Both Work for You, But in Different Ways
After a storm, two types of professionals help homeowners with roofing insurance claims: public adjusters and roofing contractors. They do overlapping but different work, and many homeowners are confused about which one to hire. Sometimes the answer is both.
What a Public Adjuster Does
A public adjuster is a licensed insurance claims specialist who works for the homeowner, not the insurance company. Their job is to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and maximize your settlement.
Public adjuster responsibilities:
- Review your policy for coverage scope
- Document damage independently
- Meet with the insurance company's adjuster
- Negotiate the claim amount
- Submit supplements and appeals
- Handle denied or disputed claims
They charge a percentage of the final settlement, typically 10-15% in non-emergency situations and up to 20% after a declared disaster.
What a Roofing Contractor Does
A roofing contractor inspects the roof, provides a detailed estimate of the damage and repair, performs the actual work, and typically handles some level of claim documentation as part of their process.
Roofing contractor responsibilities:
- Inspect the roof and document damage
- Provide a written scope of work
- Attend the adjuster inspection (good ones do this automatically)
- Submit supplements for missed or underpaid line items
- Perform the roof replacement or repair
- Provide workmanship warranty
A good roofer does not charge extra for the claim support — it is part of winning the job.
When You Need Only a Roofing Contractor
Most straightforward claims do not need a public adjuster. If:
- The damage is clear (obvious hail or wind damage)
- The insurance company accepts the claim without dispute
- The initial scope is mostly reasonable
- Your contractor is experienced with insurance work
...then a competent roofing contractor handles everything you need. They will attend the adjuster meeting, submit supplements for missed items, and coordinate the work. The homeowner pays the deductible and collects the insurance payments.
Most small-to-medium roofing insurance claims fall into this category.
When You Need a Public Adjuster
Bring in a public adjuster when the claim is complicated or contested. Reasons to hire one:
- Claim denial — Insurance refused to pay and you need to fight it
- Large claim with multiple trades — Roof + interior water damage + HVAC + electrical
- Significant coverage dispute — The insurance company is questioning whether the damage is covered at all
- Low initial scope that your contractor cannot resolve — Sometimes the adjuster and contractor cannot come to agreement and you need someone with deeper policy expertise
- Policy interpretation issues — Your contractor is not a licensed insurance professional and cannot argue policy language
- Multiple storms — Damage from more than one event requires separate claim handling
For these situations, the 10-15% fee a public adjuster charges often pays for itself several times over in the difference between the initial offer and the final settlement.
When You Might Need Both
Some large or complex claims benefit from both a public adjuster and a roofing contractor working together. The public adjuster handles the policy-level negotiation and documentation, while the contractor handles the physical inspection, scope of work, and actual repair.
This is common in:
- Large commercial roofing claims
- Multi-million dollar residential claims
- Claims with significant non-roofing damage
- Storm-related claims in complicated policy situations
Red Flags for Both Professions
Whether you are hiring a public adjuster or a roofing contractor, watch for the same warning signs:
- Aggressive cold-knocking
- Pressure to sign immediately
- Promises to waive or cover your deductible (illegal)
- Assignment of benefits contracts pushed without explanation
- No local address or verifiable license
- Unrealistic promises ("guaranteed full payout")
How to Choose
For a straightforward claim: Hire a licensed, local roofing contractor with insurance claim experience. Ask specifically about their supplement process and whether they attend adjuster meetings.
For a denied or disputed claim: Hire a licensed public adjuster in your state. Verify their license through your state insurance department before signing anything.
For a complicated large claim: Consider both. The combined cost is usually worth it for the additional recovery.
The Bottom Line
Public adjusters and roofing contractors are not interchangeable — they do different parts of the insurance process. Most homeowners only need a competent roofing contractor. Public adjusters are most valuable when the claim is contested, the scope is large, or the policy interpretation is complicated. Understand the difference, hire what you actually need, and verify credentials before signing any contract.