Attending the CRCA Trade Show to Stay Ahead of Roofing Claim Challenges

On January 15–16, 2026, the Claim Supplement Pro (CSP) team attended the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) Trade Show, one of the Midwest’s most important industry events for roofing and exterior contractors. The event brought together contractors, manufacturers, technology providers, and industry leaders to discuss the current state of roofing, insurance claims, and operational challenges as the industry looks toward the 2026 season.

Our goal in attending was straightforward: To stay closely connected to the real-world challenges that roofing contractors are facing–particularly as insurance carriers tighten documentation requirements and apply more detailed claim scrutiny.

Claim Supplement Pro specializes exclusively in insurance claim supplements for roofing and restoration contractors, working behind the scenes to support documentation, scope validation, and carrier negotiations. Attending events like CRCA allows CSP to stay aligned with the evolving realities contractors face in the field and inside the process.

Key Takeaways from the CRCA Trade Show

• Insurance carrier pushback and claim scrutiny are increasing
• Documentation quality is now a primary differentiator in claim outcomes
• Technology delivers value only when paired with proper training
• Specialized supplementing support is becoming essential for roofing contractors

High Energy, Strong Attendance, and a Contractor-Focused Agenda

The CRCA Trade Show floor was packed throughout the event, with strong attendance across both exhibit hours and educational sessions. More than 150 manufacturers and suppliers showcased new products and technology, while contractors actively engaged in conversations around efficiency, compliance, and profitability.

In addition to the exhibit hall, the event featured well-attended seminars covering:

• Legal and case law updates impacting contractors
• Safety leadership and workforce development
• Technical updates on low-slope roofing systems
• Practical, experience-based contractor guidance

The turnout and engagement underscored one thing clearly: Roofing contractors are actively seeking ways to protect their bottom line and adapt to increasing claim complexity and operational pressure.

Conversations with Contractors and Vendors: A Consistent Theme

Throughout the event, CSP spoke with multiple contractors and vendors across the trade show floor. One topic surfaced repeatedly in conversations:

Insurance carrier scrutiny is intensifying.

During the event, CSP also spoke with manufacturer representatives, who echoed concerns about increased carrier scrutiny and tighter claim approvals across Illinois throughout 2025.

These conversations closely align with what CSP sees daily while handling insurance claim supplements for roofing and restoration companies nationwide.

Technology on the Trade Show Floor: Tools That Support Better Claims

Technology vendors were highly visible at CRCA, particularly those focused on aerial measurement, data capture, and inspection accuracy. CSP spent time speaking with representatives from EagleView, discussing their drone-based inspection solutions and training programs.

A key takeaway from these discussions was that tools alone are not enough. Contractors who complete proper training and integrate technology into their workflows are seeing strong results, especially for reinspections and documentation. Those who skip training often struggle to realize value.

This reinforces an important point: Accurate data and proper documentation workflows are foundational–not optional–for strong claim outcomes.

Why These Trends Matter for Claim Outcomes

These trends reinforce why specialized supplementing support has become critical for contractors. As carriers increase scrutiny, successful claim outcomes depend less on volume and more on documentation accuracy, scope validation, and persistence throughout the supplement process. These are all areas that require focused expertise rather than ad-hoc internal handling.

This shift is reshaping how contractors approach claims and why many are partnering with dedicated supplement specialists as part of their standard process.

Why Events Like CRCA Matter to Claim Supplement Pro

CSP’s presence at CRCA is part of an intentional effort to remain deeply embedded in the roofing industry—not just as a service provider, but as an informed partner.

By attending industry events, CSP aims to:

• Listen directly to contractor challenges
• Track how carrier behavior is evolving
• Understand how tools and training impact claim outcomes
• Strengthen relationships across the roofing ecosystem
  

This real-world insight directly affects how CSP approaches claim supplements, reinspections, and scope corrections on behalf of its clients.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for Roofing Contractors in 2026

The CRCA Trade Show made one thing clear: Insurance claim complexity is not decreasing. Contractors who succeed in 2026 will be those who:

• Maintain strong documentation standards
• Understand evolving carrier expectations
• Leverage technology correctly
• Partner with specialists who focus exclusively on insurance supplements
  

CSP will continue attending industry events like CRCA to stay aligned with contractor realities and evolving insurance practices, so our clients don’t have to navigate these challenges alone.

About Claim Supplement Pro

Claim Supplement Pro specializes exclusively in insurance claim supplements for roofing and restoration contractors. Our team works behind the scenes to help contractors recover the full, justified scope of work, while allowing them to stay focused on production and growth.