Real Estate Blog - Anyone having a roof issue, due to a hail storm, and ...

Home : Blogs : Bob Sloop, Consultant, Indianapolis, IN : Bob's Blog

Anyone having a roof issue, due to a hail storm, and ...

Anyone having a roof issue, due to a hail storm, and ... your insurance company is fighting you for the repairs or replacement of a roof? Well here we are, doing just that. Fighting for a new roof as we are the only home that is not having it's insurance company back up our claim. We had a hail storm one year ago last April. The homes beside, in back of, and across the street in our subdivision all have new roofs due to the storm. Our insurance company however is stating we do not have enough damage to have it repaired or replaced. All I can say is, miracles still exist, and we received one, we did. Must have..

So now we are being told arbitration is now what we have to do. I really do not know why, as this all seems a waste of time. So, I thought I would bring this to you for your opinion. Just imagine your the only home in a subdivision on a court setting, where all he homes around you have had damage. Are the other insurance companies wrong and just giving out new roofs? Let me know your opinions and I will let you know how things happen to end up here.

If you have had a similar situation as this please let us know how you handled it too. Thanks for your comments.,

Posted by Bob Sloop, Consultant, Indianapolis, IN on 04/23/2007 10:13 PM

Comments (18)

anyone having a roof issue, due to a hail storm, and

18 Comments on Anyone having a roof issue, due to a hail storm, and ...

APR

2007

Bob, My daughter and son-in-law had this happen, Everyone around them has a new roof, except them. They did nothing, the insurance refused, said they didn't have damage. I read Cyndi's post about this, but the company she mentioned was not their insurance company. Sorry, I have no guidance for you. :(

Bob, the problem is abuse. Isn't it always?

Real roofs only cost $50 per square to repair or replace. Insurance companies began inflating the amount they were willing to pay to $150 to $200 per square. Why?

Well it created a profit center for roofing companies who then go and tell everyone they have damage. Well frankly not everyone does have damage that needs replacing. But as the entire market begins making claims the insurance companies finally start to crack down, not on the early abusers, but sadly on those people that waited.

You might want to ask your neighbors for a referral to a good insurance agent!

Steve, real roofs cost $50 per square, are you kidding. They cost much more than that here. $150 would be a bargain.

Bob, what I have done in many cases si to have the roofer or plumber meet us at the home togeather to go over the damage. There is something about a face to face that amkses things work. Do you have All State? I have helped many older people get things fixed after ignoring seniors after paying premiums for 30 to 40 years. They the Insurance companies want to blow these seniors off. It makes me mad and go out of my way to get them the rerpairs or remedies that they deserve. It happens over and over again.

You saw our damage here so you can imagine how many people got left out that had real claims. Maybe I will put you in the senior category.

Bob,

Maybe you need to give the adjuster the address to your blog and tell them that you are about to start a daily recap of your battle with his insurance company. Maybe you should put the name of the insurance company in every title, like this "___________ is a crappy insurance company!"

Featured! Well done Bob, looks like you hit a nerve.

Bob, All State lost its first big case here last week. The person claimed damage from 130 mile per hour winds that damaged his roof. This happened before he got 10 feet of water. Its a tough call but some become common sense.

APR

2007

Bob; We had a big storm go through Prineville about a year or two ago, and there was a lot of damage - I just closed escrow on one that it took all this time to get the insurance check - they had to replace the room on the home, the garage and a lot of siding too... maybe you should think of changing companies after this one is settled

Hi Bob - I feel badly that you're having to deal with this with your insurance company. Why do they put some people through this, when clearly there is a need for them to come through for you??? I just don't understand why they do what they do at times. They all too happily take your money on a regular basis for your premium payments, and yet when it comes time for them to perform, what happens???? I wish you all the best in this situation, and I hope they come through for you very soon. Ann

Speaking from experience, be careful what you ask for. Even if you do find a company that pays on a claim, they may raise your rates. Then if you decide to shop around, the other companies will see you filed a claim, since you are now in a national database, and refuse to insure you. Even worse, if you are in a high claim area, i.e., hurricane area, tornado belt, etc., you may not even find an insurer. IMO, home insurance is for the "big" one, not for some damaged shingles.

I'm curious as to which insurance company you are dealing with. I've always been happy with my insurance company, but would hate to go through the same thing!

Hi everyone, so far I agree with all comments. I am going to weigh each one, and I do not take any lightly. I am going to replace my roof regardless of the outcome with this situation. My insurance company is now being sued and we have to enter into a arbitration if we are to persue this mess. Which we are doing, and will continue to do so. I would not be here if I did not think our roof was not damaged. I have been on top of it and I do see the damage. What a mess. But we will continue. Thank you all for your great comments. Its nice to know were not the only ones out here going through this type of transaction. I will let you know the outcome! Promise.

Actually I found they were all playing to the same rules. 1st claim, ok but small increase. 2nd claim still ok but a significant increase and now nobody else will write write me a policy since the 2nd was within a 3 year period. 3rd claim, start looking for a FAIR plan. Best thing to do, ask your agent how it works. He might tell you.

Bob, if you are planning on staying in that house, make sure you get shingles that will withstand hail/wind damage for your area and get a roofer that gives you get the manufacturer's warranty for the same. Most shingle manufacturer's have excellent data on their websites. (You may also be eligible for a premium discount.) Also, Consumer Report and yes, even your insurance company may give you advise to preclude another payout.

Good Luck!

I myself have only had one listing that went "pending" and, as a result of a requested roof inspection, found that the roof had hail damage...

I was actually VERY pleased with my client's insurance carrier..

They sent out an independent roof inspector to verify the damage (very understandable).. He ageed with the first inspection...

They sent out an adjuster to determine the $$ amount of damage, and thus the claim...

Since the City of Davenport, Iowa limits the number of roofing layers on a home, the roofing contractor had to remove 4 layers of old roof, re-sheet the entire area, and replace the felt and shingles...

Cost to Insurance Carrier: $4,500

All, at no cost to my sellers---- The insurance carrier did its job to the hilt..

I drove by the house the other day, and the roof still looks like new--- 6 years later...

Hi Bob, we saw this happen A LOT in 04, the year of the canes. There are still a couple frayed blue tarps around, I don't know if that was a no insurance or an insurance issue but we had a lot of insurance woes.

Hello Bob -

Looks like this one received some attention. Guess I this makes us even in regards to my "Sunday Ride" post. It sounds like this is more common than we might want it to be.

Like I said Cyndi, we are not the only ones out here with this issue, it is hard to choke down the fact that our house just got missed in the middle of all the rest. Or, are all the other insurance companies , wrong and just handing out new roofs for the good of it? Good thought huh?

This blog does not allow anonymous comments