Insurance Adjuster
A licensed professional who evaluates property damage claims for an insurance company.
Whose Interest They Represent
An insurance adjuster is employed or contracted directly by your insurance company to inspect storm damage and determine what the policy will pay. They are not neutral — their job is to accurately scope covered damage per your policy language, but they work for and are paid by the insurer, not you.
Your Rights During the Inspection
In Ohio, you're entitled to be present (or have your contractor present) during the adjuster's roof inspection, to receive a written copy of their damage estimate, and to dispute the findings if you believe damage was missed — a common outcome when the adjuster only inspects from the ground or one roof slope. If the adjuster's estimate misses damage your contractor documents with photos, you can request a re-inspection or supplement before accepting the settlement.
This differs from a public adjuster, who you hire independently to represent your interests instead of the insurer's — see Public Adjuster.