If you’ve filed a roof insurance claim, there’s a good chance your adjuster mentioned something called:
👉 ITEL Laboratories
But what exactly do they do—and how does it affect whether your roof gets repaired or fully replaced?
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
🔍 What ITEL Laboratories Actually Does
At its core, ITEL is a third-party testing company that analyzes building materials—especially roofing, siding, and flooring.
👉 Their main job:
Identify your roofing material and determine the best possible match for repairs
They do this by:
- Testing shingle samples
- Comparing them to a massive product database
- Identifying the brand, type, and color of your roof
The Key Things ITEL Reports Tell Insurance
When your roof is tested, ITEL provides a report that typically includes:
✅ 1. Exact Material Identification
- Manufacturer
- Product line
- Color
👉 This helps confirm what’s actually on your roof.
🔄 2. Matching Availability
ITEL searches nationwide to find:
- Exact matches
- Or the closest available alternative
They even check discontinued materials and supplier availability
🏚️ 3. Repair vs Replacement Insight
ITEL may also help insurers decide:
- Can this roof be repaired?
- Or does it need full replacement?
They use data and analysis to support those decisions
Why Insurance Companies Use ITEL
Insurance carriers rely on ITEL because it gives them:
- Objective, third-party data
- Consistent material identification
- Justification for repair vs replacement decisions
👉 In simple terms:
ITEL helps insurance companies control claim costs and standardize decisions.
What ITEL Does NOT Do (Important)
This is where homeowners get confused.
ITEL does NOT:
- Guarantee a perfect visual match after repair
- Ensure new shingles will blend with old ones
- Consider weathering, fading, or real-world appearance
- Decide your claim outcome on its own
👉 It’s just a data tool—not the final decision maker
Why ITEL Matters for Your Roof Claim
An ITEL report can directly impact whether you get:
🟢 Approved for Repair
If ITEL finds a match → insurance pushes repair
🔴 Approved for Replacement
If materials are:
- Discontinued
- Unavailable
- Or not a reasonable match
👉 This can support a full roof replacement instead of a patch job
Where This Becomes a Big Deal (Utah Homes)
In Utah, this matters a lot because:
- Hail damage is common
- Many roofs are older or discontinued
- Matching issues come up frequently
👉 ITEL often becomes the key piece of evidence in these claims.
How the ITEL Process Works
- A contractor removes a small shingle sample
- The sample is submitted (or scanned via app)
- ITEL analyzes the material
- A report is generated (sometimes same day)
- Insurance uses the report to adjust the claim
💰 Can ITEL Help You Get a Full Roof Replacement?
👉 Yes—but it depends on the results.
ITEL can help support full replacement if:
- No matching shingles exist
- The product is discontinued
- Repairs would create inconsistencies
BUT…
👉 If ITEL finds a match, insurance will likely push for a repair.
🚫 The Biggest Mistake Homeowners Make
They assume:
“If ITEL says it matches, I’m stuck.”
That’s not always true.
There are still arguments around:
- Repairability
- Brittleness
- Installation limitations
- Matching laws
👉 ITEL is just one piece of the puzzle
Final Takeaway: What ITEL Laboratories Really Does
✔️ Identifies your roofing material
✔️ Finds matching or similar products
✔️ Helps insurance evaluate repair vs replacement
✔️ Provides third-party documentation
But…
⚠️ It does not guarantee a fair outcome by itself.
Need Help Understanding Your ITEL Report?
If your insurance company is using an ITEL report to justify a repair, it’s worth having an expert review it.
We help homeowners:
- Break down ITEL reports
- Identify weak points in insurance arguments
- Push for full replacement when justified
👉 Schedule a free inspection and claim review today with us VP Roofing
