My leap into the roofing and insurance claims business happened back in May '95.
58-Point Money Saving Checklist
Save money by using my famous 58-Point Roofing Checklist. The list is fairly exhaustive and it covers more details than any other roofing service I’ve ever seen. This checklist is based on more than a dozen years of roofing insurance claims experience.
Scan through my list to be sure you are getting premium service when you replace your roof.
Make A List Of Your Damage
- Walk around your house inside and out with a notepad.
- Check your window screens for tears.
- Check your windows for cracks or damage to the plastic beading.
- Did you have any glass broken on your carpet or rugs
- Did your lawn furniture get damaged?
- Check on your garden decorations too.
- Check your spa covers, trampoline covers, tarps, etc for rips.
- If you have a wood stained fence, patio or playground equipment, look for scuff marks.
- Are the fins on your air conditioning unit damaged?
- Do you have anything outside with moving parts? Does it still function correctly?
- Are all of your outside lights still working?
- If you have a pool, did you have to clean the storm damage out?
- Did you lose any trees or have to do any trimming?
- Did your electricity go out? Did you have any food spoilage?
- Are there any water stains on your ceilings? Look closely around your light fixtures, in the corners and around your chimney.
- If you see water stains, it is a good idea to check your attic for wet insulation.
- Set aside a time when you can be home to meet.
- Look for a professional appearance and a timely appointment.
- If your contractor is not on time, only agree to reschedule if they call before your original appointment. You will save yourself a lot of heartache following this suggestion.
- Ask any questions you have about the claims process.
- Show them your storm damage notes. Ask them to double check your notes.
- Agree to have your roof replaced on the condition that your insurance company agrees to replace your entire roof. Sometimes, insurance companies will only want to repair or replace a part of the roof.
- If you have not already called your insurance agent, it is now time to report your claim.
- Report any storm damage noted on your personal notes.
- If you have noticed roofing signs or other roofing jobs going on in your neighborhood, tell your insurance agent.
- Make notes of who you are talking to, what day and what time.
- Request that the person coming out to inspect your damage, the adjuster, call you in advance to make an appointment.
- If your adjuster does not call you within 48-72 hours, call your insurance agent.
- Once your adjuster makes the appointment, call your roofing contractor to advise them of the time so they can help you with your claim.
- Dress business casual when your adjuster and roofing contractor come out to meet you.
- Greet them with a firm handshake and introduce your roofer.
- Allow the adjuster and your roofer to go over the claim together. Offer your help. If refused, you should relax inside while the claim is being written.
- Your roofer and adjuster will then inspect, measure and evaluate the storm damage to your home. This may take some time.
- Offer your adjuster a cold drink or a place to sit down when they finish. They will appreciate your kind gesture.
- Avoid being confrontational at all costs. If you do not get everything paid, you still have the right to appeal later.
- A professional contractor can help you with several levels of appeal if your claim is not paid to your satisfaction.
- You will either be given a check for your damage on the spot or your adjuster will advise you when to expect payment.
- Normally, you will not receive payment in full for your storm damage until the repairs are invoiced.
- If you have a mortgage, your check will be co-endorsed to your mortgage company.
- Call your mortgage company and find out if they have a local branch. Find out if there is any additional paperwork you will need your roofing contractor to complete.
- You may need a conditional lien release or a notarized statment for your mortgage company before the funds are released.
- Deposit your check in a special savings account.
- Under most circumstances, you should not pay any money until it is time to order materials.
- The materials payment should not be the full amount.
- You and/or your mortgage company should hold back some of the money until your roof is completed.
- Clear a space on one side of your driveway for roofing materials.
- Be sure to point out any sprinkler heads.
- Your roof should not be torn off until you have materials in your driveway.
- Take down any precious moments, knick-knack shelves, picture frames or other wall-hanging valuables before the job starts.
- Check with your local neighborhood association, city and/or county to be sure you have all of the paperwork you need before your job starts.
- There should be a roofing supervisor on-site at all times. They should be able to communicate with your comfortably.
- Make sure there are live electrical sockets outside. This allows the air compressor to power the nail guns. NOTE: Under no circumstances should you allow staples to be used on your roof.
- Be sure that the roofing crew uses a nail magnet to check for nails in your yard, driveway and flower gardens.
- Your driveway should be swept each evening and the trash should be picked up at reasonable times throughout the day.
- When your roof is complete, you should take a quick walk around your home to inspect the job.
- Your roofing contractor should come out and do a complete walk around with you to check the work and begin your warranty period.
- You should then make the final payment on your job after you have received a final lien release.
- File a copy of your roofing contract, personal notes and copies of payment information away in a safe place.
Call Your Roofing Contractor
Get Your Guarantee in Writing
Steps to Filing A Claim
Meeting The Adjuster
Handing The Finances
Roofing Your Home
Final Inspection and Payment
Get your free estimate now!