Roofers and insurance claims: Washington rules

Deductible offers are illegal

A service provider who makes a regular practice of waiving, rebating or paying any part of your insurance deductible is "trafficking in insurance claims." It is a gross misdemeanor, and a repeat offense is a class C felony. (RCW 48.30A.015)

Assignment of Benefits

An Assignment of Benefits hands your claim rights to the contractor, who can then work with your insurer and collect payment without your approval. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner says to read it closely and talk to your insurer first. (OIC)

Who the adjuster works for

• Public adjuster: works for you, must be licensed and bonded in Washington, and takes a percentage of the settlement.
• Independent adjuster: represents the insurance company.

Source: OIC. A roofer is neither.

Paperwork the roofer owes you

On a residential job of $1,000 or more (four or fewer units), a registered contractor must give you a signed Notice to Customer with its registration number, bond amount and bond expiration date before work starts. (RCW 18.27.114, read Oct 17, 2026) Ask for lien releases from suppliers. (L&I)

If it goes wrong

If you win a superior court final judgment against a registered contractor, the state's Homeowner Recovery Fund can pay up to $25,000 per contractor per parcel, subject to funds. It covers owner-occupied single-family and 2-4 unit homes, not condos. Judgments must be ordered after July 1, 2026. Apply within 90 days. (L&I, read Oct 17, 2026)

State law adds more conditions, and all of these must be true. The home must be your primary residence, and in a multi-unit building only the unit you live in counts. The judgment must be on a claim under RCW 18.27.040(3), must state actual damages and must still have an unpaid balance. You must first go after any bond covering the contractor. The 90 days start when the civil case ends. The fund pays only actual damages left after the bond, not attorneys' fees, court costs or punitive damages. It pays no more than the per-parcel cap or the unpaid amount of the judgment, whichever is less. Payments are subject to the availability of funds, and they are discretionary. (RCW 18.27.410, read Oct 20, 2026)

Start with how to hire an emergency roofer.