Baccaro Roofing GuideInsurance Adjuster Tactics: What to Watch For
TL;DR: Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Common tactics: rushing the inspection, undercounting damage, classifying storm damage as wear-and-tear, and offering quick low settlements. Defense: have an independent roofer documentation BEFORE the adjuster arrives, attend the inspection, take notes, and dispute incomplete scope-of-loss reports.
Insurance adjusters are professionals who handle hundreds of claims per year. Their employer (the insurance company) measures them on cost containment. They're not necessarily adversarial, but their incentives differ from yours.
After 15+ years and hundreds of RGV roof claims, here are the tactics we routinely see — and how to respond.
Tactic 1: The rushed inspection
What it looks like: Adjuster arrives, walks the roof for 15 minutes, focuses on one slope, declares "minimal damage."
Why: Time pressure (claim quotas) + their training emphasizes minimum-pay outcomes.
Defense: - Be present during the inspection - Walk the roof with them (or have your roofer walk) - Point out every damage area you've documented - Insist on attic inspection - Insist on photographing every penetration
A 30-minute professional inspection finds 30-40% more damage than a 15-minute walkthrough.
Tactic 2: The "wear and tear" classification
What it looks like: Adjuster calls hail-damaged shingles "granule loss from age" or wind damage "natural shingle wear."
Why: Wear-and-tear is excluded from coverage. Storm damage is covered. The classification determines the payout.
Defense: - Have your independent roofer documentation BEFORE the adjuster arrives - Show date-stamped pre-storm photos (if available) - Cite the specific storm event (NOAA event ID if available) - Reference the timing — damage that wasn't there 30 days ago isn't 5 years of wear
Successful disputes often hinge on independent professional documentation. We've overturned this classification on dozens of claims.
Tactic 3: The "matching exception"
What it looks like: Adjuster approves replacement of damaged shingles only — not the whole slope or roof. Even though the original product line is discontinued and replacements won't match.
Why: Limits payout to actual damaged units.
Defense: - Texas law has matching provisions for some carriers - If the product is discontinued, document this - If matching impacts resale value, cite Cost vs Value data - Request a supplemental claim for matching coverage
Tactic 4: The pre-existing damage allegation
What it looks like: "This damage looks older than the storm — must have been there before."
Why: Pre-existing damage is excluded.
Defense: - Pre-storm Baccaro inspection report (free in May for hurricane prep) - Real estate photos from your purchase - Google Street View (often archives 5+ years) - Insurance carrier's own annual property photos (request from your agent)
This is the single most common dispute. Documentation BEFORE the storm wins almost every time.
Tactic 5: The fast-pay lowball
What it looks like: Adjuster offers $4,500 on the spot for what's actually a $14,000 claim. "Sign here and we close this fast."
Why: Fast settlements with low scope-of-loss are the carrier's preferred outcome.
Defense: - Don't sign anything during the inspection - Take the offer home, compare to your roofer's estimate - If gap exceeds 15%, dispute or request supplemental - For a complex claim, hire a public adjuster
You always have time to dispute. Carriers cannot force a closure.
Tactic 6: The depreciation extraction
What it looks like: Adjuster pays Actual Cash Value (ACV) but never sends the depreciation balance even after work is complete.
Why: Many homeowners don't realize they're owed the depreciation. Some carriers default to NOT paying it without a request.
Defense: - Understand: ACV = replacement cost MINUS depreciation - After work complete, submit photos of finished work + paid invoices - Demand the recoverable depreciation (RCV minus ACV) - File complaint with TDI if denied without cause
For older roofs, depreciation can be 20-50% of total cost. Don't leave it on the table.
Tactic 7: The contractor steering
What it looks like: Adjuster recommends specific contractors who "always close fast" — the implication being you should use them.
Why: Carrier-preferred contractors often have agreements with the carrier to keep claim costs low. The contractor wins (volume); the carrier wins (low cost); the homeowner often loses (rushed work, inferior materials).
Defense: - You always have the right to choose your own contractor - Carriers cannot legally require you to use their preferred list - Get 2-3 independent quotes - Don't trust the implied recommendation
Tactic 8: The supplemental denial
What it looks like: After the work starts, your roofer finds additional damage. You request a supplemental from the carrier. The supplemental is denied or reduced.
Why: Carriers don't want to pay twice for the same claim.
Defense: - Photo-document everything found mid-job - Submit detailed supplemental with photos and explanation - If denied, request second opinion from carrier - Public adjuster for complex supplementals
Supplementals are common and legitimate. Don't accept "we already paid the original claim."
What we do as your roofer
When we represent you on a claim:
1. Free pre-claim inspection with photo documentation 2. Written report filed with insurance for your records 3. Adjuster meeting on-site — we're present, advocating for full scope 4. Scope of loss review — comparing carrier's estimate to ours 5. Supplemental claim filing when warranted 6. Direct carrier communication — we handle back-and-forth 7. Material recommendation that meets carrier scope without forcing you into substandard
This is included in any claim we handle. No additional fee.
When to hire a public adjuster
Public adjusters represent the homeowner (not the carrier) for a percentage (10-25%) of recovery. Worth it for: - Complex claims over $30,000 - Denied or partially-denied claims - Multi-policy claims (TWIA + standard + flood) - Commercial claims
Not worth it for: - Straightforward claims under $20,000 - Claims where your roofer's documentation is strong
See [When to Hire a Public Adjuster in Texas](/blog/when-to-hire-public-adjuster).
Common questions
### Are all adjusters dishonest?
No. Most are professional. But their training emphasizes minimum-pay outcomes, and their incentives differ from yours. Independent documentation is your defense.
### Can I record the adjuster meeting?
In Texas, yes — Texas is a "one-party consent" state for recording. Tell them you're recording. Most are fine with it.
### What if the adjuster is hostile?
Stay calm and document. File complaint with TDI if behavior crosses lines. Request a different adjuster.
### How long does a dispute take?
Typically 30-90 days for re-inspection or supplemental. Complex disputes can take 6-12 months.
### Should I never trust an adjuster?
Trust but verify. Most adjusters are honest about what they document; the issue is what they choose to document. Independent professional documentation closes the gap.
Get a claim-ready inspection
(956) 600-0501 — free pre-claim inspection, photo documentation, adjuster meeting representation. Bilingual.
Related reading
- [When to Hire a Public Adjuster in Texas](/blog/when-to-hire-public-adjuster) - [How to File a Roof Insurance Claim in Texas](/blog/how-to-file-a-roof-insurance-claim) - [Documenting Hail Damage for Your Insurance Claim](/blog/documenting-hail-damage-insurance) - [How Insurance Claims Work for Roofing](/blog/how-insurance-claims-work-for-roofing) - [First 24 Hours After Storm Damage Checklist](/blog/first-24-hours-after-storm-damage)
_Sources: [Texas Department of Insurance — Consumer Bill of Rights](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/commissioner/rights.html) · [Texas Department of Insurance — File a Complaint](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/complfrm.html) · [National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters](https://www.napia.com/) · [Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/)._