After a hailstorm rolls through Wise County, homeowners get calls from several directions at once, and the job titles blur together fast. A public adjuster, a field adjuster, and a roofing contractor all end up standing on the same roof, but only one of them works for the insurance company, only one of them is licensed to negotiate your claim, and only one of them is going to install shingles.
Knowing who does what protects you twice: it keeps you from paying for help you do not need, and it keeps you from asking a contractor to do something they have no business doing.
Here is the honest breakdown of the three roles you are likely to meet.
What a Public Adjuster Is
A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who represents the policyholder — not the carrier. Their work centers on the policy and the settlement rather than on the roof itself.
Typically, a public adjuster will:
- Read your policy and explain how the coverage, endorsements, and deductibles apply to your loss
- Prepare an independent estimate of the damage across the whole property, not just the roof
- Present that estimate and negotiate the settlement directly with the carrier's adjuster
- Handle the correspondence and paperwork through to resolution
Public adjusting is a licensed occupation in Texas, with its own registration and conduct requirements. Public adjusters are usually compensated as a share of the settlement, which is agreed in a written contract before they begin.
What a Roofing Contractor Does on a Claim
A roofer's role is the physical evidence and the repair. We get on the roof, chalk and photograph hits, count them by slope, check the collateral surfaces, and put together a scope of work that reflects what it actually takes to restore the roof — decking, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, drip edge, ridge caps, and all.
That documentation matters because a field adjuster may be inspecting dozens of properties a week. A thorough roof inspection with dated photographs gives everyone a shared record instead of two competing memories. Our guide on what insurance adjusters look for on your roof covers how those inspections usually run.
We also meet the adjuster on site. Standing on the roof together, pointing at the same test square, resolves more disagreements than any amount of email.
Why Cannon Roofing Is Not a Public Adjuster
We say this plainly because the line matters. Cannon Roofing documents damage and works alongside your adjuster. We do not adjust claims, negotiate settlements, interpret your policy language, or advise you on what your coverage owes you. Those are the public adjuster's job and your carrier's job.
A roofing contractor who offers to "handle your whole claim," tells you what your policy covers, or promises a particular settlement outcome is stepping outside a contractor's lane. That is a signal worth paying attention to, along with the other warnings in our article on roofing contingency agreements.
The same goes for deductibles. You are expected to pay yours. Any offer to waive, absorb, or bury it in the invoice is a red flag, no matter how it is worded.
How to Decide Whether You Need One
There is no universal answer, and reasonable homeowners land on both sides.
Many straightforward residential hail claims move along fine with clear contractor documentation, an on-site adjuster meeting, and a supplement if something was missed. The homeowner stays in the loop, and there is no third fee coming out of the settlement.
Homeowners more often consider a public adjuster when the loss is large or complicated, when several structures and interior contents are involved, when the claim has stalled or been disputed repeatedly, or when they simply do not have the time and stomach for the back-and-forth. If you are weighing it, ask your agent and read any contract carefully before signing.
Working With Both
Nothing stops a public adjuster and a roofer from working the same claim, and on complex losses that combination is common. The public adjuster handles policy and negotiation; the roofer supplies the technical roof evidence and, ultimately, the repair.
What you should never do is let one person occupy both chairs. Independent documentation from a contractor who will stand behind the workmanship is worth more when it is exactly what it appears to be.
Cannon Roofing has documented storm damage across Decatur and Greater North Texas since 1994, and our insurance claim support stays firmly on the roofing side of that line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a public adjuster actually do? A public adjuster is licensed to represent the policyholder on a claim. They review the policy, prepare and present a loss estimate, and negotiate with the carrier's adjuster on your behalf, usually for a fee tied to the settlement.
Is Cannon Roofing a public adjuster? No. Cannon Roofing is a roofing contractor. We inspect and document damage, provide a written repair scope, and meet your adjuster on the roof so both sides are looking at the same evidence. We do not negotiate your claim or interpret your policy.
Do I need a public adjuster for a hail claim? Many straightforward residential hail claims are handled with good contractor documentation and direct contact with your adjuster. Larger, disputed, or complex losses are where homeowners more often consider hiring one. Ask your agent what your options are.
Storm damage to document? Call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045 or request a free quote. We inspect, photograph, and scope roof damage 24/7 across Decatur, Wise County & Greater North Texas.