- May 1, 2020
- Posted by: Tim Adams
- Category: Insurance Claim, Public Adjuster
Picture this…
You just went through a storm, and roofs in your area were hit pretty hard by large hail. You call in your local roofing contractor, who reveals that you do, in fact, have significant damage.
Armed with your contactor’s estimates, you file a claim with your insurance carrier. When the insurance adjuster shows up, he gives you a number way below your current estimates, stating your roof only needs “minimal repairs.” Which leaves you saying…
“Wait…. What? Do I, or do I not, have damage? What’s going on?!”
The process of taking care of your roof after a storm is not easy. Many experts will give you their professional opinion, and none of them seem to match – everyone is saying something different. Who’s right? Whom do you listen to? What can you do?
Your Roofing Contractor
First – you want to make sure you’re getting estimates from local, licensed, and insured contractors. Trust someone your community stands behind and read their reviews. They will be experts in roofing materials and shingle integrity, they’ll know where to look for water damage, they’ll even be able to predict what your “mild” damage will look like in a couple of months or a year! They have the experience to tell you exactly what’s wrong and what it’ll take to fix it.
The contractor will give you an estimate for the work that needed, including the cost of materials plus labor. Skilled labor and quality materials will definitely not be the cheapest option. Still, they’re well worth it when it comes to your roof.
A quality roof should last you 20-30 years and only need minimal repairs after a storm.
The contractor will want to repair anything and everything they see broken or damaged. They’ll play it safe, and the estimate will show it.
Your Insurance Carrier
Your insurance carrier’s job is to protect your property in case of emergencies. However, they are number crunchers, and their adjusters rarely have the level of expertise a contractor does. They’re looking at your roof for signs of existing significant damage and whether that damage was caused by the storm or was pre-existing damage from “negligence.” They typically will not be able to accurately predict what seemingly small damage will look like months or years from now. They’re hyper-focused on the now, less so on future damage inflicted by a lack of repairs.
Your insurance adjuster’s estimate will cover what they believe it will cost to repair the existing damage. Although they are likely familiar with the cost of roofing materials and labor, they are not experts. Their estimate will be conservative. They won’t want to pay more than strictly necessary if they even offer to pay at all.
Conflict of Estimates
Why do these clash? The main reason is that their interests lie in entirely different areas. We’ll exaggerate the situation for clarity…
Your contractor will overestimate because they make money off the repairs and your insurance will underestimate because they lose money in case of repairs.
The truth lies somewhere along the middle, but as a property owner or manager, your interest lies in the structural safety of your property, so the smart move is to repair or replace whatever could be damaged to play it safe.
The insurance carrier won’t want to pay for everything, which is where a public adjuster comes in to defend your claim. We’ll inspect the property ourselves and determine the accurate estimate for repairs. Then, we’ll represent you in front of your insurance to maximize your payout and get the repairs you need.
Do you need a public adjuster? Read the signs here.
If you own and/or operate a sizeable property, each claim can be an uphill battle. A public adjuster represents YOU through it. We have the knowledge and expertise of three generations of roofing contractors plus the know-how of the insurance world, and our main objective is to fight for and defend your interests. The best part? If we don’t increase your payout, you owe us nothing. Get a free claim review and get started!