REPORTING THE LOSS:
Don't be shy about calling your agent and telling him/her that you may have damage, chances are the company will have adjusters in the area anyway. After you make the call make a list of all the damage you have noticed. Some of the things to inspect and to look for are dents in gutter, bent fins on the air conditioner, dented roof vents and pipe caps, dents in window wraps and facia, damaged lawn furniture and flower pots. Roof damage is about the only thing that can't be assessed from the ground. Also inspect your vehicles, any storm that causes vehicle damage usually causes roof damage. After you have made your inspection make sure you are home when the adjuster comes and call his attention to the things you have noted. If you feel more comfortable have a contractor there when the adjuster comes, chances are the whole process can be simplified, and repairs can begin sooner
INSURANCE ADJUSTERS:
The duty of an insurance adjuster is to give you an accurate accounting of everything that was damaged by the storm and a written estimate of what it will cost to put your property back to the condition it was in prior to the storm. Remember, this is only an estimate and actual costs may vary. This is easily resolved between the adjuster and the contractor. In any case you are going to be liable for the amount of your deductible and no more. The adjuster will either leave you a statement of loss or you will receive it in the mail in a few days.
STATEMENT OF LOSS AND THE CLAIM PROCESS:
The statement of loss will itemize your losses, and the estimated cost of repair for each. Most home owner policies are replacement cost and will pay that amount even though the actual cost may exceed the adjusters estimate. The loss statement will reflect the replacement cost value (RCV), the depreciation, and the actual cash value(ACV) of your loss. The (ACV) column of the statement will reflect the amount of your first check minus your deductible. The depreciation column should be called the deferred column as it reflects the money held back by the insurance company until the work is complete and an invoice is submitted by the contractor for payment. The insurance company will then issue another check to you for the exact amount between the final bill, and (ACV) portion of your first check relating to that particular repair. The (ACV) and the depreciation columns of your statement will total up to the (RCV) column of the statement. Insurance companies hold back money to track whether or not repairs are made and to insure that they pay no more than the replacement cost of the damage. Most insurance companies send catastrophe teams into storm situations, and the adjusters come from all over the country to work the claims. Although most are well trained and experienced some are not, and would not know hail damage if it hit them on the head. In any case, the adjusters are representing the insurance companies and it is the company's interest they are hired to protect. For that reason, they will tell you to get estimates to repair the damage, most will not tell you that you are spending your time shopping for the insurance company, as they have held out money as depreciation and will pay only the (RCV) for the repairs. As time goes on many home owners will realize that it is reputable companies like All-Storm that are actually looking after their interests in the repair process.
INSURED AND LICENSED CONTRACTORS:
Anyone using a contractor that is not insured to save a few bucks is foolish at best, and a way bigger gambler than they may have imagined. Roofing is a dangerous business and very hard work. One slip can result in a fall causing serious injury, and back injuries are common, which makes hiring a contractor without workman's comp very risky. Although most state laws exempt home owners from these suits, you can rest assured some attorney is going to name you personally in a law suit, forcing you to hire an attorney to get dismissed from the suit. Just as risky is the weather when it comes to roofing. Thunderstorms can blow up rapidly, and even the most experienced crews can get caught in the rain. An uncovered roof in a rain storm can cause significant damage to the interior of a home. Most contractors without general public liability insurance are not financially secure enough to repair major damage to your home. The option of not paying them does not work too well if they just don't come back. Uninsured contractors can work much cheaper than properly insured ones, so weigh the risks before hiring the uninsured to save a few bucks for the insurance company.
Licensing requirements for contractors vary greatly from city to city and from state to state. Some have no requirements at all, leaving anyone with a hammer and a ladder instantly in the roofing business, some cities require limited testing at the local level before issuing a license, and some require that contractors pass a test approved by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) or Block and Associates. All-Storm Representatives have taken and passed the roofing unlimited test administered by Block and Associates, qualifying us to roof any thing, anywhere, and we have also taken and passed residential roofing tests approved by (ICBO). Check with your local building officials and see what they require and hire accordingly. Even if the city has no requirements don't be foolish. Your home is probably your biggest investment, don't hire someone with limited knowledge and experience to repair it.
"STORMERS" VS. LOCAL CONTRACTORSWE ARE LOCAL - WITH A BROAD REACH
When a severe hail storm hits an area, most if not all local roofing companies are ill equipped to handle the increased demand on their business. Most of them will be approached by "stormers" and offered a significant amount of money to lease their name and phone number and almost all of them will reach some kind of agreement with the stormer. Home improvement contractors will instantly be in the roofing business, as well as anyone else with a phone number and yellow page listing for lease. This leaves you the consumer with no idea who you are hiring, where they are from, or what their real reputation is. The local contractor that doesn't sell out is forced to supplement his labor force from wherever he can, once again leaving you in the dark as to who is repairing your home and how qualified they really are. Use caution, choose a company that is actually what and who it says it is.
We aren't salesman. Storm Chasers have evolved, They went from being a handful of guys in pickup trucks 30 years ago to huge companies making millions a year. Back then they were roofers today the people knocking on your door are all about sales. They have been schooled and trained to say exactly the right thing and to close the deal.
They no very little if anything about actually repairing the damage to your home. They just flat don't know.
We really are different. The owner is a contractor, in addition he has taken and passed the Texas Adjusters Exam, he has the same program on his laptop that the adjuster has on his, and he is here for you to talk to whenever you want to.
We understand all the concern the public has with hiring a repair service that is new to the area. Over the years we have heard them all. Most of them when looked at honestly are unfounded. In any community where we are providing a service we have someone available to honor our warranties. All-Storm Repairs provides a 24 month warranty on all services. Because of the experience of our crews our call back rate is extremely low. Most, if not all, roofs will be weather tested while the crews are still in the area so response will be immediate if any problem exists. If a problem arises later our local representative will respond within 48 hours, and repairs will be made as soon as possible.
