Adjusters Are Trained to Minimize Payouts
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company — not for you. Their job is to minimize claim payouts while making the process appear fair and thorough. Most adjusters are generalists who inspect 5-10 properties per day. They're trained to spot obvious storm damage, but they routinely miss the forensic evidence that proves a full replacement is necessary: non-visible hail bruising, thermal shock fractures, and compromised sealants.
Common Adjuster Mistakes
- Missing Non-Visible Hail Bruising: Hail impact creates fractures in the fiberglass mat that aren't visible from the ground — or even from a walking inspection. These fractures compromise the shingle's waterproofing integrity, requiring full replacement. We document these with ASTM-standardized testing.
- Incorrect Material Specifications: Adjusters frequently specify builder-grade 3-tab shingles for replacement when your roof has architectural shingles. The price difference is significant — and your policy requires "like kind and quality" replacement.
- Missing Code Upgrades: 2026 Tulsa building codes require ice and water shield at eaves, proper ridge vent sizing, and specific drip edge profiles. Adjuster scopes rarely include these code-mandated upgrades unless specifically documented and demanded.
- Improper Depreciation: Adjusters apply depreciation based on average shingle life (typically 20 years) — but architectural shingles have a 30-50 year life expectancy. We challenge improper depreciation calculations regularly.