What not to say to a roof insurance adjuster?

Asked by: Dr. Yessenia Ratke PhD  |  Last update: August 26, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (35 votes)

Avoid any admissions of fault or liability when talking to your adjuster. Such statements can be used to shift blame, potentially decreasing the amount you might be compensated. Instead, focus on describing the damage and the events as they happened, without inserting personal opinions about who might be at fault.

What not to say to a homeowners insurance adjuster?

Admitting Fault, Even Partial Fault.

Even if you think you may be partly at fault for the accident, do not discuss this with an adjuster. Avoid any language that could be construed as apologetic or blameful. Admitting any level of fault can eliminate or reduce the compensation that may be available.

What do insurance adjusters look for on roofs?

Insurance adjusters inspecting roof damage look for signs like missing or cracked shingles, water damage below, or flaws that indicate wear over time. Understanding their process helps with smooth home insurance claims.

How to scare a home insurance adjuster?

How To Scare An Insurance Adjuster
  1. Step One: Understand the Roles and Goals of an Insurance Adjuster. ...
  2. Step Two: Know How Insurance Adjusters May Try to Minimize Compensation. ...
  3. Step Three: Take Your Time to Review a Settlement Offer. ...
  4. Step Four: Reject a Lowball Offer in Writing.

What to say to a roof adjuster?

Know What You Want: When you talk to the insurance claims adjuster, be clear about what you're asking for. Don't leave it up to them to decide how much money you should receive. Instead, give them a specific number that you feel is fair. Also, be sure to have documents to substantiate your claim for that price.

Lee Haight - Roofer Vs. Insurance Adjuster: Large Loss Standoff #leehaight #skydiamonds

34 related questions found

How to negotiate a roof replacement?

6 Tips for Negotiating Cost with Roofing Contractors
  1. Get Multiple Quotes. ...
  2. Ask for Discounts or Bundle Prices. ...
  3. Look for Material Discounts. ...
  4. A Word of Advice: Negotiate, But Be Fair. ...
  5. To Reduce Project Costs, Plan Your Roofing Project in The Winter.

How do I haggle with an insurance adjuster?

Here's how to negotiate with insurance adjusters like a pro:

Prepare thoroughly by knowing your policy details and the value of your claim. Gather all evidence, including photos, medical records, and repair estimates. Stay calm, be polite, and firm in your communications.

How do you beat claims adjuster?

Show them you're not easily swayed. Be patient, and let them know you're willing to wait for a fair settlement. Don't Accept the First Offer: Insurance adjusters often start with a lowball offer, hoping you'll take it and they can close the case. Show them you're not easily fooled by rejecting their first offer.

What home insurance adjusters won't tell you?

Adjusters may downplay the extent of the damage, offer lowball settlements, or employ various tactics to delay the claim settlement process. To navigate this challenge, homeowners must be prepared, well-documented, and persistent in advocating for their rights.

What is a bad faith claim?

Looking for evidence that supports the insurance company's basis for denying a claim and ignoring evidence that supports the policyholder's basis for making a claim is considered bad faith. If an insurer fails to promptly reply to a policyholder's claim, that act of negligence, willful or not, is considered bad faith.

How to get a new roof without paying deductible?

No matter what a roofer tells you you must pay your deductible. There is no way around it and insurance will consider it insurance fraud if they do. Many homeowners try to find a way around this but there is no way around it. You can also verify this directly with your insurance provider or an attorney.

Why are roof claims denied?

Lack of maintenance: If your roof has not been properly maintained, your insurance company may deny your claim. It is important to regularly inspect your roof and perform any necessary repairs to avoid this situation. Age of roof: If your roof is past its expected lifespan, your insurance company may deny your claim.

How do I argue with my home insurance adjuster?

File an appeal

If you aren't getting any satisfaction from explaining your position to your insurance company's claims adjuster, you will need to file a formal appeal. You only have a limited amount of time to do this, and the clock starts ticking when your claim is denied.

How to get the most from an insurance claim?

Maximize Your Insurance Claim Payout: 10 Tips for Understanding and Negotiating the Estimate
  1. Never Accept the First Offer.
  2. Never Sign Anything Before Consulting.
  3. Hire a Professional to Review and Give You Advice.
  4. Look Out for These Four Specifically.
  5. Show Proof if You Want to Argue the Estimate.

What questions will insurance adjuster ask?

What to Expect from Insurance Adjusters After a Car Accident
  • Questions About the Involved Vehicles. ...
  • Questions About How the Car Accident Happened. ...
  • Questions About Shared Liability. ...
  • Questions About Vehicle Damages. ...
  • Questions About Your Injuries. ...
  • Insurance Tactics Used to Reduce Your Car Accident Insurance Payout.

What is the 80% rule in homeowners insurance?

The 80% rule means that an insurance company will pay the replacement cost of damage to a home as long as the owner has purchased coverage equal to at least 80% of the home's total replacement value.

What happens if I don't use my insurance money to fix my roof?

If you don't complete repairs or a replacement, however, your insurance provider will likely just decide to no longer cover your roof. This means if another storm deals further damage, you won't be covered and will have to pay for the replacement out of pocket.

How to prepare for a home insurance adjuster?

How to prepare for a meeting with the home insurance adjuster
  1. Safety First: Before the adjuster comes over, make sure your place is safe for inspection. ...
  2. Document the Damage: Take some photos and jot down notes about the damage before the adjuster shows up.

What do insurance companies fear the most?

It's simple: Insurance companies' legal teams hate having to go before juries. Naturally, it's up to juries to apply the law in a fair and even-handed manner. However, it never helps insurance companies to be seen as the villains who are trying to get one over on people in genuine need.

What happens after the home insurance adjuster comes out?

Once the insurance company sends an adjuster and evaluates the damage to your home, they pay a settlement amount in either replacement cost or actual cash value, depending on the provisions in your insurance policy.

What should you not say to a claims adjuster?

Some key phrases to avoid saying to an insurance adjuster include: “I'm sorry.” “It was all/partly my fault.” “I did not see the other person/driver.”

How to respond to a low settlement offer?

How Should I Respond to a Low Settlement Offer?
  1. Try to remain calm and examine the offer. After receiving a low settlement offer, the most important thing to do is to stay calm. ...
  2. Provide a formal, written response. ...
  3. Formulate your counteroffer. ...
  4. Settle after you've recovered.

Do insurance adjusters lowball?

Insurance adjusters are often given bonuses or other incentives based on how much money they save the company by getting claimants to accept low settlements. Making lowball offers is a key way insurers try to minimize payouts and protect their bottom line.

How do I ask for more money in a settlement?

Get the Adjuster to Justify a Low Injury Settlement Offer

Instead, ask the adjuster to give you specific reasons why the offer is so low, and make notes of what he or she tells you. Then write a brief letter responding to each of the factors the adjuster has mentioned.