Roofing Guys - Walk Me Through the Process of Dealing w/ Insurance (1 Viewer)

[coopersdad]

2 weeks ago we had 60-70 mph gusts here in town. Lots of shingles off neighbor roofs, and then 3 days later we had a hail storm.

Needless to say most of the people on my block have had people looking at their roofs, and have signs in front yard showing who is going to do their work.

Good news / bad news is I've been traveling for the last couple of weeks or actually working from the office, so I have not been home during the day............

Yesterday and today I'm home and I've had 5-7 guys stop by to offer free inspections of my roof. I've taken their business card and told them I'll get back w/ them.

I'm a dummy when it comes to insurance and home stuff. Can someone walk me through what I need to do?

I know that I've got 1 window pane broken, plastic on other windows is severely damaged, my outdoor TV screen is broken, fence is leaning, and you can see places by the eaves where the hail broke the shingle that is slightly overhanging the edge of the roof.

And I've got a 1.5% deductible (approx 6K) and my homeowners policy says the roof is 11 years old.

Thanks.

 

[arrow1]

Don't use any guys that "stop by" and give you a free inspection. Call your insurance agent and they will send an adjuster out.

 

[matttyl]

Confirm above - either call your agent or the carrier directly. They will send adjuster out, and if you’d like to have a roofing guy there at the time (that’s what I did last year), they can go up together. For me, they confirmed that all sides of my roof needed replacement.

 

[Thorn]

Just remember that the insurance company's adjuster works for the insurance company, not you. If the damage is truly significant, consider hiring a public adjuster who works for you.

 

[coopersdad]

gracias.

 

[whoknew]

Just remember that the insurance company's adjuster works for the insurance company, not you. If the damage is truly significant, consider hiring a public adjuster who works for you.

Right. Trusting your insurance company adjuster isn't a great plan. The insurance company doesn't make money by paying out claims.

I'd start with the ins co adjuster. Then take its estimate to a reputable public adjuster. They usually charge 10%. Tell them you already have the estimate from the insurance company. So offer them 10% of whatever they pull in on top of the insurance company's estimate.

ETA: Did any of these storms include rain? If so, make sure you are checking not just the exterior of the roof but underneath and inside. There could be water damage. Doubtful the insurance company will check that.

Also - be careful about the multiple storm angle. The insurance company will try to charge you two deductibles. Figure out which storm really caused the damage.

 

[bcat01]

Get some estimates from contractors you want to work with. Pick the one you want and give it to the insurance company. As long as it is a reasonable estimate for the repairs or replacement they will pay it. At least this is how my company would handle it. A lot of time we don't even send an adjuster and just use photos from contractor and get dimensions using satellite imagery.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Just remember that the insurance company's adjuster works for the insurance company, not you. If the damage is truly significant, consider hiring a public adjuster who works for you.

Never ever in your life should you hire a public adjuster.

Never, ever.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Just remember that the insurance company's adjuster works for the insurance company, not you. If the damage is truly significant, consider hiring a public adjuster who works for you.

Right. Trusting your insurance company adjuster isn't a great plan. The insurance company doesn't make money by paying out claims.

I'd start with the ins co adjuster. Then take its estimate to a reputable public adjuster. They usually charge 10%. Tell them you already have the estimate from the insurance company. So offer them 10% of whatever they pull in on top of the insurance company's estimate.

ETA: Did any of these storms include rain? If so, make sure you are checking not just the exterior of the roof but underneath and inside. There could be water damage. Doubtful the insurance company will check that.

Also - be careful about the multiple storm angle. The insurance company will try to charge you two deductibles. Figure out which storm really caused the damage.

Please don’t hire a public adjuster.

I worked in insurance company for almost 10 years and these dudes are 100% without a doubt crooks. They’re only interest is skimming your money off the top of the insurance company.

That money needs to go to your roof, not into their pockets.

The fact that they are charging you money at all should be a ginormous red flag to you. That money is for your roof not for them. Theoretically there is no extra left over for vacations and trips like most public adjusters promise.

ETA - in simple terms if you hire a company, they will charge you every last drop of money. The insurance company will give you. The only way any money is saved is if you become the general contractor and sub about the work to your “subs“.

Separate from that- The insurance company will also hold back 10 to 30%. This is only given to you after you have the work completed.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Last time I got my roof replaced it was due to wind damage. I met the adjuster, I negotiate everything and I hired my own roofing crew. I got $21,000 for my roof and it cost me seven out-of-pocket to replace it.

I was also able to get my gutters replaced since they had to be taken down to install the new roof drip edge.

If you have any questions by all means, please ask me, but please please please do not hire a public adjuster.


EDA- If you don’t want to do any of this yourself- there are literally thousands of roofing companies who will meet the adjuster and fight for you (so they can get paid).

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Last time I got my roof replaced it was due to wind damage. I met the adjuster, I negotiate everything and I hired my own roofing crew. I got $21,000 for my roof and it cost me seven out-of-pocket to replace it.

I was also able to get my gutters replaced since they had to be taken down to install the new roof drip edge.

If you have any questions by all means, please ask me, but please please please do not hire a public adjuster.

I did something similar when my house got flooded. Had my insurance company's adjuster over, worked out pricing for the various trades with him, while I solicited my own pricing from people I knew at the same time. I compared them and one of the adjuster's was really low (some of his were much higher, too) so I asked him to help me out - I think it was for painting, but am not sure now. He raised his estimate and I got a check, then I GCed the project(s) myself. It was a pain, because I was still working a million hours and I eventually took a leave of absence. It was a lot to coordinate because I had 8 different trades and there comes a point where you can't just turn them all loose at random.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Last time I got my roof replaced it was due to wind damage. I met the adjuster, I negotiate everything and I hired my own roofing crew. I got $21,000 for my roof and it cost me seven out-of-pocket to replace it.

I was also able to get my gutters replaced since they had to be taken down to install the new roof drip edge.

If you have any questions by all means, please ask me, but please please please do not hire a public adjuster.

I did something similar when my house got flooded. Had my insurance company's adjuster over, worked out pricing for the various trades with him, while I solicited my own pricing from people I knew at the same time. I compared them and one of the adjuster's was really low (some of his were much higher, too) so I asked him to help me out - I think it was for painting, but am not sure now. He raised his estimate and I got a check, then I GCed the project(s) myself. It was a pain, because I was still working a million hours and I eventually took a leave of absence. It was a lot to coordinate because I had 8 different trades and there comes a point where you can't just turn them all loose at random.

There’s a “order of operations” for trades. Scheduling is the single most important trait for construction superintendents.

Where I went wrong was not waiting on my proper demo guys. I normally hire these two super mutant laborers but they couldn’t come that week so I ended up with two scrawny kids from Chevy Chase (Rich area). My roof ended up having three layers. (You are “allowed” up to 2). One of the kids stepped on a nail and both were toast by lunch. I went into SEVERE heat cramping no matter how much water I took in. When I say painful, I am understating it. I never had that happen once when I played. By the time I woke from my nap the roofing crew started w/o my supervision and didn’t replace some sheathing that needed to be replaced.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

There’s a “order of operations” for trades. Scheduling is the single most important trait for construction superintendents.

Yep, and that's why I took 4 months off of work. I've been in construction for 45 years and knew things would slow down once I got deep into the project. I used subs that a GC I know uses (he was too busy to run it himself), but they were all busy as hell too so lining them up was tricky. It slowed waaaayyy down after the first month or so, but what are you going to do if you want it done right?

 

[Thorn]

Just remember that the insurance company's adjuster works for the insurance company, not you. If the damage is truly significant, consider hiring a public adjuster who works for you.

Right. Trusting your insurance company adjuster isn't a great plan. The insurance company doesn't make money by paying out claims.

I'd start with the ins co adjuster. Then take its estimate to a reputable public adjuster. They usually charge 10%. Tell them you already have the estimate from the insurance company. So offer them 10% of whatever they pull in on top of the insurance company's estimate.

ETA: Did any of these storms include rain? If so, make sure you are checking not just the exterior of the roof but underneath and inside. There could be water damage. Doubtful the insurance company will check that.

Also - be careful about the multiple storm angle. The insurance company will try to charge you two deductibles. Figure out which storm really caused the damage.

Please don’t hire a public adjuster.

I worked in insurance company for almost 10 years and these dudes are 100% without a doubt crooks. They’re only interest is skimming your money off the top of the insurance company.

That money needs to go to your roof, not into their pockets.

The fact that they are charging you money at all should be a ginormous red flag to you. That money is for your roof not for them. Theoretically there is no extra left over for vacations and trips like most public adjusters promise.

ETA - in simple terms if you hire a company, they will charge you every last drop of money. The insurance company will give you. The only way any money is saved is if you become the general contractor and sub about the work to your “subs“.

Separate from that- The insurance company will also hold back 10 to 30%. This is only given to you after you have the work completed.

What should truly be a red flag is when an big corporation owes you money and says

"Hey the way we'll figure out the exact amount is send one of our employees over. You DEFINITELY should NOT hire your own expert to double check us. They're all crooks! One hundred percent of them! You can trust us, we have fancy commercials."

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Just remember that the insurance company's adjuster works for the insurance company, not you. If the damage is truly significant, consider hiring a public adjuster who works for you.

Right. Trusting your insurance company adjuster isn't a great plan. The insurance company doesn't make money by paying out claims.

I'd start with the ins co adjuster. Then take its estimate to a reputable public adjuster. They usually charge 10%. Tell them you already have the estimate from the insurance company. So offer them 10% of whatever they pull in on top of the insurance company's estimate.

ETA: Did any of these storms include rain? If so, make sure you are checking not just the exterior of the roof but underneath and inside. There could be water damage. Doubtful the insurance company will check that.

Also - be careful about the multiple storm angle. The insurance company will try to charge you two deductibles. Figure out which storm really caused the damage.

Please don’t hire a public adjuster.

I worked in insurance company for almost 10 years and these dudes are 100% without a doubt crooks. They’re only interest is skimming your money off the top of the insurance company.

That money needs to go to your roof, not into their pockets.

The fact that they are charging you money at all should be a ginormous red flag to you. That money is for your roof not for them. Theoretically there is no extra left over for vacations and trips like most public adjusters promise.

ETA - in simple terms if you hire a company, they will charge you every last drop of money. The insurance company will give you. The only way any money is saved is if you become the general contractor and sub about the work to your “subs“.

Separate from that- The insurance company will also hold back 10 to 30%. This is only given to you after you have the work completed.

What should truly be a red flag is when an big corporation owes you money and says

"Hey the way we'll figure out the exact amount is send one of our employees over. You DEFINITELY should NOT hire your own expert to double check us. They're all crooks! One hundred percent of them! You can trust us, we have fancy commercials."

I’m by no means suggesting you trust your insurance adjuster but you can check their math immediately after you start getting your own quotes.

Public adjusters are simply middlemen between your insurance adjuster and you. You would be far better off trusting a rando contractor who more than likely has prior experience dealing with adjusters and their shenanigans.

ETA - For people who worry about their lack of construction knowledge - knowing the in and out of the trades has nothing to do with running/supervising jobs. You are the boss, applesauce - you simply bring in people who know WTF they’re talking about. As the GC on your own project, all you are is a scheduler that’s it. You schedule and hold people accountable to their schedule.

Some hyperbole here but with some common sense and asking questions- You don’t actually have to know anything about Constuction

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

2 weeks ago we had 60-70 mph gusts here in town. Lots of shingles off neighbor roofs, and then 3 days later we had a hail storm.

Needless to say most of the people on my block have had people looking at their roofs, and have signs in front yard showing who is going to do their work.

Good news / bad news is I've been traveling for the last couple of weeks or actually working from the office, so I have not been home during the day............

Yesterday and today I'm home and I've had 5-7 guys stop by to offer free inspections of my roof. I've taken their business card and told them I'll get back w/ them.

I'm a dummy when it comes to insurance and home stuff. Can someone walk me through what I need to do?

I know that I've got 1 window pane broken, plastic on other windows is severely damaged, my outdoor TV screen is broken, fence is leaning, and you can see places by the eaves where the hail broke the shingle that is slightly overhanging the edge of the roof.

And I've got a 1.5% deductible (approx 6K) and my homeowners policy says the roof is 11 years old.

Thanks.

Call roofer
Have roofer meet with adjuster
Insurance adjuster will say they don’t need to meet anyone there, but be adamant that you want them to be there with them

Let your contractor take over everything from here-The only wiggle room you have here is your deductible. You can bargain with your contractor that they take care of the deductible or you pay it and that’s that.

If you’re doing this on your own
Same thing except when you get the check….

You buy all the supplies
Get a dumpster delivered
Rip off the old roof
Install the new roof
Send pictures to the insurance adjuster to get the last 15 to 20% held back