Hail, roofers, insurance, and being smart

Question

I had a massive hail storm hit my house (and cars) over the weekend. I contacted an area roofing company and they are telling me that there is definately damage (which I have seen) and they want me to sign a "contingincy contract" which basically says I agree to use them as my contactor and they will "negotiate" on my behalf with my insurance company to repair the roof at no cost to me less my deductible. This seems pretty straight forward.

HOWEVER, some say that I'd be better off simply getting estimates from 3 reputable contractors and then getting the insurance adjuster to look at the house and see what the insurance would be willing to pay. This way if the insurance company says, for example, that they'd cut me a check for $7000, but I can repair the roofs for $6000, then the $1000 is mine to keep. (Seems kind of dishonest, doesn't it?)

So my question, for those that have been through this experience, or work in the insurance (or roofing industry) is: Would I be better off to just sign this contract with a good company and know that it will be handled or take the time to meet with several contractors, the adjuster, with the hope of "pocketing" money as some say is likely to happen.

Answer 1

It would be a bad idea to allow bind yourself to one roofing company. It is a worse idea to allow a roofing company represent you in a claim. You would have no idea what is going on. Plus if the roofers do a poor job the insurer is not going to help you out at all, since these were your representatives.  

Answer 2

I have gone through this....get 3 estimates.   We had a massive hail storm a few years back....shysters from all over flooded the area.  Go with a reputable local company, so if you have anything that needs correcting after it's done you can find them.  And make sure they guarantee their work.  The people that didn't do this were left with work not completed and problems.  Good luck to you!  

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Any reputable roofing company will not make you sign a "contingency contract". They don't have to. Their reputation is good so they don't have to lock business in with a contract.

Not to mention, they have no legal standing to negotiate with the adjuster. As an adjuster, I don't have to talk to them.

The adjuster will come out, inspect your roof, measure it and write an estimate to pay a fair rate. If the roofing company calls the adjuster wanting to charge an inflated rate (which is very common) the adjuster will not pay more. And now you are stuck using this company.

Insurance companies do not pay what ever roofers want to charge. And after a hail storm, roofing companies get crazy with the price gouging.

So, let the adjuster inspect your roof and write an estimate. Then decide what company you want to have do the repairs. Show that company the insurance estimate.

After a big hail storm, a bunch of roofers come in from out of state. Some are good.....some are not. Personally, I'd recommend you stay with a local roofer. Even if you have a longer wait. This way, if there are any problems, he's still around to come back and take care of them. He's also more likely to do a better job. Since he's local.....it's his reputation at stake.  Some out of state company that comes in just because of the storm and leaves as soon as the works done.....has nothing to lose if they do a rotten job. They are not around to honor any warranty they give you and they have moved onto another state/storm so who cares with their reputation is in your area.

**** not legal advice...just my personal opinion ***

Answer 5

Don't sign anything until after you've talked to the adjuster.

Although it's not automatically a bad deal, you want:

1.   to make sure they have gl and workers comp for their guys - via a certificate of insurance, made out to YOU

2.  everyone is on the same page, before the work begins, including you, the insurance company, and the roofer

3.  the work is completed, before they get paid, to your satisfaction

Just a few cautions, there.