Working With a Public Adjuster vs. Your Contractor on a Commercial Roof Claim

When storm damage hits your commercial property, you’ll quickly encounter two different types of professionals who offer to help with your commercial roof insurance claim: public adjusters and roofing contractors. They’re often confused, their roles overlap in some areas, and property owners frequently aren’t sure which one they need or whether they need both.

The short answer is that most commercial property owners in Asheville, NC, get through the claims process successfully with a licensed roofing contractor who understands the insurance process and provides thorough documentation. Public adjusters are most valuable in specific situations, particularly large losses, complex multi-system damage, or contested claims where the insurer’s initial assessment significantly undervalues the damage.

Here’s a clear breakdown of what each role actually involves on a commercial roof insurance claim.

What a Public Adjuster Does

A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who represents the policyholder, not the insurance company in the claims process. Unlike the insurance company’s adjuster, who works for the insurer, a public adjuster is hired by the property owner to negotiate on their behalf.

On a commercial roof insurance claim, a public adjuster will:

• Review your commercial property policy and identify all applicable coverage
• Prepare and present the claim on your behalf, including damage documentation and the scope of loss
• Negotiate directly with the insurance company’s adjuster to maximize the settlement
• Handle supplemental claims if additional damage is found during repairs

Public adjusters typically charge a percentage of the final claim settlement, commonly 10-15% on commercial losses, though this varies. They’re regulated by the NC Department of Insurance and must be licensed to operate in North Carolina.

When a public adjuster makes sense: A public adjuster is most useful when the claim is large (total losses, major structural damage, complex multi-trade losses), when your insurer has significantly undervalued the damage on their initial assessment, or when your claim has been denied and you’re entering a dispute or appraisal process. For straightforward commercial roof insurance claims where the damage is clear, and the contractor’s scope aligns with the adjuster’s findings, the public adjuster’s fee may not return its cost.

What Your Roofing Contractor Does

A licensed roofing contractor on a commercial roof insurance claim isn’t just there to fix the roof. An experienced commercial contractor plays an active role in the documentation and assessment process that directly supports your claim.

Secure Roofing’s role in a commercial roof insurance claim includes:

• Conducting a thorough pre-claim commercial roof inspection with detailed photography and written documentation
• Preparing an independent damage assessment and repair scope that you own and control
• Being present at the adjuster’s site visit to ensure that all damage is identified, described accurately, and included in the adjuster’s report
• Identifying supplemental damage during repair work and submitting additional documentation to the insurer
• Handling emergency temporary repairs that are properly documented so they don’t interfere with the claim

A roofing contractor does not negotiate insurance settlements or provide legal or financial advice — that’s not within the contractor’s role. But a contractor who knows commercial roofing and has experience with the claims process can have a significant impact on the outcome by ensuring the damage assessment is accurate and complete.

Secure Roofing provides this level of support on commercial roof insurance claims throughout Asheville, NC, and Western NC at no additional charge beyond the cost of repair work.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Public Adjuster

If you’re considering a public adjuster for your commercial roof insurance claim, here are the questions that matter:

What is your fee structure? Get the percentage and the calculation basis in writing before signing anything. A 10% fee on a $150,000 commercial roof replacement claim is a high cost. Understand exactly what you’re paying for.

How does your fee affect my net settlement? If the public adjuster negotiates a higher settlement but takes a percentage, calculate what you actually net compared to accepting the insurer’s initial offer and potentially disputing specific line items with your contractor’s support.

Are you licensed in North Carolina? All public adjusters operating in NC must be licensed by the NC Department of Insurance. Verify licensure before engaging any adjuster.

What’s your experience with commercial flat roof or membrane system claims? Commercial roof claims require technical understanding of the specific materials involved: TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, and metal roofing systems. Each has specific failure modes and repair costs. A public adjuster with experience in commercial membrane systems will be more effective than a generalist.

The Most Common Scenario: Contractor Support Is Enough

For the majority of commercial roof insurance claims in Asheville, NC, and Western NC, property owners get through the process successfully by:

1. Getting a professional commercial roof inspection immediately after the storm event
2. Having their contractor present at the adjuster’s site visit
3. Reviewing the adjuster’s report against the contractor’s independent assessment
4. Filing supplemental claims for any damage the adjuster missed

This process is done with an experienced, licensed commercial roofing contractor, who handles the large majority of claims without the need for a public adjuster’s fees.

Secure Roofing handles this support process for commercial property owners throughout Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, and Transylvania counties. We’re locally owned, fully licensed and insured, and we know how to work through a commercial roof insurance claim efficiently and honestly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my roofing contractor charge me separately for helping with the insurance claim? Not for the inspection and documentation support. Secure Roofing provides free commercial roof inspections and adjuster meeting support as part of our commercial services. We’re paid for the repair or replacement work — not for the documentation process.

What if my insurer’s adjuster and my contractor disagree on the scope of damage? This is common and doesn’t necessarily require a public adjuster. Your contractor can submit a supplemental claim with additional documentation. If the disagreement is significant, most commercial policies include an appraisal clause that allows both parties to bring in an independent appraiser. For disputed claims of this size, a public adjuster may be worth consulting.

Is there a deadline for filing a supplemental commercial roof insurance claim? Policy terms vary, but supplemental claims should be filed promptly when additional damage is identified during repair. Don’t let significant discovered damage sit unaddressed — contact your contractor and insurer as soon as new damage is found.

What types of commercial roofing does Secure Roofing handle? We work on TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, built-up, standing seam metal, and commercial steel building roofing systems across Western NC and upstate SC. We also handle roof repair and roof replacement for commercial buildings of all types.

Does Secure Roofing serve commercial properties in Hendersonville and other WNC communities? Yes. We serve Hendersonville, Brevard, Black Mountain, Asheville, and all of Western NC, plus Greenville and Spartanburg, SC.

Secure Roofing is Asheville’s locally owned and operated commercial roofing contractor. Licensed, insured, and experienced with commercial roof insurance claims throughout Western NC. Call 828-888-ROOF for a free post-storm inspection and claim consultation.