10 things to know about hail damage storm claims.
Dakota Roofing and Claims
The Following reflects real information from real experiences that affects you and me when Hail Hits Please see the following: I am going to identify real bugs in the Hail/Storm restoration industry These items derive from my real my life experiences as a roofing contractor when you as an owner have damage from hail or wind storms.
Its important to understand, what you as an owner need to do, what a successful Roofing Contractor needs know and provide, and finally how those roles are dramatically different from your insurance adjusters.
The following elements are from our (you and me) most trying times and experiences working together, Roofer and homeowners and trying to explain apparent damage and a solid construction recovery plan to your adjuster, when we are not adjusters.
1st - How do I pay for my my roof when I have wind or hail damage? Loan, Credit Card, or ? A wind or hail storms hits Sioux Falls, SD. Your shingles are flying off the roof. Your first inclination, call a roofer. Well that's me, so we make an appointment to look at your roof. Listen, we are not Adjusters, and in most cases it doesn't take an adjuster to see damage on a roof. So, I am simply saying this, make sure you have a plan if hail hits your roof. If you think your insurance should cover your damage, at a minimum your insurance plan needs to state it will cover it, whether its a replacement or a repair. However it your don't we finance, or can offer you an estimate.
Sanity Check: contact your agent give them the scenario that your roof has hail damage. If the adjuster comes and agrees about the damage, will it be covered in whole or partial. Document the call, ask for detailed information, find the truth before you need it, for real.
2nd - Isn't roof damage obvious, why would I need help in the process or need assistance? Damage is not clearly defined. Each carrier has their own criteria for hail damage or wind damage. Then, each desk adjuster has their own interpretation, finally the guy on your roof is probably some independent contractor. This is the guy taking pictures, measurements, and finally putting together the report of his findings. Usually based on their spin on damage. What about the roofer: if your lucky and your roofing contractor sees the damage, and understand the process from beginning to end, of course then they have their standards to put it.
Sanity Check: So in summary, damage is not always damage, it's based on many views and standards. If your roofer is like us, after so many roofs, discussing damages and reroof plans to Adjusters, well to get to the point you have a pretty strong idea.
3rd - Don't i have years to file a hail damage claim? I am not ready to file. That is a perfect question for your agent. Please call him or her. I believe each state has a period to file, call your agent to find out. Usually at a minimum its 1 to 3 years. Sometimes we help a homeowner, find damage, and even the adjuster agrees. Only one thing is missing, a valid date of the storm.
Sanity Check: In summary the claim may be turned down because there is no date. Or, the claim is denied because it was too long after the event. Always keep records of damage to your home if its known. Don't risk the wait.
4th - Other roofers say they will eat my deductible, why do you say I have to pay my deductible? For my company, we have to collect a deductible because we are paid by the insurance funds, we work in the process of storm claims, we collect based on the final replacement cost of your roof, not an independent blind bid.
Sanity Check: We are required us to collect the funds based on the claim, including the deductible. If you don't pay the deductible, something has to give and nothing is for free. Remember your final insurance scope is the roofers agreement to complete.
5th - Should I get 3 bids for my roof? My agents says so... Are you funding the full roof replacement on your own? Are the roofers ready to collect funds once you sign a contract, regardless of insurance? Or do you need assistance in the process of your reroof due to hail? When we inspect your roof, we use our experience and knowledge of the industry to advise you, then we stand by our advice and meet with your adjuster one on one to show them what we found (what we showed you before you called the insurance).
Sanity Check: If you know about roofing be sure to write a thorough statement of work and submit to all parties, have each party address every item. Please realize any unknown damage that is not seen will become your problem and not the roofers. If they provide a bid, any deviation would be between you and carrier.
We are not policy experts, we never look at your policy, we are not public adjusters.
We look at damage and know how to work with your adjusters to get it done and done right!
This is what we know: if you make a decision on a contractor that is your decision and you are responsible for the outcome, nobody else. If You have funds from hail or wind damage, chances are great that there will be additional unknown and unseen damages uncovered during the process of your reroof.
Does your contractor know how to present the additional work to your adjuster so that you have coverage for the unknown? If your contractor assisted you in the claims process, they can help you get the needed item presented to your adjuster correctly.
A contractor only has the latitude that you allow them, beware of short cuts, especially if they have no idea how to deal with your adjuster. Contact us for the entire list