7 UPPA Mistakes Your Roofer Is Making (and How They Risk Your Insurance Payout)

At NPA Adjusting, we spend every single day in the trenches with roofing companies. We know how hard roofing salesmen work. You’re out there climbing ladders, battling the heat, and dealing with homeowners who are stressed out after a storm. We respect the hustle because, let’s be honest, without a solid roofer, a property doesn’t stand a chance.

However, there is a massive elephant in the room that often puts both the roofer and the homeowner in a dangerous spot: UPPA.

UPPA stands for the Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting. It sounds like a mouthful of legal jargon, but in the world of insurance claims, it’s the difference between a successful project and a legal nightmare. When a roofing salesman crosses the line from "contractor" to "adjuster," everyone loses. The contract can be voided, the roofing company can face massive fines, and most importantly, the homeowner’s insurance payout is put at risk.

We are here to advocate for a better way. We believe in a team dynamic where the roofer handles the construction and we, as your Public Adjuster, handle the insurance carrier.

Let’s dive into the 7 most common UPPA mistakes we see in the field and how they might be hurting your residential claims.

1. Negotiating the Settlement Amount with the Carrier

This is the most common mistake. A roofer meets an insurance adjuster on a driveway and starts arguing about the "price" of the shingles or the total "dollar amount" of the settlement.

While a contractor is absolutely allowed to discuss the scope of work (what needs to be fixed), they are legally barred in most states from negotiating the value of the claim. When a roofer starts haggling over line items in Xactimate, they are acting as a Public Adjuster without a license.

We’ve seen cases where carriers flag these files, causing massive delays. By letting a licensed professional from NPA Adjusting handle the financial negotiation, the roofer stays protected, and the homeowner gets a fair shake.

2. Interpreting Policy Language for the Homeowner

Insurance policies are 60-page monsters filled with exclusions, endorsements, and "legalese." It’s tempting for a roofing salesman to tell a homeowner, "Don't worry, your policy covers 'Law and Ordinance' so they have to pay for the drip edge."

The moment a contractor interprets what a policy "covers" or "excludes," they’ve stepped into UPPA territory. Interpreting a legal contract (which is what an insurance policy is) requires a license.

If a roofer gives the wrong advice, and the claim is denied based on that advice, the homeowner is left holding the bag. We prefer to step in early to provide a professional initial consultation to clarify exactly what the policy allows.

3. Using "Negotiation" Language in the Roofing Contract

Many roofing companies use a "Contingency Agreement" that says something like, "We will negotiate your insurance claim on your behalf."

In states like Texas and Florida, this single sentence can make the entire contract void and unenforceable. There have been court cases where contractors finished a $50,000 roof, but because their contract promised to "negotiate the claim," the court ruled the homeowner didn't have to pay them a dime.

Protect your hard work! We work with roofing companies to ensure their residential claims are handled legally by separating the construction contract from the claims process.

4. Filing the Claim on Behalf of the Policyholder

We get it: you want to provide great customer service. But a roofing salesman should never be the one to actually "file" the claim.

When a contractor calls the 1-800 number for the homeowner or fills out the online portal, they are representing the client in a legal capacity. If the insurance company finds out a third party filed the claim without the proper licensing, it can lead to a "SIU" (Special Investigative Unit) referral.

Instead, the homeowner should file the claim, or they should hire a licensed Public Adjuster to assist. Check out our guide on 10 things you should know before filing to see how we help streamline this.

5. Handling the "Supplement" Process Improperly

Supplementing is a huge part of the roofing business. You find more damage once the shingles are off, and you need more money.

The mistake happens when the supplement is framed as a "re-negotiation of the claim." If the roofer is arguing with the carrier about why the carrier must pay for a specific item based on policy language, they are crossing that line again.

At NPA Adjusting, we view supplements as an opportunity to protect the homeowner’s investment. We handle the heavy lifting of the paperwork so the roofer can focus on the build. If you're a contractor, we have a dedicated section just for you.

6. Representing the Homeowner in Appraisal

If the insurance company and the homeowner can't agree on the price, many policies have an "Appraisal" clause. This is a mini-arbitration process.

A roofing contractor cannot act as the "Appraiser" for their own job in many jurisdictions because they are not considered "disinterested." Furthermore, they cannot represent the homeowner's interests in the appraisal process without being a licensed PA or attorney.

Trying to "win" an appraisal as a roofer often leads to the whole process being thrown out. We advocate for the homeowner through the MaxClaims process to ensure the appraisal is done right the first time.

7. Arguing Coverage vs. Liability During Inspections

During the adjuster's inspection, it’s common for a roofing salesman to say, "This is hail damage, and you have to cover it."

While the roofer can certainly point out the damage (the "facts"), the moment they start arguing about "Liability" (the insurance company's legal obligation to pay), they are practicing public adjusting.

Adjusters are trained to look for UPPA violations. If a roofer is too aggressive with policy talk, the adjuster may shut down the conversation entirely, which hurts the homeowner's chances of a fair payout. For a deeper look into why estimates often fall short, check out why your insurance estimate isn't covering your roof.

Why This Matters for Your Insurance Payout

You might be thinking, "Tony, we’ve been doing it this way for years. Why change now?"

The reality is that insurance carriers are getting stricter. They are looking for any reason to deny or underpay a claim. If they see a roofer overstepping, they use it as leverage to stall the claim.

When you partner with a Public Adjuster, you are creating a "shield" for the project.

• The Homeowner is protected because they have a licensed advocate.

• The Roofer is protected because they stay within their legal scope of work.

• The Claim is protected because it is handled by professionals who know how to speak the carrier's language.

We aren't here to take over the roofer's job. We are here to make sure the roofer gets paid for the work they do and that the homeowner gets the roof they deserve.

Let’s Work Together

If you’re a roofing salesman or a roofing company owner, don’t risk your business or your client’s payout by accidentally committing UPPA violations. The legal landscape is changing, and staying compliant is the only way to scale your business safely in 2026.

Whether it’s a small residential claim or a complex commercial project, we have the expertise to bring the claim to a successful finish.

Let's protect these investments together. If you have a claim that feels like it’s hitting a brick wall, or if you want to make sure your contracts are on the right side of the law, let's chat!

Reach out to us today for an initial consultation. We’re in this to make sure the good guys win.

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