Building codes are the often overlooked rules that dictate everything from a structure’s foundation to the shingles on a suburban home. When a storm damages property and claims flood in, these codes can be the difference between a smooth settlement and a protracted dispute. They can increase costs, delay payments, and create uncertainty.
Understanding this dynamic landscape in the building and roofing industry is crucial. It’s about more than compliance — it’s about risk mitigation, accurate claim valuation, and efficient claims resolution.
Code Chaos: The Roofing Industry's Biggest Headache
Building codes vary widely from region to region. What’s acceptable in one state may be a strict violation in another. This patchwork of regulations creates challenges for roofing contractors, property owners, and insurance companies alike.
Roofing, in particular, is deeply impacted by code evolution. New materials such as GAF Timberline roofing shingles come with updated performance standards and installation requirements. A roofing contractor who misses a key code detail can cause problems for homeowners and insurers alike.
The International Residential Code (IRC) governs one‑ and two‑family dwellings. The International Building Code (IBC) covers commercial and multi‑family structures. These model codes set baseline standards, but they are only the starting point.
State and local governments often adopt and modify these codes to address regional concerns like high wind loads in coastal areas or specific fire resistance requirements in wildfire‑prone regions. This creates a patchwork of requirements that can differ even within the same state.
Municipalities add another layer, with local amendments, interpretations, and inspection requirements that can vary from town to town.
These variations increase the risk of code violations and make claims work more complex.
The High Cost of Code Errors: A Perfect Storm for Claims
Code errors can lead to serious consequences. For example, a roofer who installs shingles that don’t meet local wind resistance requirements may see that roof fail in a storm. Even if the homeowner purchased high‑quality materials, failure to follow local code could make the resulting damage non‑compliant, complicating the claims process and elevating costs.
This highlights why adjusters need reliable access to accurate code information. Without it, carriers risk unnecessary payouts, disputes, and customer dissatisfaction.
Overcoming the Challenges of Code Research: Speeding Up Accurate Claims
Technology has changed many industries, and construction and insurance are no exceptions. Despite digital access to information, building codes are updated so frequently that keeping up can feel like hitting a moving target.
Traditionally, adjusters relied on printed code books or fragmented online resources. These sources quickly became outdated, required cross‑referencing many volumes, and made it easy to overlook critical requirements. This manual approach slowed claim processing and increased the risk of misinterpretation.
Innovative tools like OneClick Code have become invaluable. A centralized, up‑to‑date building code research platform gives contractors and insurance adjusters a single source of truth, reducing errors and misunderstandings. Adjusters can search code requirements by jurisdiction, access historical data, and compare code versions — all in one place. This speeds up research and minimizes risk.
Real‑world usage shows adjusters spend significantly less time on code research and more on claim investigation and customer service. Integration with adjuster workflows ensures they always work with the most current information, reducing code‑related disputes.
The insurance industry faces a continually evolving code landscape. By understanding these complexities, leveraging technology, and fostering industry relationships, adjusters can improve efficiency, strengthen claim accuracy, and benefit both carriers and policyholders.
How Building Code Changes Influence Claim Valuation
Building codes don’t just change for the sake of regulation; they evolve in response to safety data, new materials, and performance standards. When these changes occur, they often impose higher minimum material standards and construction requirements.
For example, updates may require:
- Increased fastener counts for wind uplift resistance
- Expanded use of ice and water shield zones
- Upgraded membrane materials or underlayment standards
These requirements may not have existed when the original structure was built, yet they are required for any repair or replacement following loss. This means adjusters must reference current code requirements when valuing damage, not historic construction standards.
If an adjuster fails to account for updated code requirements, the result can be:
- Underpayment of claims
- Cost disputes with policyholders
- Increased leakage due to correction workloads
Accurate claim valuation depends on a clear understanding of current code requirements and their impact on the scope of repair.
Common Building Code Updates That Drive Claim Adjustments
Here are some of the most frequent code updates that can affect claim cost and scope:
- Wind uplift and fastening schedules: Codes often require more fasteners and specific patterns to resist high winds.
- Ice and water shield zones: Newer codes expand the areas where ice and water protection is mandatory.
- Ventilation requirements: Changes modify the intake-to-exhaust ventilation ratio for attic spaces.
- Energy and insulation codes: Certain jurisdictions mandate higher R‑values or continuous insulation standards.
- Fire resistance upgrades: Especially relevant in wildfire‑prone regions, where roofing materials and assemblies must meet specific fire ratings.
- Drainage and waterproofing: Particularly with flat roofs, codes are emphasizing water evacuation and membrane performance.
These changes do not just affect new construction, but also repairs and replacements after insured loss.
Common Mistakes Adjusters Make With Building Code Interpretation
Even seasoned adjusters can fall into familiar traps when interpreting building codes. Some of the most common mistakes include:
- Relying only on IRC/IBC: Not checking for local amendments that have been adopted by municipalities or counties.
- Missing code upgrade costs: Failing to include necessary costs when updated code requirements exceed the historical build.
- Not documenting code references: Field reports without cited code sections make it hard to justify scope decisions.
- Using outdated sources: Relying on printed codebooks or fragmented online pages that are no longer current.
- Assuming historic compliance eliminates upgrades: Just because a structure was compliant at the time of construction doesn’t mean repairs can ignore newer code requirements.
Clear documentation and up‑to‑date code research reduce disputes and improve settlement accuracy.
Technology for Code Research: Solving the Information Problem
Manual code research has significant limitations. Printed books become outdated the moment a new code cycle is adopted. Local amendments often do not appear in centralized repositories. Inconsistent language across jurisdictions makes comparison difficult.
This is where technology plays a key role. Modern code research platforms centralize:
- Up‑to‑date code versions from multiple jurisdictions
- Local amendments and historical changes
- Searchable requirements by category (roofing, insulation, structural, etc.)
Using centralized platforms like OneClick Code transforms code research from a time‑consuming chore into a streamlined workflow. Adjusters and contractors can:
- Quickly find precise requirements
- Understand differences across jurisdictions
- Compare code cycles and historical mandates
- Reduce human error in interpretation
By solving the information problem, technology allows adjusters to focus on decision‑making and customer service rather than manual code lookup and cross‑referencing.
Conclusion
The insurance industry faces a complex and ever‑present challenge in the evolving landscape of building codes. By understanding the intricacies of code changes, using efficient research tools, and applying current requirements in claim valuation, adjusters can strengthen accuracy and improve efficiency. This benefits carriers, policyholders, and the entire claim settlement ecosystem.
Accurate Building Code data can prevent payment errors of 25% or more on roofing settlements.
