On a Texas roof claim, your insurance company's adjuster works for the insurer and reviews the claim; a public adjuster is licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance and can be hired by you to negotiate with your insurer; and a roofing contractor inspects and repairs the roof. Texas law keeps these roles separate: a public adjuster working on your claim can't act as your contractor, and contractors can't advertise that they will handle your claim. You can check a public adjuster's license with TDI.
After a hailstorm or windstorm in the Houston area, homeowners hear from a lot of people: the insurance company, roofers, and sometimes public adjusters. It is easy to lose track of who is working for whom. Knowing the roles helps you ask the right questions and avoid people who promise things they are not allowed to do. This guide explains each role neutrally. Whether to hire a public adjuster is your decision.
What does each person do on a roof claim?
| Role | Who they work for | What they do | What they don't do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance company adjuster | Your insurance company | Reviews what happened, may inspect the damage, and estimates the claim payment | Represent you against the insurer |
| Public adjuster | You, under a signed contract | Negotiates with your insurance company to settle your claim | Act as your contractor on that claim, or practice law |
| Roofing contractor | You, for the roof work | Inspects the roof, documents damage, estimates and performs repairs or replacement | Negotiate your claim or advertise that they will handle it |
What does the insurance company's adjuster do?
The Texas Department of Insurance explains that the adjuster works for the insurance company paying the claim. They review what happened and estimate the claim payment, and may inspect the damage, talk to witnesses or ask for more information. TDI suggests trying to be there when the adjuster inspects, getting their contact information, and asking when to expect the company's offer. If you disagree with the adjuster's estimate, TDI says to tell the insurance company why. You can also ask the company to assign a different adjuster.
Our guide to the roof adjuster inspection explains how to prepare for that visit.
What does a public adjuster do in Texas?
TDI describes hiring a public adjuster as one of your options if your homeowners claim is denied or you think your insurance company should pay more. According to TDI's public adjuster guide, you can hire a public insurance adjuster to negotiate with your insurance company to settle your claim, and public adjusters are licensed by TDI. Public adjusters are regulated under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 4102.
TDI also lists things public adjusters can't do, including:
- Knock on your door asking for business during a natural disaster or after 9 p.m.
- Practice law or provide legal advice.
- Get referral fees from attorneys, contractors or anyone else involved in your claim.
- Keep you from talking with your insurance company.
What does TDI say about public adjuster costs?
Fees are set by the public adjuster's contract, so ask them directly. TDI's guide states: "Public adjusters can charge up to 10% of the total amount the company will pay for your claim." TDI also notes that you can ask for the fee in a dollar amount instead of a percentage, that you might still owe the fee if your insurer does not increase its offer, that you still pay your deductible, and that you have 72 hours after signing a contract to cancel it. Read TDI's full page before signing anything.
Why can't my roofer act as my public adjuster?
Because Texas law keeps the jobs separate. TDI states that under Texas law, public insurance adjusters who work on your claim can't act as your contractor, and contractors can't advertise that they'll handle your insurance claim. Public adjusting requires a TDI license, and a roofing company is not licensed to negotiate your claim with your insurer.
So a roofer should not tell you they will "handle" or "negotiate" your claim, guarantee how your claim will turn out, or ask you to let them deal with your insurer for you. Those are warning signs. What a roofer can properly do is inspect the roof, document damage with photos, explain what they found, and give you a repair or replacement estimate. You decide what to share with your insurer, and your insurer decides what is covered.
To be clear about our own role: Storm Bolt Roofing is a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster. We offer free inspections with no obligation and photo documentation you can keep. We do not negotiate with insurance companies or handle claims.
How do I check a public adjuster's license with TDI?
- Use TDI's lookup. TDI's agent and adjuster lookup page explains how to search for a licensed agent or adjuster by name or license number.
- Call TDI's Help Line. TDI's public adjuster guide says you can call to find out whether a public adjuster is licensed, how many complaints have been filed, and whether TDI has taken disciplinary action.
- Ask for the license number and make sure the name on the license matches the person and company you are dealing with.
- Read the contract carefully, including the fee, what services are included and the cancellation window TDI describes.
What questions help me sort out who is who?
- "Who do you work for: me or my insurance company?"
- "Are you licensed by TDI as an adjuster? What is your license number?"
- "Are you offering to negotiate my claim, or to repair my roof?"
- "What will I sign today, and is it an inspection authorization, an estimate or a contract?"
If someone claims to do both, adjusting your claim and replacing your roof, that is a red flag under the rules TDI describes. Our guide to how roof insurance claims work in Texas walks through the full process, and if your claim was denied, our article on a denied roof claim in Texas covers your options.
Public adjuster vs contractor questions
Can a roofing contractor negotiate with my insurance company?
No. Negotiating a claim on your behalf is the role of a TDI-licensed public adjuster, and TDI says contractors can't advertise that they'll handle your insurance claim. A roofer can inspect, document and estimate the repair.
Do I have to hire a public adjuster?
No. TDI describes it as one of your options. Many homeowners work directly with their insurer. It is your decision, and TDI's public adjuster guide explains what to consider.
Is the insurance company's adjuster on my side?
TDI explains that the company adjuster works for the insurance company paying the claim. You can be present at the inspection, share your own photos, and tell the insurer if you disagree with the estimate.
Want the damage documented before you talk with your insurer? Book a free, photo-documented inspection with no obligation. Storm Bolt Roofing serves Spring and Greater Houston, in English and Spanish. We are a contractor, not a public adjuster, and your insurer decides every claim.
