Insurance companies are typically only going to pay for what is physically damaged to your property. When the field adjuster comes out to visit you, don't be offended if an initial insurance estimate is given to you to perform repairs to your roof; instead of replacement of your roof. Sometimes it can make more sense to attempt a repair (if logical). If that repair will not work then the estimate may be revised at a later date (if warranted). What most people don't understand, is that the field adjuster's estimate is not written in stone. Revisions may be made at a later date to reconcile any concerns or disagreements that a contractor and/or homeowner may have.
One of the most common disagreements from the contractors, I've found, while adjusting is in regard to step flashings, chimney flashings and apron flashings. These are not considered separate trades. All roof flashings are considered roofing trades, as roofing sub crews will perform this work. Therefore general contractor overhead and profit (O&P) is not warranted for roof & flashing replacements only. Usually these items are not damaged during the storm. However, these items will incur damage upon roof replacement. Flashings are nailed down to the shingles and are sometimes sealed down with adhesive to prevent water from entering the home. Each insurance carrier is going to approach flashing differently. Most of them will not pay for these items up-front unless there if visible damage. However, if the flashings are sealed down to the shingles with yucky puck, caulking or any other type of adhesive, the adjuster can usually justify replacement of these items as it can be easily photographed and shown to the insurance carrier that the flashing will incur damage. Field adjusters are usually not going to pay for flashings up-front. If you have concerns, call your insurance carrier and an inside adjuster (or call center adjuster) may be able to assist you.
Keep in mind that most insurance policies have a building code endorsement attached to the main insurance policy. What this allows the adjuster to do, is allow extra funding within the insurance estimate to bring the damaged portions of the dwelling up to current building code specifications. In most states, damaged or rusted flashings is a building code violation. Please be sure to check with local building code enforcement to verify before filing supplement requests. It would behoove you to find this written documentation and give it to your field adjuster during the inspection.
