How-to: Inspect Insurance Claim for Hail Damage with a Contractor Present

[@cascam1]

such an authority in other countries people are more humble and just as competent.

[@jimbow56]

I really prefer to measure the roof first and then have the scope conversations. That's just me though. She did a great job.

[@waltbryant0860]

The siding is loose because it was improperly installed. Maintenance issue not weather related.

[@srizki]

Use Ladder Assist to avoid this confusion and the risk of walking backward.

[@RooferNews]

I wish I knew some of these tips two years ago. thanks

[@jamesb8467]

Heather, I just got my adjusters license in Louisiana. If you’re still doing claims adjusting, would you mentor me. I see you do some of these claims in the greater New Orleans area. I’m not far away.

[@WeFindSimpleSolutions]

James B I just got over to Lake Charles it’s a mess. I own a roofing company that works with insurance claims

[@jamesb8467]

@@WeFindSimpleSolutions I’m in Lafayette. I spend weeks in Lake Charles helping clean up after the storms. It was so bad after Laura hit.

[@savageinstitute9569]

@@WeFindSimpleSolutions You still working that storm?

[@WeFindSimpleSolutions]

@@savageinstitute9569 nope focusing back In southern Maryland, will probably go back through to the Lake Charles area because it seems like that work isn’t going to be ending anytime soon

[@WeFindSimpleSolutions]

@@savageinstitute9569 No we’ve taken a break, we’re back in southern Maryland focused on the wind damage claims here, but we’re going to head back out to Louisiana because we know Due to the pandemic that these claims are going to stay open for a lot longer

[@brokenarrowez]

The insurance policy gives the insurance company the legal right to repair first. If repairs cost more than the replacement, the adjuster will replace the damage areas. The worst adjusters in my opinion are the staff adjusters.

[@Maison1990]

"If repairs cost more than a replacement" Sounds like someone's been brainwashed by their insurance company.

[@harmonythink-say-do2980]

I don’t particularly appreciate the narrator’s attitude going into this. Feels like projection or lack of self confidence in their ability in adjusting. That being said, the whole process is tedious and both sides are likely doing the best they can. Regardless, having both parties on site should be a symbiotic situation as there are two sets of eyes to observe damage as opposed to one and more time doesn’t need to be wasted by BOTH parties on the back end for supplementing. ALSO, it’s an opportunity for the contractor and the insurance company’s representative to network, put a face to a name, and build a relationship which can help cut costs (time=money) for everyone involved. As SHE said, it shouldn’t be an adversarial situation. Sure there are situations where the contractor acts in their best interest and likewise for the insurance company. But these two did work together for the homeowner which is the main point of this whole process. Anyone hinting to something otherwise is a narcissistic asshat, imo.

[@widjadija]

HARMONY FIRST I agree completely. As a contractor who doesn’t advocate for a claim unless the damage is there and meets the requirements of the homeowner’s carrier, I have had a lot of adjusters say there isn’t damage when there is. I also know from a customer service standpoint, homeowners like to see that you care enough to show up an extra time to make sure the adjuster doesn’t miss anything. But I have definitely spoken with adjusters and homeowners who have seen contractors recommend a claim when there’s no damage and waste everyone’s time, and I also know some contractors that are super pushy about approving the claim whether damage is there or not. So I see why some adjusters prefer to not have contractors out. When I go out, I just hand them the report I came up with, step back, and let them do their job. If they say they weren’t seeing the damage, then I can point out specific examples and if they still don’t agree it’s enough, depending on the situation, I either let it go and work with the homeowner out of pocket if they want, or I call out a re-inspection if I think the adjuster was being unfair to the homeowner.

[@nomadicrecovery1586]

@@widjadija As an adjuster, Ive seen just the opposite. If a contractor is involved, there is ALWAYS hail damage. Of course, thats not true, and thus the conflict. An adjusters job is to stand in the middle, not for the carrier, or the contractor, but for the policy and actual damages.

[@widjadija]

Nomadic Recovery respectfully, I said some contractors cry storm damage in hopes that they’ll get a paycheck. You said ALWAYS, which definitely isn’t true. Our company isn’t huge, but NONE of our people want to waste everybody’s time on fake claims. If it needs work, we’re happy to fix it. If it doesn’t, then we let the homeowner know and they appreciate the honesty, so it becomes a referral. I’m not an adjuster, so I don’t see nearly as many roofers as you do, but, regardless, it’s unfair to say we ALWAYS say there’s hail since I know we don’t operate that way. As for adjusters, I’ve been doing this 5 years full time and 90% of adjusters I meet are very nice and professional. The other 10% are just unhappy and hate all roofers. As far as paying for the roof when it needs it, it depends on the company and their policies. Some companies are great. Some companies aren’t. I was on a roof last week for wind damage. 68 shingles in the back were damaged off, 72 on the front were damaged. The customer was with them over 30 years and hadn’t ever filed a claim, they still need to have an engineer come out. On the other hand, I’ve had some customers who had minimal damage and told them their roof was in great shape and was unlikely to get paid for by insurance, adjuster comes out and agrees but pays for it anyway. I guess what I should have clarified on is that most adjusters are good people, but a lot of policies they have to follow are what cause issues. It really comes down to policy, and I think you’ll agree that some policies are ridiculous.

[@nomadicrecovery1586]

H R very true

[@lawrenceek]

She should have told the contractor to wait on the ground for her safety. The last thing anyone on a roof wants is someone hovering over them.

[@ridgetopexteriors2410]

If it was a male adjuster would he be moving the ladder around for him

[@RooferNews]

Probably not

[@charlesbonadies9080]

@@RooferNews Im a contractor and I carry the ladder for every adjuster it’s courtesy to help everyone’s job go easier

[@Dadstrength2.0]

I can’t believe she fell for it!

[@thompsonappliance3078]

How long does this process usually take?

[@xaphan8581]

It takes longer if the contractors there. Most times these insurance adjusters won’t even get on the roof

[@brianhammer998]

@@xaphan8581 stop lying, if the adjuster doesn’t get on the roof their ladder assist does. Roof inspection has to be done

[@stevenhoch1076]

Never back up on a roof!

[@billr7056]

Absolutely... one of the dumbest things you could do.

[@RooferNews]

true

[@المهديخاتلبالمجاري]

Never back up anywhere unless you are a girl!

[@goosecouple]

I am see leaks at my house. Should I go to the insurance agent first or to the roofing inspector.

[@joelhereth8486]

Roof inspector

[@rantsrus8203]

roof inspection

[@Alan-wv6il]

Roofers ALWAYS recommend replacement. If you want honesty, call your insurance adjuster.

[@charlesbonadies9080]

@@Alan-wv6il the adjuster will always say the roof is not damaged or can be repaired

[@Alan-wv6il]

@@charlesbonadies9080 couldn’t be farther from the truth. What adjuster do you know would rather tell a customer we are repairing a roof rather than replacing it??!?! Truth is if a roof can be repair it is absolutely fair to cover the repair. That’s what allows me to sleep at night. The adjuster is the most honest party in the claim.

[@allison447]

Amber is smoooookin'.

[@المهديخاتلبالمجاري]

TA who’s amber? I thought she was heather?

[@allison447]

@@المهديخاتلبالمجاري I don't know. Heard amber. Maybe I need help with my english too

[@TheGolfster3]

How do you know for fact that the contractor is there "to influence the inspection..."? Another thing, a contractor is never there "representing the policy holder". The contractor is an expert in everything roofing and that includes damage from hail or wind. If this inspection was conducted properly, it would be an engineer conducting the inspection and not an adjuster. An adjuster only knows how to write up estimates and has no business determining whether a roof is damaged or not.

[@Alan-wv6il]

Majority of roofers are dishonest. ATTENTION HOMEOWNERS: there is not an adjuster on the planet that enjoys repairing or finding no damage. We always come with an open mind and are honest.

[@danielcunningham7686]

Lol

[@mygoogleaccount2354]

Yeah, this couldnt be further from the truth. As someone who has been both an IA and is now a PA, there is an entire industry that revolves around not paying claims properly. "There is not an Adjuster on the planet..." maybe youd like to explain the litany of class actions against Carriers for this exact type of behavior. The truth is that there are very dishonest people on both sides. The Carrier wants your Premiums in the hopes that they'll never have to pay a claim. And roofers want the job as a full replacement so they can benefit. If you suspect theres an issue, call a LOCAL, highly reviewed contractor to inspect your roof, then make an informed decision on what you want to do to proceed. Insurance Agents directly benefit by there not being claims filed, Insurance companies benefit by not paying or by delaying payment. I've literally sat in on conversations with a Supervisor from a Carrier telling an Engineering firm to essentially deny a large commercial claim by any means necessary.

[@ryancastner1407]

As long as you aren't with statefarm or allstate that's true

[@Alan-wv6il]

Relevant_Nonsense_Podcast what benefit would the adjuster have to not pay a claim? Most IAs are on a fee schedule so the more they pay the more they make?!?

[@Alan-wv6il]

Ryan Castner why, because they pay for actual damage and not bullshit blisters and traffic?

[@blake102989]

That pink tool belt automatically voids her assessment

[@Alan-wv6il]

blake102989 sexist much?

[@patrickknapp5867]

The person talking needs to stop being so bias, contractor's job is to make sure adjuster doesn't just try to deny the claim. As for buying the roof, we pay for coverage for a reason. I don't ask to patch something that broken. And I don't pay for shit to be mismatched. Adjusters can be dishonest and so can contractors. But sadly I've seen more adjusters dishonest than contractors

[@markjaramillo1203]

Facts

[@المهديخاتلبالمجاري]

Commentator voice is very creepy!

[@teddfreestone5211]

Like the comment about we will replace the damaged sides of the roof. How the hell are you going to match shingles that are even 5 years old the color difference will be different. When you go to buy shingles the packages even state do not mix die lots which are the numbers printed on the bag from the manufacturing plant. You cannot mix batch numbers or materials from different plants if you want a matching and good looking roof. Insurance adjusters are a joke. They are not trained in roofing they are trained to screw the customer.

[@killamatrix1]

Depends on the customer policy. They may not have matching dude

[@waltbryant0860]

We replace both slopes if they can be seen from the same angle. If not, we replace only the damaged slope.

[@teddfreestone5211]

@@killamatrix1 I'm in Texas and we are a matching state regardless of policy language.

[@savageinstitute9569]

@@teddfreestone5211 Yep, depends on the state DOI rules and the contract.

[@mercedeslongoria4340]

Why she carrying all that bs...freakn over sellling it.

[@Encourageable]

You carry what you may need so you aren’t going up and down the ladders to get stuff. As long as it isn’t making you lose your balance you can carry whatever you want. It’s smart to be prepared.

[@joebeermaster5495]

Good thing the homeowner had a contractor there to represent her...the rich greedy insurance co hired and trained you to represent them. Greedy insurance companies need to pay what they owe and honor their contracts with the public. That's why homeowners need to get help from a public adjuster. Your vid is flawed as it is not the ins cos job to look for damage but the homeowners job to point it out. Good job trying to fool the public. Of course she will deny the siding that has hail damage and blame it on something else......They still owe for the siding as it did not have hail dents all over it b 4 the storm...weather or not it was worked on. If insurance company still disagrees there is court and other remedies.

[@GoodContractorsRoofingOwner]

joe beermaster go back and look at the video. The siding dispute was not over hail damage; it was over wind damage. The adjuster saw that the siding had no J channel to secure it where the siding meets the window frame. Obviously in-work or improperly installed. FYI, I'm a contractor.

[@joebeermaster5495]

They still have to put in pre storm condition.

[@GoodContractorsRoofingOwner]

You're right. Pre-storm condition was clearly "in-work" or not installed properly. No wind damage is going to rip away the nailed in J channel that secures the siding and leave the un-nailed siding on the house. She did a good job and that is why the contractor did not buck her decision.

[@jeremyrettig7781]

+joe beermaster It's not the insurance company's job to have their adjuster look for damage? That completely contradicts the instruction from every insurance company (50+) I've ever assisted in a claim. Believe it or not, not everyone needs a public adjuster, especially if there's a contractor involved (but I'm sure you already know that).

[@joebeermaster5495]

Yes!

[@pauldavies5655]

DONT YOU JUST LOVE A WOMAN UP A ROOF ,,LOL X

[@DNR1982]

+paul davies NOPE... TOO DANGEROUS

[@danielgibbs7234]

good thing OSHA did not see this. 3 points of contact on a ladder at all times lol

[@Encourageable]

That’s not the type of safety rule that OSHA enforces.

[@blawler]

If you are stationary the rule doesn't apply, the surface is considered a work station (2 points of contact). It's only enforced when ascending or decending.

[@theodoreclark2011]

@@blawler Wouldn't pertain to those with an exception either, like in the course of inspection (instead of working), or if you work for yourself.

[@slimpickens8343]

obsolete now. Just use the drone

[@Maadhawk]

Can't judge damage as hail, blister, or nail pop with a drone. Can't get enough contrast. This is from first hand experience experimenting using a drone along with my father while working for Pilot Cat.

[@covetthecamper2289]

No way. A drone can’t see or feel if hail stones have crushed the shingle. This needs to be done by a trained professional inspector. A drone is just supplement photos/video to the hands on. Not needed at all.

[@wyldfantasies]

Drones don't get the job done sir.

[@Encourageable]

It’s good to embrace technology but a drone just doesn’t cut it for roof inspections. You have to walk the roof if at all possible. For a very steep roof or a roof that is fragile would be the only cases where you’d want to use a drone.