When dealing with roof damage and an ensuing insurance claim, one question often arises: should a roofing professional be present when your insurance adjuster assesses the damage? This decision can be crucial in ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation of the damage. Let’s explore the advantages and considerations of having a roofer meet with your adjuster.
The Role of an Insurance Adjuster and a Roofer
Insurance Adjuster
An insurance adjuster is sent by your insurance company to evaluate the damage to your property and determine how much the insurance company should pay for the repairs. Adjusters are trained to assess damage but might not have specialized roofing expertise.
Roofer
A professional roofer brings specific expertise in identifying all forms of roof damage, some of which can be subtle or overlooked by those not specialized in roofing. They can provide a detailed assessment and estimate of the repair work needed.
Advantages of Having a Roofer Meet Your Adjuster
- Expert Assessment: Roofers can point out damages that an adjuster might miss, ensuring a comprehensive assessment.
- Accurate Estimates: Roofers can provide a realistic estimate of the repair costs, which can be beneficial in ensuring the insurance estimate is fair and adequate.
- Advocacy for Homeowner: The roofer can act as your advocate, ensuring that the insurance company recognizes the full extent of the damage and the necessary repairs.
- Clarification of Technical Aspects: Roofers can explain technical details and the necessity of certain repairs to the adjuster, which might be crucial for claim approval.
- Preventing Disputes: Having both professionals present can minimize disputes over the scope of damage and repair costs later in the claims process.
Considerations and Best Practices
– Choose a Reputable Roofer: Ensure the roofer you choose is licensed, experienced, and has good reviews or references.
– Choose a Roofer Who Communicates Well: While insurance coverages and storm damages have many technical aspects – a human touch is a major factor in your storm restoration experience. Work with a contractor who respects your time, as well as the insurance adjusters!
– Prior Inspection: It’s beneficial if the roofer inspects your roof prior to meeting with the adjuster, so they are fully prepared to discuss the specific damage and needed repairs.
– Communicate with Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company that your roofer will be present during the adjuster’s visit. Transparency is key in the claims process.
– Avoid Aggressive Tactics: Choose a roofer who is professional and cooperative. Aggressive or confrontational tactics can complicate your claim process.
– Understand Your Policy: Be familiar with your insurance policy’s terms regarding claims and assessments. This knowledge can help in discussions with both the adjuster and the roofer.
Is There a Risk to Not Having a Roofer Meet My Adjuster?
Now that we addressed the benefits of having a roofing contractor, let’s look at the risk involved in not involving a trusted professional involved early in the restoration process. While we would hope that insurance would always be fully prepared to meet our needs to the fullest extent during our most vulnerable times – we must understand that insurance carriers and adjusters are not all equal in intention or aptitude! (Just like contractors!) Here we explore these risks in detail:
1. Underestimation of Damage
One of the primary risks of not having a contractor present during the adjuster’s visit is the potential for underestimation of the damage. Insurance adjusters, while skilled in assessing damage, may not have the same level of detailed expertise as a contractor who deals with storm damage repairs and replacements daily. Contractors can identify subtle damages that adjusters might overlook, such as hidden water damage or structural issues that aren’t immediately visible. Roofing contractors will be specialized in roofing code and best practices – while mold remediation companies may be most qualified to discuss the safe removal of microbial growth. It is not realistic to expect adjusters to be flawlessly specialized in each aspect of storm restoration! Without this expertise, the claim may not fully reflect the extent of the damage, leading to insufficient coverage for repairs.
2. Mismatch in Repair Cost Estimations
Storm Restoration Contractors bring detailed knowledge of current material costs and labor rates, which can fluctuate significantly over time. Without a contractor’s input, insurance adjusters might base their estimates on outdated or generalized pricing models, which could result in a lower payout than what is actually required to complete the repairs to pre-damage condition. This discrepancy can leave homeowners covering the difference out of pocket.
3. Lack of Advocacy
A contractor acting on your behalf can serve as an advocate during the adjuster meeting, ensuring that all damages are properly documented and the repair scope is accurately represented. They can negotiate with the adjuster in real-time, providing justifications for repairs and replacements based on industry standards and practices. Consider this: when a catastrophe strikes, adjusters from all over the country head to the affected area to help with claim volume. Contractors severely outnumber adjusters in these situations. So, the adjusters are often handling dozens of claims, calls, and personalities at one time. This can lead to fatigue and human error. Without an advocate, homeowners may find themselves accepting the adjuster’s assessments without question, potentially missing out on entitled coverage.
4. Delays in Repair Process
The presence of a storm restoration contractor during the initial assessment can also streamline the repair process. A storm restoration contractor can immediately begin planning for repairs, ordering materials, and scheduling work based on the adjuster’s findings. If discrepancies or additional damages are discovered later, not having a contractor present initially can lead to delays. These delays can exacerbate problems, especially if temporary fixes are needed to prevent further damage. Having the appropriately qualified professional in your corner can be like having a doctor with X-ray vision assessing your hurt arm or leg!
5. Complications in Claim Reconciliation
Should there be a need to dispute the adjuster’s findings, having a detailed report from a contractor present at the initial meeting can provide valuable evidence to support your case. Without this, reconciling discrepancies in the claim can become more challenging, potentially requiring additional inspections and negotiations, further delaying repairs and settlement. Many contractors use photograph softwares such as Company Cam to time, date, and GPS stamp the property and damages. Having these overviews of an adjuster’s findings and markings can prove pivotal in the accountability of future disputes should they arise.
Conclusion
Having a roofing professional present during your insurance adjuster’s visit can be very beneficial. It ensures that all damage is properly identified, costs are accurately estimated, and your interests are well-represented. However, it’s important to approach this with professionalism and good communication. By doing so, you can navigate the claims process more effectively and ensure your roof is restored to its proper condition.
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*This article offers guidance on involving a roofer in your insurance claim process. For specific advice and information, consult with your insurance provider and a trusted roofing professional. Roofers are not adjusters. If there are disputes about specific policy language – contact the appropriately licensed professionals to discuss your coverages. Click HERE for 6 Great Questions to Ask Your PA or Attorney*