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Retail roofers doing cash jobs can skip Xactimate entirely. If you work insurance restoration claims, though, operating without it is an uphill grind. When a storm hits, adjusters, desk reviewers, and carrier software run on Verisk's platform. Speak their language, and claims move; ignore it, and expect friction at every turn.
Carriers build scopes around localized unit pricing and specific line-item codes for materials like starter, drip edge, and ridge cap. Submit a generic lump-sum invoice, and an adjuster will immediately kick it back. They need line items, code upgrades, and material waste split into distinct Replacement Cost Value (RCV) and Actual Cash Value (ACV) figures. Source: Storm Xactimate.
Do roofers use Xactimate for insurance claims?
Yes. Restoration contractors rely on it daily because insurance carriers price claims against Xactimate's regional databases.
Send an adjuster a flat QuickBooks bid for a full roof replacement, and your file stalls out. Desk reviewers cannot approve an unitemized total. They look for square (SQ) and linear foot (LF) measurements, tear-off labor, disposal fees, and pitch charges. Writing line by line removes the guesswork, showing the adjuster exactly how you reached your number so you can debate real job requirements instead of invoice formatting.
What makes a roof estimate carrier-ready?
A raw software printout will not get a claim approved. To satisfy a desk adjuster, your estimate needs documentation backing up every single line item:
- Accurate geometry: Detailed roof facet and pitch diagrams.
- Photo documentation: Clear damage photos pinned directly to the corresponding line items.
- Professional presentation: Contractor branding and contact details on the cover page.
- Complete line items: Often-omitted essentials like drip edge, valley ice-and-water shield, starter strip, and ridge cap.
Clean PDF files are the day-to-day standard for submissions; ESX files should be supplied only when a carrier specifically requests them. If you skip these components, you risk leaving money on the table—either absorbing material costs yourself or fighting an exhausting supplement battle later on.
How do you handle measurement delays and missing line items during storm season?
Waiting days for third-party aerial reports from EagleView, Hover, or GAF QuickMeasure stalls your estimating pipeline. You simply cannot draft a reliable scope without precise square and linear foot totals.
During the intense volume of the 2026 storm season, contractor burnout is a constant threat. Sales reps are forced to choose between running leads to sign deals and sitting behind a computer keying in line items.
Rushed estimates lead to expensive oversights. Field teams frequently forget starter strips, drip edge, proper waste factor calculations, and overhead and profit (O&P) on multi-trade builds. Every missed item eats into your gross margin. You need a workflow that captures every piece of damage proven by your photos and measurements without pulling sales reps out of the field.
How do you handle adjuster pushback without an Xactimate seat?
Even a meticulous estimate can be cut short on the carrier’s initial inspection, making a supplement necessary. Yet many contractors have neither the software seat nor the desk time to draft a line-by-line rebuttal.
Supplementing works best as a calm, mechanical process. Compare the carrier’s paperwork against your field photos, aerial measurements, and local building codes. If an adjuster leaves off a steep pitch charge or code-required ice and water barrier, supply the physical evidence rather than arguing. Submitting code documentation, pitch diagrams, and clear site photos forces the desk reviewer to address hard job facts instead of dismissing an arbitrary dollar amount.
How Storm Xactimate handles this for you
Upload your claim details, roof specs, and field photos directly from your phone. If you don't already have an EagleView, Hover, or GAF QuickMeasure report, Storm Xactimate orders it—aerial measurements are included. Line items are generated in Xactimate using current regional price lists, adding required code items like drip edge, valley lining, starter course, and O&P where applicable. Every estimate is reviewed by an experienced estimator before it goes out.
Within 24 hours of receiving a complete order, you get a carrier-ready PDF complete with roof diagrams, labeled photos, and your company branding. ESX files are provided upon request. You can follow your file across every phase: Received, Measuring, Building, Review, and Delivered. If the adjuster pushes back, simply upload their estimate or letter within 30 days of delivery for one included round of revisions or supplements. Start an estimate with Storm Xactimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Xactimate for free? No. Verisk does not offer a free version of Xactimate. The platform requires ongoing seat and license fees. Roofers looking to avoid monthly software overhead often outsource their estimates per claim rather than carrying a subscription. Review the pricing section for individual estimate ordering details.
Should I show the roofer my insurance estimate? Yes. For contractors, reviewing the adjuster's scope is standard practice. It allows the roofer to verify that all necessary line items—such as ice and water shield, drip edge, accurate pitch, and realistic waste factors—were accounted for on the initial pass.
What kind of insurance does a roofer need? Roofing contractors typically carry general liability coverage for property damage, commercial auto policies for company vehicles, and workers' compensation for crew injuries. Mandatory coverage thresholds depend on state regulations and local licensing boards.
Do I need an ESX file to submit a roof claim? No. Adjusters and desk reviewers primarily assess claims using clean PDF packages that pair line items with diagrams and photos. Raw ESX files are generally supplied only when an adjuster or carrier auditor explicitly asks for them.
