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Posted by Rich256 on June 4, 2008, 12:41 pm
> I have noticed that in the last three or so years that about 20 percent of=
> the houses in my subdivision in northwest suburban Chicago have gotten new=
> siding and roofs. The houses here are about 15 years old. Almost all have
> been done by the same company that scours the neighboorhood after storms
> looking for any type of damage.
>
> My wife said they stopped by our house the other day and wanted to know if=
> we wanted our roof and siding replace because of hail and wind damage and
> that it would cost us nothing more than our deductible or something like
> that (my wife often does not get the whole story or ask a lot of questions=
)
> and that they would do most the talking with the insurance company. I said=
> what damage. She showed me a piece of loose siding by the side of the gara=
ge
> on the top row. I said that has been like that for years and I intend to f=
ix
> it someday - really. Then she showed me about 10 shingles that were elevat=
ed
> ever so slightly which I said that I can fix that in about an hour with so=
me
> roofing cement like I used to do on my first house back in more lean times=
.
>
> So my question is this legit in that these companies can get the insurance=
> companies to pay for almost all costs with only what I would call very min=
or
> damage that a handy man would probably fix for $100 ?? Wouldn't the
> insurance companies at least want to pro rate the roof replacement based o=
n
> the age of the roof?? Why in the world would they replace all the siding
> with such little damage. Or maybe there is more to it than that and the ho=
me
> owners are picking up a percentage of the repairs?
>
> As for me I don't like to mess with insurance companies as they always see=
m
> to have a way [individually or as a group] to get their money back
> particualry if you look like the type of client that is going to call them=
> for every little thing. I basically want to be covered in case of a fire,
> car theft, =A0or something like that.
>
> Thanks for any advice, input, experiences, or opinions.
>
> Steve
The insurance company will not accept the word of the company. The
company will have to notify the insurance company and they will send
out their own inspectors. Or you can call your insurance agent and
have an inspector.
Roof insurance is repacement of the roof regardless of age. If your
roof is indeed damaged the insurance company may just offer to repair
it. Sometimes it takes some argueing to get them to replace. I have
seen where every house in an area got a new roof but one. He had to
almost take the insurance company to court to get a new roof but he
finally got it.
And if the roof is to be replaced many if not most companies appraise
what it will cost to replace and what it is actually worth. You get a
check for what it is worth and they will pay the remainder, less your
deductable, when you actaully get it replaced.
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