The 8 Roofing Line Items Insurance Adjusters Always Miss (And How to Get Them Paid)

The Game Adjusters Play on Every Roofing Claim

Insurance adjusters aren't incompetent — they're incentivized. Every dollar they exclude from an initial estimate is a dollar the insurance company doesn't have to pay unless the contractor pushes back. Most contractors don't. They accept the initial estimate, do the work, and absorb the loss. The adjusters know this. It's not personal — it's a system.

The good news: the system has rules. There are specific IRC codes, Xactimate procedures, and manufacturer requirements that make certain line items non-negotiable. When you cite them correctly in a professional supplement letter, the adjuster has no legitimate basis to deny the item. Here are the 8 they miss most often.

1. Starter Strip — RFG STRT

Why they miss it: Adjusters frequently include starter strip in the field shingle count or omit it entirely, treating it as a component of the shingle installation rather than a separate material.

Why it's owed: Starter strip is a separate product required by IRC R905.2.8.5 at all eaves and rakes. It is not included in field shingles. It has its own Xactimate line item (RFG STRT) and must be estimated separately.

Supplement language: "Starter strip is required at all eaves and rakes per IRC R905.2.8.5 and [manufacturer] installation requirements. This is a separate material from field shingles and is not included in the field shingle line item. Xactimate: RFG STRT. Quantity: [X] LF."

2. Hip & Ridge Cap — RFG RIDGCAP

Why they miss it: Adjusters include ridge cap in the field shingle square count, which is incorrect. Hip and ridge cap is a separate product with separate material and labor costs.

Why it's owed: Hip and ridge cap shingles are a distinct product from field shingles. They require separate estimation based on the linear footage of all hips and ridges on the roof. The Xactimate line item is RFG RIDGCAP.

3. Drip Edge — RFG DRIP

Why they miss it: Drip edge is frequently omitted from initial estimates entirely, or adjusters claim it was not damaged.

Why it's owed: When a roof is replaced, drip edge must be replaced per IRC R905.2.8.5. It is a separate material that protects the roof deck from water intrusion at the edges. The Xactimate line item is RFG DRIP.

4. Ice & Water Shield — RFG ICEWTR

Why they miss it: Adjusters exclude it in regions they consider "warm" or underestimate the required coverage area.

Why it's owed: Ice and water shield is required by IRC R905.1.2 in cold climates and in all valleys regardless of climate. Coverage requirements are specified by both the IRC and the shingle manufacturer's installation instructions.

5. Overhead & Profit — O&P

Why they miss it: This is the most commonly disputed line item in roofing supplements. Adjusters deny O&P by claiming the job is "simple," the contractor is a "direct repair" shop, or that O&P is not applicable to roofing.

Why it's owed: Overhead and Profit is a standard Xactimate line item that represents the legitimate costs of project coordination, scheduling, material procurement, and business overhead. It is owed on any job that requires a general contractor function — which includes virtually every roofing job that involves coordination with the homeowner, material delivery, and crew management.

Supplement language: "Overhead and Profit is a standard component of any professionally managed roofing project. We are requesting 10% overhead and 10% profit on all applicable line items per standard Xactimate methodology. The denial of O&P is not supported by Xactimate guidelines or industry standard practice."

6. Step Flashing — RFG FLASH

Why they miss it: Step flashing at wall/roof intersections is frequently missed on claims involving dormers, chimneys, or walls adjacent to the roof surface.

Why it's owed: Step flashing is required at all wall/roof intersections and must be replaced when the roof is replaced. The Xactimate line item is RFG FLASH, estimated by linear footage of all wall/roof intersections.

7. Pipe Boot / Pipe Flashing — RFG PIPE

Why they miss it: Adjusters frequently omit pipe boots from the estimate or include only one when multiple are present on the roof.

Why it's owed: Every pipe penetration through the roof requires a new pipe boot when the roof is replaced. Pipe boots are separate line items in Xactimate (RFG PIPE) and must be counted individually for each penetration.

8. Roof Deck Repair — RFG DECK

Why they miss it: Adjusters exclude deck repair because it cannot be confirmed until the old shingles are removed. They write the initial estimate without it and expect the contractor to absorb the cost.

Why it's owed: Damaged or deteriorated roof decking discovered during tear-off is a legitimate supplement item. Document it with photos before installation and submit the supplement with square footage of damaged decking and the Xactimate line item RFG DECK.

How to Get All 8 Paid

The key to getting these items approved is documentation and citation. For each missed line item, your supplement letter needs three things: the Xactimate line item code, the IRC section or manufacturer requirement that makes it mandatory, and the quantity with a clear calculation.

Supplement Tool generates letters with all of this automatically. You enter the claim details and select the missed items — the AI writes the letter with the correct codes, citations, and quantities. Most contractors recover $1,200–$2,800 per job in items that were initially excluded from the estimate.