Will the insurance cover it?

Question

My daddy is a roofer and while he was trying to roof this woman's house a storm came and caused all kinds of rain damage before he could get it covered up. Will her home owner's insurance cover it and does she have to pay my daddy? Wouldn't it be considered a natural disaster?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, any damage down while your father was working on this woman's roof is his responsibility. He can work out an arrangement with her to try and make the repairs himself. He can walk away from the situation and hope she doesn't sue him.

It was her responsibility to ensure that he was insurance. She didn't do that so her recourse is to work with your father or take him to court. Many contractors are taken to court but still don't pay the home own for the damages. If occurs frequently the law catches up with them and they go to jail.  I'm sure your father doesn't want to run his business in that manner.

Your dad's best option is to work with the homeowner. Ask her to contact her homeowners insurance and see if she will see if she can get any reimbursement. If not, hopefully, she and your dad can reach an agreement on how to make the repairs. Good luck.

Answer 2

Natural disaster has NOTHING to do with it.  

If her homeowners policy DOES pay, THEY will then come after your daddy.  Or his general liability policy.  

So SOMEONE is going to come after him to get paid for the damage.  If there's a storm, a roofer has to take care to protect the property - tarps, whatever.   And roofing doesn't take that long, ya know?   "All kinds of rain damage" sounds like he left it for days.

Does she have to PAY him?  Well, did he finish the job?  I sure wouldn't pay unless the job was finished, and he turned the claim over to his liability carrier.

Answer 3

Your father should be lisenced, bonded and insured for the work he does. Her homeowners insurance might cover it but I have a feeling they would say it was your fathers fault. As a business owner you have to take responsibility for the work you do or dont do. This is why contractors have to be lisenced, bonded and insured. If your father doesnt have these vital things then he isnt a bonified legit roofer. He may have the skills but in business its more then skills. You need to be accountable financially for your mistakes and have to comply with all the government regulations that are imposed on business. This is why these regulations are in place, to make sure there is accountability. I would never use someone who isnt insured. I wouldnt want the liability.

It is against the law in most States to work as a contractor without insurance.

Answer 4

If your father is doing independent construction work then he's required to be licensed and insured.  Sounds like he's doing unlicensed work on the side.