Got an education on current roofing costs!

[sld]

We have had to endure a lot of damage in the Midwest in the last few years. I don't care what the bid is, high or low, if it's a reputable company they will have some kind of relationship with the major insurance carriers. It is been very easy to get stuff fixed and has never cost me a dime either. These big roofing / exterior companies will fix it and then bill the insurance company, despite what some idiot adjuster bids.

These repair companies know what the insurance companies will pay for and they take care of everything. In most cases, if you have enough work done, they even absorb the deductible.

Based on my experience, ymmv, just get it fixed and sort it out later.

 

[Ken]

i would call the state insurance commission before retaining a lawyer.

I had a insurance co. stall in paying a claim went to State Comm. for answer on what to do
The lady smiled and said I like this type of problem let me call.
That night got a call from insurance co. wanting to know if I would come to there office or have a man deliver the check. They also said please not to call the state office with out checking with insurance first.
Told them what was I doing on the serveral other calls to there co.
All insurance co 's have to register with the state to do business to many compliants and there license can be lifted.
My suggestion is get your bids for the repair and have a friendly discussion with the State office.
ken

 

[clemsonfor]

Dargo, were you ever in the service? USAA in my experience is the best you can get. Although just cause you served dosent mean your able to get it. You have to either have kept it since in retired from service or served only X # of years ago i think?

The next cheapest i have priced has been Farm Bureau, not sure if your business stuff can be run through them though?

My BIL uses travelers and said they were cheapest on his home, although i found out on my farm property they were going to be roughly twice the others going rate?

Get your roof, call the state ins commission and get a free consult with your Lawyer on the matter and pay him to just write a letter expressing "his clients concerns and problems with his recent claim". I'm thinking your gonna come out on top on this one. They cant quote you a 1992 price on a roof in 2011!

 

[Rustyiron]

i would call the state insurance commission before retaining a lawyer.

Yes Yes Yes
I lost a barn years ago to snow. Called the proper state agency that keeps the ins. co's. in line with the state laws, and they paid for the loss. A whole bunch cheaper and prolly faster than a egg sucking lawyer!

 

[LBrown59]

1*Just get it fixed and sort it out later.

1*What if one don't have the money to do that?
I thought that was one of the reasons for having insurance .

2*I had the same problems you have had with State Farm and dumped then 4 years ago.

2* State Farm is real bad about that.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Dargo,

Somethings I learned the hard way.

First, don't talk to the adjuster. Kinda the same thing SLD was saying above.

On the day the adjuster is coming out to measure again, have your roofing contractor there to talk to the adjuster, and stay out of the conversation. Try it. I was told it would work and it worked for me.

Second, note that many "roofing contractors" are not really contractors - they are just brokers who sub the work to independents, usually Latinos. The quality of the installation has more to do with the subs, not the person you deal with. Learned this the hard way. For example, if left to their own devises, the subs will "cut" holes for vents, etc by simply bashing through the osb with a hammer. (Sheet metal benders, and saws? We don't need no stinkin sheet metal benders or saws. We got hammers.) See part three below.

Third, go to the local wholesaler and get the manufacturer's handbook on installing the brand of shingles that are going to be used. Lots of good information in the book. The guy I hired said, with frustration, "wool, I've never had a home owner crawl up on the roof to inspect the instillation before." He had no clue how to properly install shingles. The subs did, and would do it correctly when they knew they were being watched and told to do it properly.

 

[300UGUY]

My wife had a car accident, she got rear ended at a light. The insurance company didn't pay until I called the state insurance commissoner's office. The next morning I had the check. I am not sure it would work as well today, the insurance companies have elected a lot of legislator's the last few years.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Dargo, excuse me why I play devils advocate for a moment....

Why is your roof so stinking high? What kind of shingles did you have?

Should I move up there and do it, I can talk enough spanish to hire some guys and get her done.:thumbsup: Also can order us some cold beers in spanish.

 

[ultrarunner]

Sad to say... but it seems to be part of their business model...

Only one claim with State Farm from storm damage... they had flown in claims adjusters that simply didn't know the area...

When I persisted and finally was able to get the local guy out the situation was resolved.

On big claims an independent adjuster can get the ball going.

My brother was stonewalled when his wife was hit by another car running a red light and had to have bed-rest for the remainder of her pregnancy...

They spoke with lawyers who wanted at least 40% to take the case.

So my brother paid a local lawyer for 2 hours of his time to type up a complaint...

Then my brother filed a lawsuit in superior court and all of a sudden the insurance was calling him to settle... he said fine, when can I expect my check... of course they wanted to settle for less.

Anyway, each call stiffened his resolve... he sent out notices that he would be deposing the parties involved and had a date scheduled... 48 hours later he had a draft in the full amount...

Great advice on having your contractor negotiate for you with the adjuster... that is what I do now... I choose who is doing the work and the material used and let the contractor make it happen.

 

[ustmd]

How old was the roof? Depending on the type of coverage you have, you may be getting the "value" of the old roof and not the replacement cost.