Roof replacement after hail storm

[ellipsis]

So we had a hail storm last week and have gotten a lot of companies come by and give us free estimates and encourage us to file a claim to our homeowners insurance. Our neighbors down the street were approved for a new roof, so we are seriously looking into it. The 1 company we've had come out for a free assessment mentions that they would be here with the adjustor and point our every single little thing to try and sway them to approve us. We would have to sign a contract with this company that says we would use them (if we move forward with the claim and it's approved etc etc). Is that normal? It seems a little weird to me, but I have no idea how this works.

[demandypants]

A company did that around here, and I got a slimy vibe about the whole thing. But they did a lot of work in our neighborhood.

[soozy87]

We just had a major hail storm in our area. We had our insurance adjuster come out to see if we had damage. He found extensive damage and they are covering a decent amount for us. When the insurance guy came he asked if we had a contractor coming to go over it with him. We didn't, which was fine. There have been storm chasing roofing companies come by to give us a "free inspection" but they all give off a shady vibe. The insurance guy said not to mention to the roofing companies that we were going through insurance or they will want to see the insurance amount and base their quotes on that.

[emoflamingo]

I wouldn't do that. Call your insurance company, the adjuster will either find enough damage to warrant a new roof covered by insurance or they won't. Some of these companies follow storms and they aren't around to warranty their work. Living in Tornado Alley and working in insurance has soured me to these kinds of things. Your insurance company may have a referral program that they work through as well for reliable local companies if you don't know of one.

[pixy0stix]

Never sign a contract before you know what is approved on your house.

It *does* help to have a contractor there when the appraiser is there.

[pixy0stix]

Also, all roofers are shady. Even the good ones. I say this even though DH was a roofing salesman.

[ruthie7532]

We have the same issue. At least 3 houses in our neighborhood are getting at least partial roof replacements, so we figure we'll have something similar. We had 3 roofers come by in a 20 minute span and offer to join our adjuster when they come out. None wanted us to sign contracts before going doing so. I don't think any of them were storm chasers--2 were recommended later by people in our neighborhood, and the 3rd does have a business here in town, but they all gave me a shady vibe. We're still researching what to do. DH doesn't trust the insurance adjuster, either, so it seems like we should have someone go up with them.

[stephm0188]

No, that's slimy. Don't do that.

My husband was wary of having ours replaced after a hailstorm. It was less than a year old. The adjuster said it absolutely had to be done though, the roof was trashed. They did try to short us on other things like having windows glazed instead of replaced, but they were pretty serious about making sure the roof was taken care of.

We picked a local roofer (he lived in our house as a teenager! small world) instead of one of the storm chaser companies. We had SO many come through that I disconnected the doorbell, but the reputable companies never sent people door to door. They didn't need to!

[auntie]

These people are bottom feeders.

Call a roofing company for an inspection if you think your roof has been damaged.

My BIL's roof was damaged in a hail storm because it was nearing the end of it's normal life span. He got money toward a new roof, but it was prorated.

[whitemerlot]

I would use a local company with s solid reputation. Step one is to have your adjuster come out.

Do not sign anything with a slimy storm chaser.

[AAM2012]

Sounds like he was going to point out everything even if unrelated to hail. Claiming something as being damaged by something covered by insurance (hail) when in fact it wasn't from that is insurance fraud. If you are questioning this company I wouldn't use them. Your insurance company may be able to recommend a preferred company.