What Roof Insurance Adjusters Look For
An adjuster is trying to answer one question: did a covered storm cause this damage, or did the roof wear out on its own?
Everything they measure on your roof feeds that answer. Knowing what they check helps you point out real damage, and helps you spot an inspection that was rushed.[1]
Who the Adjuster Works For
The adjuster who comes out after you file usually works for your insurance company, either as an employee or as an independent adjuster the company hired. Their job is to measure the loss under your policy. They are not there to represent you.[1]
That is normal, and most adjusters are fair. It just means the person standing up for your claim should be you.
What Adjusters Check on the Roof
| What they look at | Storm damage usually looks like | Wear usually looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Hail hits on shingles | Random dark spots where granules were knocked off. The mat underneath may feel soft, like a bruise. | Granule loss spread evenly, worst where water runs off |
| Wind | Missing shingles, or tabs creased and bent back | Corners curling up or cupping across the whole roof |
| Granule loss | Fresh, scattered bare spots after a known storm | Even thinning over years, granules in gutters every rain |
| Blisters | Not usually storm damage | Small bubbles that pop open, often from heat or poor attic venting |
| Soft metals (vents, flashing, gutters) | Fresh dents from hail, a sign of how big the stones were | Old dents with rust or paint wear inside them |
| Interior | New stains that line up with storm damage above | Old stains, rot, or mold from slow leaks |
General descriptions. What counts as damage is set by your policy and the adjuster’s inspection.[1]
The hail “test square”
For hail, many adjusters mark off a test square on each side of the roof, often 10 feet by 10 feet, and count the hits inside it. That count helps decide whether a slope is repaired or replaced. The number of hits that counts as “damaged” is not set by law. It varies by insurer and by roof type.[1] If you think a square was placed on the least-damaged spot, say so and ask why.
Collateral damage
Adjusters also look around the house for signs the storm was strong enough to cause roof damage: dented gutters, downspouts, AC unit fins, window screens, and siding. Point these out. Your own photos of them right after the storm help.[1]
How to Prepare for the Inspection
- Be home. Walk the outside with the adjuster. Show them each spot you photographed.
- Have your photos ready. Storm-day photos, and older photos of the roof in good shape if you have them.
- Have your own roofer there if you can. A roofer you chose can point out damage on the roof while the adjuster is up there.
- Ask questions. What did you find on each slope? Is this being called storm damage or wear? When will I get the estimate?
- Take notes. Write down the adjuster’s name, company, phone, and what they said.
- Read the estimate when it comes. Check every line. Our estimate guide lists what should be there.
Who Can Legally Negotiate Your Claim?
You can always handle your own claim. If you want help, the law decides who can do it.
| Who | North Carolina | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| You | Yes | Yes |
| Licensed public adjuster (works for you, paid by you) | Yes. Must hold a state license.[2] | Yes. Must hold a state license.[3] |
| Attorney | Yes. Exempt from the public adjuster license.[2] | Yes, in the practice of law.[3] |
| Roofing contractor | Can inspect and give you an estimate. If paid to negotiate or settle your claim for you, that is public adjusting and needs a license.[2] NCDOI says not to let a contractor work directly with your insurer unless your agent approves.[4] | Can inspect and give you an estimate. Acting as both contractor and public adjuster on the same claim is a felony.[3] |
South Carolina House Bill 4817 would go further and bar licensed contractors from negotiating roof claims for homeowners. It was still in the Senate when we checked in October 2026, so it is not law.[5]
If you hire a public adjuster in North Carolina
- The contract must be in writing, and you can cancel it within 3 business days of signing.[2]
- After a declared catastrophe, the fee cannot be more than 10% of the settlement, and no fee can be charged before the claim settles.[2]
- The adjuster cannot take the power to pick who does your repairs.[2]
- The adjuster cannot settle your claim without your knowledge and consent, and cannot solicit you between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.[2]
In South Carolina, you can cancel a public adjuster contract until the close of business on the 5th business day after signing.[3]
Next: the full claim process, or what to do if your claim is denied. For how payment works, see does insurance cover roof replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an insurance adjuster look for on a roof?
Signs that a covered storm caused the damage rather than age: hail hits and bruising, wind-creased or missing shingles, fresh dents in vents and gutters, and interior stains that line up with damage above.
What is a hail test square?
An area many adjusters mark on each roof slope, often 10 feet by 10 feet, to count hail hits. The number of hits that counts as damage is not set by law and varies by insurer and roof type.
Should I be home when the adjuster inspects my roof?
Yes. Walk the property with the adjuster, show your photos, ask questions, and take notes. Having a roofer you chose there can help.
Can my roofer talk to my insurance adjuster?
A roofer can inspect the roof and give you a written estimate to share. In North Carolina, anyone paid to negotiate or settle your claim for you must be a licensed public adjuster unless they are your attorney. In South Carolina, acting as both contractor and public adjuster on the same claim is a felony.
How much can a public adjuster charge in North Carolina?
After a declared catastrophic incident, no more than 10% of the settlement, and nothing before the claim settles, under G.S. 58-33A-60. Outside a catastrophe the fee is set by your written contract.
Guides in This Series
Laws and policies change, and your policy wording controls your claim. We checked every statute cited here on October 8, 2026. For advice on your own claim, talk to your insurance agent, your state Department of Insurance, or a licensed attorney.
Sources
- General insurance practice. Policy wording varies by company and by policy form, so your declarations page and policy control. Not drawn from a single external source.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 58, Article 33A (public adjusters), including §§ 58-33A-5, -10, -60, -65, -80 and -93. Checked October 8, 2026.
- S.C. Code Title 38, Chapter 48 (public adjusters), including §§ 38-48-10, -20, -110 and -130. Checked October 8, 2026.
- N.C. Department of Insurance, “Don’t become a victim twice; keep roofing scammers at bay”, February 4, 2026. Checked October 8, 2026.
- S.C. House Bill 4817 (2025–2026 session), bill history. Passed the House April 2, 2026; in the Senate when checked October 8, 2026. Not law.