Frequently Asked Questions
- What is hail damage and can I look at my roof myself?
- My insurance company said I don't have any damage but several months later alot of my neighbors are getting new roofs.
- My roofer told me that I may need a reinspection. What is this?
- How do I pick the right roofer?
- Should I give my roofer a deposit?
- My roofer wants to see my roofers paperwork, should I show him?
What is hail damage and can I look at my roof myself?
Hail damage can be a dent, bruise, split, or any other result of a hail stone impact depending on the type of surface the hail hits. In most cases hail damage would not be visible from the ground. A homeowner should always get an experienced professional to assist with inspecting his or her home.
My insurance company said I don't have any damage but several months later a lot of my neighbors are getting new roofs.
A) Sometimes hail can miss your house, or your shingles may be newer or stronger.
B) Sometimes the hail bruises can be overlooked by an inexperienced adjuster. After large storms insurance companies may have to hire many new adjusters to handle all the claims. Some with little or no experience. We run into this in every large storm,
C) And in a lot of cases where the hail is around the size of a golf ball the bruises may not show until you have the rainfall to wash the granules from the bruises area.
My roofer told me that I may need a re-inspection. What is this?
A re-inspection is simply exercising your right as the insured to a second opinion from another adjuster...most insurance companies will gladly send a supervisor to double check your roof incase they might have missed it the first time.
*Remember it is very important to get a different adjuster on your re-inpection, the reasons should be obvious.
How do I pick the right roofer?
Unfortunately our industry attracts many fly-by-night contractors do your due diligence, check how long your roofers been in business.
A) VERY IMPORTANT CHECK THE BUSINESSES CORPORATION STATUS. Many roofing companies simply change their name slightly over and over eliminating their liability to warranty or lawsuits.
B) Ask to see their articles of corporation paper and it should match the name of the contract exactly.
C) Check their references from other homeowners.
D) Check supplier references and their credit status with those suppliers
E) Depending on the state of township they are working in, bonding and insurance may be required. Check banking references.
F) Don't always go with cheapest bid, use your common sense, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. THE BITTERNESS OF POOR QUALITY LINGERS ALOT LONGER THAN THE SWEET PRICE SOON FORGOTTEN.
Should I give my roofer a deposit?
NO. You should never give money up front to a roofer, unless you have ordered a special product of some kind, and then your check should be made directly to supplier.
My roofer wants to see my roofers paperwork, should I show him?
Yes. You should always have your roofer assist you with the claim. Starting with meeting the adjuster on site and going over your loss sheet paperwork with you. In most cases the roofer can help you benefit more by seeing the insurance paperwork and this will not affect the price you pay or the agreement you make. There may be many other items your insurance company owes you for, besides the roof, like gutters, windows, screens, AC units, garage doors, fencing, siding, etc. Our company always makes our agreement or discounts prior to seeing the paperwork anyway.