Insurance Frustration.... Taking it out here... (Houston: credit, house, buy)

[lcw]

I am so frustrated... Now almost 3 months and my roof claim still not settled with Moderator cut: company name... They want to only replace part of the roof when 2 contractors have come out and said the entire roof needs to be replaced, in the meantime, we have a blue tarp on our house like so many others. Whether it is purposeful or just because they have too many claims, we are the ones that have to suffer for it!!

[Topaz]

That does seem frustrating. I wish an insurance professional would provide some advice here on how to make a policy ironclad so they can't mess with claims like this.

[Mom2Feebs]

I am so sorry you are dealing with this.

[Poltracker]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here. Why does the whole roof need to be repaired/replaced? Could it be that part of the roof was damaged by the storm and the rest of it is just old and needed to be replaced for other reasons?

I had damage to my ridge vent which required replacement and to a vent which lifted (just a matter of 2 nails to fix), but I also had some shingles that were nail popped before the storm. I never thought insurance was responsible for that. Actually in my case, the whole repair came out of my pocket never bothered to report to insurance due to my deductible.

[danieloneil01]

So these contractors say it needs to be replaced because of the damage only? Or the damage plus the age of the roof?


Pics would help your arguement.

Contractors know most people will use insurance money so of course they're going to say the whole thing needs to be replaced.

[cbreeze22]

I'm sorry you have to go through this. I understand the anger; I had the same issue with Moderator cut: company name. I resorted to a public adjuster to handle it, and during my search for one I ran into a dozen PA's that found it "futile" to work with Moderator cut: company name re: roof issues. My roof was only 6 years old, no other signs except for hail and wind damage from a storm that left my area a certified disaster zone. Every roof in my subdivision and neighboring subdivisions that weren't with Moderator cut: company name were fully replaced. I even say some frustrated homeowners resort to signs around the area about Moderator cut: company name.

A friend who is an adjuster with another insurance co. says that while they will definitely make you earn your claim, most will come around and do the right thing with evidence (like pics and reputable contractor recommendations). He said Moderator cut: company name is known within the industry as being the main cause of the negative perception most people have about adjusters and insurance people in general, and only people who can't get on with another company or are true "***holes" go work at Moderator cut: company name.

Don't know how/if public adjusters are an option in your area, but maybe something to consider.

I hope you get them to replace your roof.

[Shane_Rives]

My name is Shane Rives - I am a licensed Texas Insurance Agent.

I understand that some claims can be difficult to get through. Just keep at it and work with your agent to help you get through this. Make sure you have good pictures and full written reports from reputable roofers. An independant adjuster may be a good route if you can not get the matter resolved. If your roof is 15-20 plus years old, please take note of the comment above about the age of the roof vs the damaged area of the roof. The purpose of Insurance is to put you back to whole (fix the broken part of roof) not make you better off (fix the broken roof and replace the used/wornout section).

To Topaz's question on an ironclad policy. I dont know that this exists in its entirety, but you can do some things to protect the things you value better. Here is a brief list:
1) you should have an all risk policy and not a named peril policy period
2) you should buy insurance through an agent instead of through a company's 800 numberas in times of claims you will have an advocate .
3) you should insure yourself with a mutal company and not a stock held company (similar to difference between a bank and credit union). How do you know which is which (if the insurance company has stock ticker, stay away. That means by law the definition of their existance is to only make money for shareholders
4) you should carry higher limits and a $1 million umbrella policy (the higher limits the more the insurance company has at risk the more they will fight for you if you are sued)
5) you should have a flood policy from FEMA. no insurance company covers flood. A flood can happen anywhere at anytime. This should eliminate any coverage quesions in the event of a claim. If you are in a high risk wind area on the cost and wind coverage is excluded, get a wind insurance policy from the state.

Moderator cut: soliciting

[d2ka4]

okay, well i am a local contractor in houston who specializes in insurace claims, Now The reason that we always have the whole roof replaced is because a patch job will not be covered under the manufactures warrenty. So to be able to provide you with the best roof posible to indure the next storm we replace the whole thing. Despite what other contracters are doing in the area, we go back through to the insurance companys and get you the money need to replace the whole roof with an upgraded shingle. Our time to do so has been slow in the begining because of insurance companys dragging there feet, but they have been getting better and now its about a 10day turn around after the 2nd adjuster and our company meet up. There is alot of ways to get the roof you need with little hassel involved. if you have any more questions just post back okay, well i am a local contractor in Houston who specializes in insurance claims, Now The reason that we always have the whole roof replaced is because a patch job will not be covered under the manufactures warranty. So to be able to provide you with the best roof possible to endure the next storm we replace the whole thing. Despite what other contractors are doing in the area, we go back through to the insurance company's and get you the money need to replace the whole roof with an upgraded shingle. Our time to do so has been slow in the beginning because of insurance company's dragging there feet, but they have been getting better and now its about a 10day turn around after the 2nd adjuster and our company meet up. There is alot of ways to get the roof you need with little hassle involved. Because I am a general contractor We can get all your tiems taken care of at one time, insted of re filing for claims on stuff. If you have any other questions let me know