Insurance adjusting is evolving at a faster pace than ever. Between AI-driven workflows, growing policyholder expectations, and growing roof claim complexity, today’s adjusters need to operate with precision, discipline, and the right tools. Success in 2026 won’t come from simply “getting through volume”; it will come from becoming the adjuster who consistently delivers accurate claims, minimizes supplements, and elevates the policyholder experience.
The great news? Highly successful adjusters aren’t “born”; they’re built. They cultivate habits that enable them to work smarter, reduce cycle time, stay ahead of changes in roofing codes, and communicate with clarity and confidence.
Here are the seven habits that define the best adjusters in the industry today and the ones that will shape the next generation of roofing claim professionals tomorrow.
Habit 1: They Prioritize Accuracy Above Everything Else
Accuracy is the foundation of credibility—and the fastest path to fewer supplements.
Top adjusters know that accuracy isn’t just a box to check; it’s the single biggest driver of cycle time, reinspection rates, policyholder satisfaction, and supplement reduction.
Roofing claims, in particular, introduce complexity, including local codes, jurisdiction-specific requirements, manufacturer specifications, line-by-line measurement details, and weather-related considerations. Missing any of these can create downstream headaches, from additional supplements to frustrated contractors to confused policyholders.
Highly successful adjusters develop accuracy through predictable systems, rather than relying on memory.
They rely on tools and workflows that remove guesswork, especially when navigating state and local building codes.
This is where OneClick Code has become indispensable. Instead of spending hours digging through municipal websites, cross-referencing code books, or Googling requirements that may or may not be current, adjusters can instantly:
- Validate roofing codes for any property
- Access accurate jurisdiction data
- Confirm enforceable requirements
- Ensure their estimates reflect local law
- Reduce the back-and-forth that leads to supplements
Result: Claims are sent out cleaner, faster, and with higher accuracy, all of which build trust and reduce cycle time.
In 2026, accuracy is no longer optional. It’s the habit that everything else is built on.
Habit 2: They Master Their Tools and Technology
A modern adjuster isn’t just a claims professional; they’re a tech-enabled problem solver.
Adjusters today have access to more software than ever before:
- Estimating platforms like Xactimate and Symbility
- Remote measurement tools such as EagleView
- Code verification tools like OneClick Code
- Desk review automation
- 3-year weather history viewed via OneClick Code
- CMS and workflow systems such as Acculynx
While average adjusters dabble in these tools, top adjusters master them.
- They learn shortcuts.
- They build templates.
- They automate repetitive work.
- They use integrations that save time and prevent mistakes.
- They track updates so they’re never caught off guard by new features.
And importantly… They adopt new tech early.
Looking forward to 2026, tech fluency won’t be a “nice-to-have”; it will be a differentiator that directly affects performance.
The most successful adjusters know that their tools are not obstacles: they’re multipliers.
Habit 3: They Communicate Clearly, Confidently, and Proactively
A great adjuster is also a great communicator.
Policyholders remember three things:
- How fast the claim moved
- Whether they felt heard
- Whether the adjuster seemed competent and trustworthy
Technical accuracy is essential, but your communication can elevate or erode the entire policyholder experience.
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Highly successful adjusters communicate using:
Clarity
They explain coverage, decisions, and next steps simply and without jargon.
Transparency
They set expectations early and consistently reinforce them. Policyholders are informed of the next steps and expected processes without having to ask.
Empathy
They acknowledge stress, loss, and complexity. A roofing claim may be “routine” for the adjuster—but it’s an event for the policyholder.
Documentation
They leave nothing ambiguous. Every conversation becomes a documented asset.
Calm and Confidant
Tough conversations feel easier because the adjuster is equipped to address anything that comes up along the way.
The best adjusters understand that communication isn’t part of the job… It is the job.
Habit 4: They Leverage Data, Not Opinions
In 2026, the adjusters who win will be the ones who can point to verifiable information.
Top adjusters don’t rely on guesses, past experience, or assumptions, especially when reviewing roofing claims. Too many supplements, disputes, and delays happen because someone’s gut feeling replaced verifiable data.
Successful adjusters use measurable, defensible data such as:
- Verified building codes
- Documented weather events
- Third-party roof measurements
- Manufacturer specifications
- Photo and video evidence
- AI-enabled documentation analysis
- Comparative historical claim data
This is another area where OneClick Code has changed the game. Instead of relying on general knowledge of local building requirements or “what contractors usually say,” adjusters can back up every decision with evidence that is:
- Jurisdiction-specific
- Easily documented
- Easily shareable
- Legally enforceable
- Defensible if escalated
When decisions are based on verified data rather than subjective opinion, two things happen:
- The estimate becomes nearly supplement-proof.
- Everyone wins — the policyholder, contractor, and carrier.
Data is the adjuster’s shield. And in 2026, it will be the difference between friction and efficiency.
Habit 5: They Treat Cycle Time as a Discipline
Speed is important—but predictable speed is everything.
Cycle time is one of the core performance metrics across the adjusting industry. But the best adjusters don’t just try to “go faster.” They build systems that allow them to work quickly and accurately.
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Highly successful adjusters:
- Batch similar tasks
- Use templates instead of starting from scratch
- Reduce rework by improving estimate accuracy
- Build routines for photo capture, scoping, and documentation
- Use tools like OneClick Code to avoid hours of code research
- Pre-write common explanations to streamline communication
- Automate follow-ups
- Close loops with urgency
They understand that the real enemy of cycle time isn’t speed.
It’s friction.
Every supplement is friction.
Every unclear note is friction.
Every missing code requirement is friction.
Every unanswered email is friction.
By focusing on repeatable workflows rather than hustling harder, top adjusters maintain high output without sacrificing the quality that keeps claims out of dispute.
In 2026, the adjusters who master frictionless workflows will lead the pack.
Habit 6: They Invest in Continuous Training—Especially in Roofing
Roofing claims remain some of the most complex, most litigated, and most scrutinized claims in the industry.
The adjusters who stand out don’t wait for annual refreshers—they actively build their expertise year-round.
Here are the training areas every adjuster should commit to:
-
Building Codes
Because codes change—and they matter.
OneClick Code makes it easy to stay current, but understanding the why behind those codes gives adjusters deeper confidence and better judgment. -
Roof Components & Construction
Shingle types, roofing manufacturer installation requirements, ventilation, decking requirements, flashing details, underlayments, fastener patterns—expertise here is a major advantage.
-
Estimating Best Practices
How to clean up Xactimate line items, apply proper waste factors, and ensure accuracy. -
State-Specific Laws
Some states have unique and local roofing codes and laws, matching statutes, or obscure code adoption timelines. -
AI and Emerging Tools
As automation expands, the adjusters who adopt new tech early will dramatically outperform their peers. -
Negotiation and Contractor Collaboration
Great adjusters know the claim doesn’t end when the estimate goes out.
Successful adjusters see their professional development as a competitive advantage—not a checkbox requirement.
Habit 7: They Put the Policyholder Experience at the Center
Great adjusters adjust claims. Exceptional adjusters restore peace of mind.
Claims happen because something went wrong. A roof was damaged. A storm hit. A family is stressed, inconvenienced, and unsure what comes next.
Top adjusters never forget that real people are behind every photo, every estimate, every inspection.
They build micro-habits that turn a transactional claim into a trusted experience:
- Explaining the process clearly and early
- Simplifying complex ideas
- Setting expectations around timing
- Following through on commitments
- Being accessible
- Using data to build transparency
- Avoiding unnecessary delays by ensuring accuracy the first time
Adjusters who prioritize people's needs earn higher satisfaction scores, reduce complaints, and often prevent escalations before they occur.
And here’s the key:
Accuracy enhances experience.
When the estimate is accurate, when the codes are verified, and when the claim is processed smoothly, policyholders feel cared for.
This is why OneClick Code aligns so well with this habit. By improving accuracy and eliminating confusion surrounding roofing codes, adjusters deliver a smoother and trustworthy process for the insured.
Looking Ahead to 2026: The Adjuster of the Future
The adjusting profession is evolving quickly. AI is entering the workflow. Automation is accelerating tasks. Tools are getting smarter. Claims expectations are rising.
But the core habits that define a great adjuster remain, and they’re becoming even more essential.
The adjuster of 2026 will:
- Use technology as a performance multiplier
- Validate every roofing claim with data, not assumptions
- Eliminate supplements through accuracy and documentation
- Communicate with clarity and empathy
- Master building codes through trusted tools like OneClick Code
- Deliver claims faster without compromising quality
- Build long-term credibility with firms, carriers, and policyholders
The future adjuster isn’t just a claims handler—they’re a skilled, tech-enabled, accuracy-driven professional who brings confidence and clarity to every roofing claim they touch.
Conclusion: Small Habits. Big Impact. Exceptional Adjusters.
All seven habits share a common theme:
The best adjusters win by building predictable systems for accuracy, communication, and efficiency.
OneClick Code plays a critical role in supporting these habits—making it simple to verify roofing codes, prevent supplements, reduce cycle time, calculate shingle waste, IWS, and ventilation, and provide real-world accuracy that stands up to scrutiny. When adjusters combine expert judgment with trusted data, they deliver outcomes that are consistent, defensible, and satisfying for everyone involved.
The next generation of adjusters has an unprecedented opportunity to elevate the profession. With the right habits—and the right tools—they can deliver faster claims, cleaner estimates, and a dramatically better experience for policyholders.
2026 is coming fast.
The adjusters who start building these habits now will be the leaders everyone else looks to.
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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes an insurance adjuster highly successful?
A highly successful adjuster consistently delivers accurate estimates, communicates clearly, reduces cycle time, and uses trusted tools to minimize supplements. They rely on verified data, such as jurisdiction-specific roofing codes from OneClick Code, to ensure every claim is defensible and efficient.
Q: Why is roofing claim accuracy so important for adjusters?
Roofing claims are heavily regulated by local building codes. Accurate code compliance reduces supplements, prevents disputes, speeds up cycle time, and builds policyholder trust. Tools like OneClick Code help adjusters verify roofing codes instantly so estimates are correct the first time.
Q: How can adjusters reduce supplements in roofing claims?
The key is verifying jurisdiction data, code requirements, and weather history before writing the estimate. OneClick Code provides all three, removing guesswork and giving adjusters the documentation needed to submit cleaner, supplement-proof estimates.
Q: What tools help adjusters work faster in 2026?
Leading adjusters use digital estimating platforms, remote measurement tools, automated documentation systems, and property data tools like OneClick Code. These technologies cut research time, ensure code compliance, and streamline the entire adjusting workflow.
Q: How does OneClick Code support adjusters?
OneClick Code instantly delivers verified building codes, roof sheathing codes, jurisdiction data, and weather event history. This eliminates time-consuming research, reduces back-and-forth with contractors, and ensures estimates meet local requirements—helping adjusters close accurate claims faster.
Q: What habits should new adjusters develop for 2026?
New adjusters should focus on accuracy, tech mastery, communication, data-driven decisions, cycle time discipline, continuous training, and policyholder-centric service. These habits form the foundation of consistent claim quality and long-term success.
Q: Why is verified roofing code data essential for claim reviews?
Because incorrect code assumptions create delays. Verified code data ensures the estimate aligns with legally enforceable requirements. OneClick Code provides this instantly, helping adjusters avoid supplements, rework, and disputes.