RESIDENTIAL & STEEP SLOPE
www.mrca.org  —  Midwest Roofer
20
I
n the roofing industry, dealing with insurance 
claims is a common part of the job, especially 
when it comes to storm damage, leaks, or 
other unforeseen issues. While many insurance 
claims are straightforward, disputes between 
contractors, homeowners, and insurance 
companies can arise. These disputes often 
revolve around disagreements on the scope 
of work, material costs, or the severity of the 
damage. There is nothing worse than seeing a 
homeowner being told the damage is less than 
what is obvious and having no way to help your 
customer. 
One of the most effective tools for resolving 
these disagreements is the use of a 
professional appraiser. For roofing contractors, 
having a relationship with a trusted appraiser 
to speak with the insured to explain the 
process of disputing a claim on their behalf is 
a largely untapped resource. A knowledgeable 
professional appraiser that you partner with 
is a great tool to help your customer and one 
that can set you apart from others you are 
competing with for business. Appraisals offer an 
unbiased, detailed assessment of the project, 
which can serve as the foundation for disputing 
an insurance claim. This article will explore the 
importance of appraisals in resolving insurance 
disputes and how they can protect your 
business and your residential clients. We will 
offer a follow-up article focusing on how you can 
utilize appraisal to grow business and protect 
clients in commercial roofing.
The Role of an Appraiser in Insurance 
Disputes
When a homeowner files an insurance claim 
for roof damage, an adjuster or “inspector” is 
sent by the insurance company to assess the 
situation. The adjuster’s or inspector’s report 
determines what is damaged and how much 
the insurance company will pay for repairs 
or replacements. However, the contractor’s 
assessment of the damage might differ 
significantly from the adjuster’s report, leading 
to potential conflicts. In most states, contractors 
are prevented from direct involvement of 
the insurance claims short of submitting a 
supplement for the covered damages therefore 
once a dispute arises the homeowner is left 
with few options for assistance in disputing the 
insurance company’s findings. 
WHY ROOFING CONTRACTORS 
RECOMMEND A HOMEOWNER USE AN 
APPRAISER TO DISPUTE INSURANCE CLAIMS

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