who knows local roofing conditions and common adjuster blind spots (gutters, vents, fascia) is a documented way homeowners catch damage that would otherwise go unrecorded.
- This appointment happens once in the normal claims process -- getting it right the first time avoids a slower, harder supplemental-claim process later.
Sources
The data above is cited directly from these publishers - follow the links to read the original reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be home for the insurance adjuster's inspection?
Policies and practices vary, but it's strongly recommended to be present, and even more strongly recommended to have your own roofing contractor there too, so someone with roofing expertise is representing your side of the documentation.
Can I get a second opinion if I disagree with the adjuster's assessment?
Yes -- if your contractor's documented damage assessment differs meaningfully from the adjuster's estimate, you can request a re-inspection or file a supplemental claim with your own documentation. Keep your own photos, video, and contractor report regardless of what the adjuster initially finds.
Should I make repairs before the adjuster arrives?
No -- avoid permanent repairs before the inspection, since they can eliminate the documentation the adjuster needs to assess the original damage. Temporary protective measures like tarping to prevent further damage are generally fine; permanent repairs are not.