Your roof—and perhaps other areas of your home—have been damaged. You filed your claim, the insurance adjuster came to the house, and now you’re left with a report full of numbers, codes, and contractor jargon. What do you need to do next? Many homeowners feel stuck at this stage. At Hedrick Construction, we've spent more than two decades helping Central Iowa homeowners repair damage to their homes, and we’ve guided many through the insurance claim process. In this article, we’ll walk you through the next steps to take after you receive the adjuster’s assessment.
Carefully review adjuster’s summary of loss
The adjuster’s report, often referred to as a summary of loss, lays out what they found during their inspection. It typically includes the following:
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Which components of your property suffered damage
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Any repairs or replacements that are deemed necessary
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What losses are covered by the policy
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The cash value of the claim
It’s important to review this document carefully because it provides you the chance to catch mistakes, omissions, or assumptions that could negatively affect your payout. Pay special attention to these items:
Property to Be Repaired or Replaced
Ensure the adjuster has included all covered property that was lost or damaged in relation to the claim. Be sure to consider not only damage to the home itself but also loss of or damage to any personal possessions covered by your policy.
RCV vs. ACV
Does the report indicate the actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV) of damaged items such as your roof? Because RCV coverage compensates you for the full cost of replacing your property (less the deductible), it generally results in a higher payout than ACV coverage, which is based on the value of the property before it was damaged. If ACV is used, look at the depreciation amount listed, which indicates the amount the company has deducted from the cost of replacement.
Age & Life Expectancy
Ensure the information in this section is accurate. Errors that overstate the age of your property or underestimate its lifespan could negatively affect your payout.
Cause of Loss
Is the damage clearly attributed to a cause that’s covered by your homeowners policy? Does it agree with what you stated on your proof of loss statement? Ensure this section is accurate.
Net Claim
This is the bottom line: how much the adjuster believes the insurance company should pay based on the losses assessed and the terms of your policy.
If you disagree with any of the adjuster’s determinations, gather additional evidence to support your position for an appeal. This may include photos, videos, expert opinions (such as from a reputable contractor) and documentation of expenses you have incurred related to the claim. As you draft a formal letter of appeal, have your policy handy and site any language that supports your argument.
Get a second opinion from a trusted roofer
Insurance adjusters do their best, but they don’t always catch everything. A trusted local residential roofer can help support your homeowners claim in several ways:
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Identifying overlooked or hidden damage
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Assessing the adjuster’s repair estimate
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Providing additional documentation to support your claim
At Hedrick Construction, we offer no-pressure inspections to help you verify the adjuster’s findings and catch anything they may have missed before any work begins.
Understand your out-of-pocket costs
Your total out-of-pocket costs will depend on your deductible, any upgrades you might choose, depreciation of your property (if applicable), and any losses that are not covered by your policy. When you receive an estimate to repair the damage, refer to the adjuster’s summary to understand the total amount that you will need to pay. If you choose to work with us at Hedrick, we can walk you through all of this before you commit to anything.
Watch out for storm chasers!
If your home was damaged in a storm, it may become a magnet for unscrupulous storm chasers. When storms hit, out-of-town contractors often come flooding in, knocking on doors to offer quick services, perform subpar work, and then disappear. Be leery of anyone who appears at your door and pressures you with aggressive sales tactics, asks for a large up-front payment, or can’t provide any local references or a local physical address.
A trusted local roofing company can offer much more than just labor. They’re a stable, accessible part of your community that you can hold accountable for providing quality work. If something goes wrong next year, they will still be around to fix it.
Schedule the work with a licensed & insured contractor
Once you clearly understand what your insurance covers, what your costs will be, and who you want to work with, it’s time to schedule repairs. Your contractor should pull any required permits, prioritize timely work to prevent further damage, and keep you informed throughout the process
At Hedrick, we treat every home we work on like it’s our own. We’re committed to serving our Central Iowa customers with honesty, quality craftsmanship, and clear communication.
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!
If you're unsure about your adjuster's report or what to do next, Hedrick Construction offers free inspections for you to compare against the insurance findings. We’ll help you understand your options, avoid costly mistakes, and help make sure you get the coverage you’re entitled to.
If you’re in Polk, Dallas, Boone, or Story County, reach out to schedule your inspection or get advice from our experienced team.
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