Direct Answer
You can start necessary emergency or temporary repairs before the insurance adjuster visits, but you generally should not begin permanent repairs until the insurer has had an opportunity to inspect the damage. The purpose of emergency repairs is to prevent additional damage—not to complete the final restoration.
For Florida property claims, the Department of Financial Services advises policyholders to document the damage first, make necessary temporary repairs to prevent further damage, keep receipts, and avoid permanent repairs before the insurer’s inspection because the insurer has a right to inspect the damage. (Florida Department of Financial Services – Property Damage and Repairs)
Who This Applies To
This applies to commercial property owners, facility managers, property managers, businesses, developers, and other policyholders dealing with storm, hurricane, wind, or other covered property damage.
Not for: Do not interpret this as permission to begin a full roof replacement, permanent membrane repair, demolition, or other major restoration before the insurer has documented the loss unless your insurer or policy specifically permits it.
1. What Repairs Can I Start Immediately?
Emergency and temporary repairs intended to prevent further damage can generally be started. Examples for a commercial roof may include:
- Installing a temporary roof tarp or temporary covering.
- Stopping active water intrusion where safely possible.
- Removing water that is entering the building.
- Temporarily securing exposed areas.
- Removing an immediate safety hazard.
- Taking reasonable measures to protect equipment and building contents.
Florida’s Department of Financial Services specifically advises policyholders to make temporary repairs when necessary to prevent additional damage, while documenting the condition before and after the work. (Florida Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate – Be Your Own Advocate)
2. What Should I Do Before Making Emergency Repairs?
- Make the area safe. Do not enter an unsafe roof or building area.
- Photograph the damage. Take wide and close-up photographs.
- Record video where useful. Show water intrusion, displaced materials, debris, and other conditions.
- Notify the insurance company. Report the claim as soon as possible.
- Document the emergency work. Record what was done and why.
- Keep receipts and invoices. Save material and labor documentation.
- Preserve damaged materials when practical. Do not dispose of evidence that may be needed for the claim unless it presents a safety or health hazard.
Florida DFS recommends photographing or recording damage before repairs and keeping receipts for emergency repair materials and labor. (Florida DFS – General Insurance Coverage FAQs)
3. Can I Permanently Repair the Roof Before the Adjuster Arrives?
It is generally better to wait. The insurer needs an opportunity to inspect the original damage and determine the cause, scope, and reasonable repair requirements.
Florida DFS specifically states that policyholders should not make permanent repairs before the insurance company’s inspection because the insurer has a right to inspect the damage. (Florida DFS – Property Damage and Repairs)
Citizens similarly states that it must have the opportunity to inspect damage and that permanent removal or repairs may be authorized after the physical inspection. (Citizens – Temporary Repairs)
4. What If the Damage Is Causing More Damage?
Do not leave an active leak or dangerous opening untreated simply because the adjuster has not arrived. Take reasonable temporary measures to prevent the loss from becoming worse.
For example, if a hurricane damages a commercial roof and rain is entering the building, temporary weather protection may be necessary. Document the roof before the temporary repair whenever it is safe to do so, then document the temporary repair afterward.
The key distinction is:
| Action | Before Adjuster Visit? |
|---|---|
| Photograph/video damage | Yes |
| Report the claim | Yes – as soon as possible |
| Temporary tarp or emergency protection | Yes, when necessary to prevent further damage |
| Remove an immediate safety hazard | Yes, when necessary and safe |
| Full roof replacement | Generally wait for inspection/authorization |
| Permanent membrane restoration | Generally wait for inspection/authorization |
| Permanent demolition of damaged areas | Generally wait unless necessary for safety or authorized |
5. What If the Adjuster Is Delayed?
Contact the insurance company and document the delay. If additional damage is likely to occur without temporary protection, take reasonable emergency measures to mitigate the loss and keep detailed records.
Florida’s Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate advises policyholders to follow up with the insurer when an assigned adjuster has not contacted them within a reasonable period. (Florida Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate)
Do not interpret an adjuster’s delay as automatic permission to proceed with unrestricted permanent repairs. If permanent work is urgently required, obtain instructions or authorization from the insurer and document the communication.
6. What Documentation Should I Keep?
For a commercial roof claim, create a claim file containing:
- Before-repair photographs and videos.
- After-repair photographs and videos.
- Insurance claim number.
- Adjuster’s name and contact information.
- Dates and times of communications.
- Temporary repair invoices.
- Material receipts.
- Contractor estimates.
- Inspection reports.
- Roof photographs and maintenance records.
- Permits where applicable.
- Permanent repair estimates.
- Storm reports or other relevant event documentation.
Citizens states that photographs, receipts or invoices, inspection reports, regulatory permits, and final roof permits can be used as proof-of-repair documentation in applicable property-damage situations. (Citizens – Proof-of-Repair Documentation)
7. Should I Get a Roofing Contractor Involved Before the Adjuster?
You can obtain professional help to secure the property and document the damage. However, be careful about allowing a contractor to begin permanent claim-related work before the insurer has inspected the property.
Florida’s Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate recommends allowing the insurance company to inspect claim-related damage before a contractor starts work and advises policyholders to verify that contractors are properly licensed and insured. (Florida Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate – Contractor/Fraud Guidance)
A roofing contractor can also prepare an estimate and identify visible damage without necessarily beginning permanent restoration.
8. What If I Already Started Repairs?
Do not assume the claim is automatically denied. Instead, immediately document what was present before the work, what was repaired, why the work was necessary, and what materials and labor were used.
Provide the insurer with photographs, videos, receipts, invoices, contractor reports, and any other evidence showing the original condition. Citizens states that photographs and supporting receipts or invoices can be used to document completed repairs. (Citizens – Proof-of-Repair Documentation)
9. What Is the Safest Process for a Commercial Roof Claim?
- Document the damage.
- Report the claim directly to the insurer.
- Prevent further damage with temporary measures.
- Keep damaged materials and evidence when practical.
- Arrange the adjuster’s inspection.
- Obtain the roofing contractor’s inspection and estimate.
- Compare the insurer’s scope with the contractor’s findings.
- Obtain authorization before major permanent repairs when required.
- Keep complete repair documentation.
Bottom Line
Yes, you can generally start emergency or temporary repairs before the insurance adjuster arrives when they are necessary to prevent further damage. However, permanent commercial roof repairs should generally wait until the insurer has had an opportunity to inspect the damage or has specifically authorized the work.
For a hurricane or storm-damaged commercial roof, photograph and document the original condition first, notify the insurer promptly, protect the building from additional damage, preserve evidence where practical, and keep every receipt and repair record.
Related Questions
- How quickly should I respond to a commercial roof leak?
- How do you actually find a commercial roof leak?
- What documentation should be kept throughout a leak investigation?
- What roof documentation will an insurance engineer request?
- How do I prove the age of my commercial roof for a claim?
Sources
- Florida Department of Financial Services – Property Damage and Repairs
- Florida Office of the Insurance Consumer Advocate – Be Your Own Advocate
- Florida Department of Financial Services – General Insurance Coverage FAQs
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation – Temporary Repairs
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation – Proof-of-Repair Documentation
Last reviewed: October 2026
Related Resources
For storm-damaged commercial roofs, maintain a complete claim file containing original damage photographs, temporary repair records, contractor estimates, adjuster communications, invoices, inspection reports, and final repair documentation.
Need Commercial Roofing Help?
ShieldLine Roofing can help document commercial roof damage, identify temporary protection needs, prepare repair estimates, and evaluate storm-related roof conditions.
Disclaimer: Insurance policies vary. This information is general educational guidance and does not determine coverage, claim value, or whether a particular repair will be reimbursed. Follow your policy and instructions from your insurance carrier.
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