Shield Roofing | Roofers and Insurance Adjusters

#HomeownerResponsability

Roofers and Insurance Adjusters

Who to trust?

Roofers and Adjusters

Everywhere you look in the roofing sector, you'll come across some form of myth regarding both roofers and insurance adjusters. Some people distrust insurance adjusters because they believe they will try to minimize the harm on their report in order to save money for their company. In most cases, however, this is not the case. Roofing contractors are in the same boat. The vast majority are trustworthy individuals who genuinely want to do a good job and assist in the timely repair of people's roofs. However, there are always con artists out there, especially after storms that leave large areas of damage behind. That is why, when it comes to roofing contractors, it is critical to understand what is typical and what is not. Before you make a decision, ask yourself the following questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should a roofer be present during the claims adjuster’s visit?

A: That depends. If you live in an area that has been hit hard by severe weather, you might experience a delay before an adjuster can get to your home. To minimize your wait time, you can have a trusted roofing contractor present during the visit to make sure no damage is missed and the price estimate is accurate. This would save you from having to wait for a second visit from the contractor and a possible back-and-forth over the cost. For time-sensitive repairs, yes, it’s a good idea.

Q: Should a roofer ask to see an adjuster’s report?

A: An honest roofer might ask to see the technical part of the report to make sure the adjuster noted all the problems that need to be fixed. An unethical roofer might want to know the adjuster’s price estimate so they can place their bid at or just above it. It’s illegal in some states to show the roofer the cost estimate, so it’s best to avoid it altogether.

Q: What if the roofer’s estimate and the adjuster’s estimate aren’t the same?

A: One reason why estimates might differ is because insurance adjusters might find damage that wasn’t caused by the weather event, like collapsed limbs from a tree that should have been cut back prior to the storm. Roofers might try to include pre-existing damage in their estimates to get the insurance company to pay for it. If the discrepancy in cost is too much, consider hiring a public adjuster to create a non-biased estimate.

Q: Can a roofer waive an insurance deductible?

A: Absolutely not, and any roofer who does so is committing insurance fraud. Your deductible is the portion of your roof repairs you’re obligated to pay according to your insurance policy. This agreement is between you and your insurer. It has nothing to do with your roofing contractor, and they have no right or authority to alter it. In fact, if you hire a roofer who waives a deductible, you can be prosecuted for insurance fraud as well.

It's about working hand in hand.

The best results come when your insurance adjuster and roofing contractor work together instead of against each other.

Know what to expect!

Every detail counts. Make sure you let your adjuster know what you are worried about and go over all your concerns with them.

Masters of their craft.

Each party will send a report back to you. It is your responsibility as a homeowner to carefully review each option and make the best decision. If this is too over whelming, you could hire a company such as dealyadvisory.com.

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