How to Read Your Insurance Adjuster’s Roof Report — A Line-by-Line Guide

When your insurance adjuster’s report arrives, most homeowners look at the bottom line and assume that’s their settlement. It isn’t — it’s a starting point, and it’s often incomplete.

Understanding how to read the scope of damage document can mean the difference between a fair settlement and leaving $2,000-$8,000 on the table.

What the Report Actually Is

The adjuster’s report — called a “scope of damage” or “estimate” — is an itemized list of what the insurance company believes needs to be repaired or replaced, at what price. It’s generated using estimating software (most commonly Xactimate) that prices each item using regional labor and material rates.

The report is not final. It’s the insurance company’s opening position.

Professional inspection ensures no damage goes undetected

The Key Sections to Understand

Line items: Each element of your roof is listed separately — shingles by the square, underlayment, ice and water shield, ridge cap, starter strips, flashing, drip edge, ventilation, etc.

RCV (Replacement Cost Value): What the full replacement of each item costs at today’s prices.

Depreciation: The amount deducted from RCV to calculate ACV (actual cash value) based on age and condition.

ACV (Actual Cash Value): RCV minus depreciation — what you receive in your first check.

Recoverable depreciation: The difference between RCV and ACV — what you receive after completing repairs (RCV policies only).

Deductible: Subtracted from the ACV to calculate your first payment.

Quality materials and expert installation make the difference

What’s Commonly Missing from Adjuster Reports

Adjusters working quickly under high caseloads (especially after major storm events) frequently miss or undervalue these items. Compare the adjuster’s line items against your contractor’s estimate:

Ice and water shield: Often listed at minimum code coverage (2 feet from edge). Many replacement projects in Lake County and Porter County require more extensive application — especially on homes with low pitches or documented ice dam history.

Starter strip shingles: Sometimes omitted or priced at shingle cost rather than the correct specialty product cost.

Ridge cap shingles: Occasionally omitted entirely or priced at standard shingle rates rather than ridge cap rates.

Drip edge: Frequently omitted in older reports, especially on homes that didn’t have it originally — but current building code requires it on replacement projects.

Pipe boot replacement: Often only included if the inspector physically saw each boot. Drone inspections catch deteriorated boots that ground-level inspectors miss.

Detach and reset (D&R) for satellite dishes, vents, and skylights: If anything needs to be removed and reinstalled to complete the roofing work, it should be in the estimate.

Code upgrade allowances: Current Indiana and Illinois building codes may require upgrades (ventilation, drip edge, etc.) that weren’t present on the original roof. These code-required upgrades should be covered by insurance.

Overhead and profit (O&P): On projects requiring a general contractor to coordinate subcontractors, overhead and profit (typically 10% overhead + 10% profit) should be included. This is often disputed — Alamo helps with O&P claims.

Alamo Roofing serves Lake County, Porter County & northern Illinois

How to Submit a Supplement

If your contractor’s estimate is higher than the adjuster’s estimate, you file a “supplement” — a formal request for additional payment with supporting documentation.

A successful supplement includes:

• Specific line-by-line comparison showing what’s missing or underpriced
• Photos documenting each supplemented item
• Code citations for required items
• Contractor’s signed estimate

Alamo Roofing prepares and submits supplemental claims for our customers at no charge. We know what adjusters look for and how to document supplements effectively.

What Happens If Your Claim Is Underpaid or Denied

If underpaid: Submit a supplement as described above. Most underpaid claims are resolved at this stage.

If denied: Request the denial in writing with specific policy language cited. Review the denial language carefully. You can request a re-inspection with a different adjuster, file an appeal within your policy’s process, or contact the Indiana Department of Insurance (317) 232-2385 or Illinois Department of Insurance (217) 782-4515.