I don’t see any hail damage on my roof. Why is everyone making such a big deal about this?
Unfortunately, hail damage is not easily seen most of the time. You will never (outside of incredibly severe hail storms) see holes or even major indentations on your roof; however, hail hits and damage will drastically shorten the life of your roof.
If you’ve noticed that homeowners in your area have been getting their roofs replaced, or if you’ve noticed damage to your vehicle after a storm, you most likely have hail damage to your roof as well.
There may be no visible signs from the ground, so it’s very important to give us a call at 303-346-6010 so that one of our knowledgeable project managers can inspect your roof. If we do find damage we will work with you insurance company to make sure you are properly compensated so you can get your roof fixed or replaced.
Normally, hail has to be about the size of a golf ball before it will cause bruising to the shingles on your roof. Sometimes these damages can be easily overlooked because they are not very obvious, but do not underestimate the severity of even something that looks like minor damage.
Even small sized hail, either in large quantities or when driven by high winds, can cause your roof to suffer severe damage from the loss of the protective granules on the shingle. Not only is the granule loss aesthetically displeasing, it leaves the shingles exposed to UV rays form the sun, which greatly increase the rate at which the shingle will deteriorate.
It is always best to file your claim right away. If you wait for the UV deterioration to happen you may have trouble getting your insurance company to approve your claim. If you are already in this situation let us know. We might be able to help.
Will my rates increase if I file a roofing claim through my insurance company?
No; homeowners insurance does not work like auto insurance. You are not penalized directly for filing a claim; instead, rate increases are based on your geological location. If you are in an area that has sustained substantial damage from a recent storm, be that hail or otherwise, then your rates may increase even if don’t file a claim. Since your rates can increase even if you don’t file a claim (based on how much damage your area has received), it is always in your best interest to file a claim ASAP and have your roof inspected for damage.
What about the inspection process after I file a claim with my insurance company? How does that work?
Typically, your insurance company will send out an adjuster to your home during normal business hours, so you will probably not be home when the adjustment is taking place. Unfortunately, this means that you have no input in what the adjuster is looking to replace or pay for.
This is why we ask that you give us a call at 303-346-6010 and allow us to be your representative during the adjuster’s inspection. Having one of our professionals on site along with the adjuster will ensure that neither party misses any damage to your home.
My insurance company already said that there was no damage to my roof. What can I do now?
It’s entirely possible that your roof was the only one on the block that wasn’t damaged. It’s also entirely possible that the adjuster is new, or maybe just missed the damage that is on your roof. There have been many instances where we have been able to meet the adjuster at a home for re-inspection. Re-inspections are entirely within your right to request with your insurance company, so don’t hesitate to call us so we can work FOR you in getting what you deserve.
Okay, well now that my roof is replaced, how do I pay you? Does the insurance deal with you directly?
Yes and no. In most cases, about a week after an adjuster has looked at your property and approved your claim, you will receive your first check in the mail. This is most commonly called your ACV (actual cash value) payment for the damage to your home.
However, this check does NOT include the depreciation which, when added to the ACV check you received, represents the total expenses to replace your roof. Many homeowners never see this second check because they do not understand the process or, more commonly, hire a roofing company who does not understand the proper procedures to have the depreciation check mailed out to you. Mountain States Roofing, Inc. knows how to work with insurance companies to make sure you get all of the compensation that you are entitled to.
A lot of the companies I’ve talked to have said that I don’t need to pay my deductible. I thought this was illegal?
It is; do not trust any roofing company that explicitly states you do not need to pay your deductible. You are not allowed to profit from a loss. Not paying the deductible on your insurance policy is considered profiting from a loss, and doing so is committing insurance fraud. Insurance fraud is a class 3 felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison! Due to the amount of roofing claims in Colorado, and the amount of the aforementioned “fly-by-night” companies, many insurance companies will audit their claims. If they find out that you are not paying your deductible, or that you’re pocketing any of the insurance money directly, you and your contractor (us!) could be held liable. If you are unable to pay your deductible, we do have options to help, such as the ability to pay you for referrals. If this is a concern, make sure to discuss your options with one of our project managers. Just remember, a deductible must always be paid!
I see a lot of talk about getting multiple estimates for my roof. Is this something that is required?
No, it is not. Many people will recommend this to you as a means to finding a company that works with you and you feel comfortable working with in return. We also want you to find the company that works best for your needs, but finding a “cheaper” roofing company, or one who is charging more to your insurance company as a means to make you more money (remember, this is illegal and considered insurance fraud!) is not the way to go about it. Even if you did choose the company who offered a lower price, what reward will your insurance company give you for finding the lowest price for them? Will they lower your premium? Your insurance company will pay your roofing company a “fair market price;” typically, this is a price determined by a defined price list. Most insurance companies use one called Xactimate software, which is the same software we use to price our estimates.
This is so helpful! So which roofing company should I hire to do the work?
You should only choose a roofing company that is local, has a good reputation with both the BBB and their customers, and most importably is willing to help you with the claims process. Dealing with your insurance company can be a nightmare, so let us do the work for you. The only time you should be speaking with your insurance company during this process is if they call to verify what work has been completed. Let us handle speaking with the adjuster and claim(s) representative so as to facilitate the process for you as much as possible.
With all this in mind, it’s very important to hire a professional and knowledgeable roofer as opposed to one of the many “fly-by-night” companies that appear in Colorado. Mountain States Home Improvement, Inc has your back, so give us a call today for a quick, easy, and free estimate on your roof replacement.