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If you’re a homeowner, someone knocking on your door offering a free roof inspection might seem helpful — especially after bad weather. But before you sign anything, there’s an important question you need to ask yourself:
Should you sign a roofing contract before talking to your insurance company or a trusted insurance professional?
The short answer — for most homeowners — is: no, not before you understand your policy and how your claim will be handled.
This article explains why, in clear, homeowner-friendly terms, so you can make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Door-to-door roofing solicitations often start like this:
A contractor knocks and says they’ve been replacing roofs in your neighborhood or that damage might be hiding up there. They offer a free inspection and seem ready to help you navigate insurance. After getting up on the roof, they point out issues you didn’t see from the ground and suggest your policy should cover the repair or replacement.
Some even go so far as to promise that they can help you get a brand-new roof through your insurance without risk.
This can feel reassuring — especially if you’re new to insurance claims and just want the best outcome for your home.
But here’s the catch: what sounds like help can sometimes put you in a contract that binds you financially before you truly understand your coverage.
Once you sign a roofing or contingency contract, it’s legally enforceable.
Even though some contractors may call it an “authorization” or an “agreement,” in many cases you’ve actually signed a contract that obligates you to pay if you don’t use that contractor — even if the insurer ends up using someone else.
Documents labeled as “contingency agreements” are often used to lock in the deal by stating something like:
“If you go with another contractor or cancel, you owe us X% of the insurance proceeds.”
Some agreements are clear about these penalties in the fine print. Others bury them deep in the contract language.
Either way, once signed, these provisions may be legally enforceable.
Here’s where things can get complicated.
Most homeowners insurance policies contain a provision that gives the insurer the right — not the obligation — to choose the contractor who performs the repair or replacement. This is often called an option to repair clause.
That means:
When your policy contains an option to repair, your insurance rights can supersede your contract with the roofer. If your insurer chooses their own contractor, you could still be obligated to pay your original roofing company — even though they do nothing. This is the scenario that leads to many homeowners owing thousands of dollars in cancellation or contingency fees.
Here’s an actual contract term one homeowner shared with us:
The contract stated that the homeowner could cancel within three business days of signing by sending a certified letter to the contractor.
But after three days, if the contract was canceled, the homeowner would owe 20% of the project value based on the insurance scope of work to offset the contractor’s “effort.”
So if the insurance claim approved a $25,000 roof, that contractor claimed the homeowner could owe $5,000.
If it were a larger roof job — like tile, where replacements can easily cost $40,000–$50,000 — the homeowner could be on the hook for close to $10,000.
In many cases, what’s being charged doesn’t reflect hours of work done — maybe two one-hour inspections (initial and adjuster meeting) and a few emails or calls. But the contract language still obligates the homeowner to pay.
This is why reading the fine print is so important.
Some states do give homeowners a limited right to cancel a contract after signing. In many places, this “right to rescind” must be clearly disclosed in writing and is often only a small window — usually three business days — after signing.
That means if you signed a contract and realized later that you weren’t ready to commit, you may have a limited timeframe (often just a few days) to cancel without penalty. After that period, the cancellation fees in the contract can apply.
This rescission period varies by state, and in some areas it can be longer (for example, under certain emergency provisions, some states may offer 10-day rescission rights, though these are not universal).
Bottom line:
If you’ve signed and realize you need to reconsider, check your contract immediately for any cancellation window — and document your action if you decide to cancel.
Most homeowners are not familiar with the intricate language of insurance policies or contract law. Contractors, on the other hand, see these documents regularly and know how to use language that protects their interests.
This imbalance often leaves the homeowner at a disadvantage.
Roofers may use classic sales pressure: “Sign now,” “Limited availability,” “Everyone else is doing it,” “Insurance will pay everything — no risk for you.” These pitches can make homeowners feel like hesitation is costly or risky.
It’s also important to understand that roofers are not legally allowed to adjust insurance claims or act as your legal representative with the insurer in many states. While they can help prepare estimates or documentation, they aren’t substitutes for talking to your insurance company, agent, or a qualified claims professional.
Before signing anything, get clarity from your insurance company about:
Having this conversation first removes much of the guesswork.
Ask someone you trust — such as a lawyer, claims consultant, or trusted agent — to look at anything you’re asked to sign. If cancellation fees or exclusivity provisions are in there, you deserve to know exactly what you’re agreeing to.
Pressure sales rarely result in good decisions. A reputable contractor will understand your need to take time to consider and clarify details.
Check for cancellation/rescission clauses immediately and act within whatever timeframe is given — even if it’s short.
Let’s be clear: roofers provide valuable work. When there’s legitimate damage and proper coordination with insurance, a roofer who performs labor and delivers a quality roof should be paid fairly for their work.
This article isn’t an indictment of roofers — it’s a warning about timing and transparency.
The issue isn’t that roofers exist. It’s that homeowners are often asked to sign away rights or agree to fees without fully understanding them. Expectations should be set upfront, and the fine print should be revealed before signing — not after the fact when a financial penalty hits.
Signing a roofing contract before talking to your insurance company — or before understanding your coverage — can result in significant costs, unintended obligations, and confusion.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
By taking the time to understand your policy, talk to the right professionals, and read every part of a contract before signing, you preserve your right to choose, avoid costly penalties, and ensure you’re making the best decision for your home.
Because at Happy Adjuster, we believe:
Being insured isn’t the same as being covered — and clarity before commitment is the key to peace of mind.
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