When dealing with wind, hail or natural disaster emergencies, property owners face a unique set of challenges.
You're faced with critical recovery decisions required to mitigate damages and navigate a complicated insurance claims process that can be filled with ambiguous language, complicated calculations, and endless lists of documents which makes the process overwhelming and time-consuming.
Most people don't realize how complicated the insurance claim process can be, particularly with damages that are considered hidden or insidious or aren't readily recognizable by untrained professionals.
The burden is placed on the property owner to recognize and "prove" the claim in order to be reimbursed for a loss. When a disaster occurs, the insurance company has adjusters, engineers, claims managers, and lawyers representing insurance company interests.
Dealing effectively with insurance claims presents a challenge even experienced insurance claims negotiators can find challenging. As claims get more complex, the energy and time required to properly document and value every detail of the loss increases. Most property owners whom attempt to “handle” their own claim are unable to recover and collect full and fair compensation for their losses.
Property owners facing storm-related crises involving property damage turn to Gold Seal Roofing, LLC for assistance in rebuilding homes and stabilizing their lives.
Our experienced expert staff will:
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Gold Seal Roofing, LLC Specialists . . .
Fast Hail and Wind Damage Inspections and Complete Restorations.
If you have been in hailstorm the most obvious damage you see is to cars. You see the damage immediately after the last ice nugget has fallen.
You're horrified because the once smooth surface is now riddled with dents and pits.
Most people do not ever consider that their home was also damaged..
Your roof is as susceptible to hail damage as the hood of your car. When hail hits your roof it creates a bruise. This bruise may have even cracked the fiberglass membrane and can allow water to seep into your home. It may not leak the day after the storm but over time it will happen.
Composition Shingles
It's difficult to determine whether a shingled roof needs to be replaced after a hail storm because the damage is not readily evident.
Our wind and hail damage specialists are specially trained and experienced to determine the damage and recommend repairs. We check the entire roof structure and gutter system.
Granules aren't just for appearance purposes, they're there to protect the asphalt based roof product (the shingle). It doesn't take much of a hail storm to dislodge a bunch of granules, thereby exposing the asphalt and shortening the service life of your roof.
During our inspection, If we uncover direct physical damage to the shingles or underlying structure, replacing the entire roof should be considered.
If enough granules were knocked loose, the sun will hit the exposed asphalt further damaging the roof and underlayment.
The exposed asphalt will deteriorate and more granules will come loose.
In a few months and after a few rains, the damage will be readily evident.
Many times hail storms produce hard to see damage that only a trained roofing specialist can uncover.
Common Questions and Answers
(Click links to go back and forth on the page)
Questions to ask yourselfIs a "Roofer" a "Trained Hail Damage Inspector?
Make a claim now
The Inspection
How The Insurance Companies Pay On Claims
Can I keep the excess money from the settlement?
Do I need more estimates?
Will my Insurance company give me more money if I spend more than they committed?
How much will my insurance company pay?
How much will I have to pay?
What should I look for when considering a contractor?
HAIL DAMAGE?
Common Questions and Answers:
When I look at my roof, I don't see any hail damage. What's all the fuss about?
Hail Damage can't be seen very easily most of the time. You usually will never see actual holes or indentations. Hail will drastically shorten the life of your roof.
If you have damaged siding, vehicles, or have noticed neighbors getting work done, you can be 99% sure that you will need a new roof and may have other damages also.
Hail Damage
Hail can damage your roof without any visible signs from the ground. Hail normally has to be the size of a golf ball before it will break through your roof or cause bruising. Sometimes these damages do not show up quickly or are easily overlooked. The integrity of the shingle may be damaged, do not take a chance on it. If hail is driven by high winds or if it lasts longer than a few minutes, even small-sized hail can cause your roof to suffer severe damage and the loss of their protective granules, which will GREATLY reduce the life of your roof. Loss of granule layers on the shingle will cause the organic based center of the shingles to be exposed to the suns UV rays. This will cause SERIOUS deterioration of the shingle in a short period of time. Have it inspected, just to be safe.
Ask Yourself These Questions
- What is replacement cost value?
- What is actual cash value?
- What is recoverable depreciation?
- What is non-recoverable depreciation?
- Will my insurance adjuster be a cat-adjuster or an in-home adjuster?
- What difference will a cat-adjuster make for me?
- What is full scope of insurance proceeds?
- Why is it a felony to profit from an insurance loss?
- Will the adjuster give me enough money for a quality restoration?
- What can I do if my adjuster didn't or doesn't give me enough money for a quality job?
- If all these questions are hard to understand or answer, then let a professional help you.
- We can answer all of your questions and help you get everything you deserve.
Hail and high winds can cause serious damage to your roof and exterior of your home. An evaluation by a ?TRAINED HAIL DAMAGE INSPECTOR? (not roofer) can verify the extent of your damages and outline the means by which to get them repaired. Even experienced roofers cannot see these damages.
Most roofers do not know how to inspect for hail damage.
A trained inspector has taken the same extensive training courses that your adjuster has taken (the adjuster MUST take these courses to be certified).
What About My Siding?
Most people can inspect their own siding by checking your exterior walls closely, preferably when the sun is a little lower in the sky (morning or evening). This will make it easier to see the denting. Old aluminum siding will show the damage more than wood or vinyl unless the vinyl actually has holes in it.
Make a Claim Now
Does my insurance company know if I had large hail in my neighborhood?
Most insurance companies subscribe to different tracking and hail reporting services.
These services can track the hail size and the exact location it fell. If you had damaging hail, they already know it.
If you had hail in your neighborhood, CALL US! We want to be present when the adjuster comes out to do his/her inspection.
It is your legal right to have someone represent you during the inspection. Your adjuster cannot enter your property without your permission. Insist on a FIRM appointment so that we can schedule the meeting also. If we are not, or was not present during the inspection, you probably will not, or did not receive a full claim. Let US work for you in getting what you deserve. You only have a limited time to make a claim!
The Inspection
The adjuster will look at your property during working hours, so you probably won't be home when the adjustment is taking place, which means you have no input in the matter. We ask that you allow us to represent you during the inspection. The adjuster will inspect your roof and exterior of your home for visible signs of damage only. For the roof, he will measure out a "Test Square" (10' x 10') on different sections of your roof. If he can find a sufficient amount of bruises or breaks for each "Test Square", the insurance company will buy you a new roof.
My Adjuster Said "No Damage"
It is possible that your roof was the only one on the block that wasn't damaged. However, you are entitled to a re-inspection by another adjuster within the same firm. So if you?re not completely satisfied with the results of your claim, don't settle. Ask for another inspection. Let us work for you in getting what you deserve.
Discrepancies
Most occur when the adjuster has not assessed the same amount of damage as the contractor. Whether it is for the roof, gutters, siding or other exterior or interior damage. So if you have interior damage or other hard to see damages that can be easily overlooked, chances are the adjuster will probably miss it. This is another reason that you need us to represent you during the inspection.
You are entitled to have your contractor of choice represent you during the adjustment process to expedite the settlement of your claim. In order to save you time off from work and the headache of the entire process, we ask that you allow us to represent you during the inspection process. We will work with your adjuster to determine the extent of the damage, clarify pricing and offer a repair price agreeable to the insurance company. All you pay in most cases is your deductible. Let us work for you in getting what you deserve.
How the Insurance Comapnies Pay On Claims
In most cases, about a week after the adjuster has estimated your property, you will receive your first check. This is most commonly called the ACV. (Actual Cost Value)
This check should represent the actual cost to repair or replace the damaged property, MINUS DEPRECIATION. This is commonly called the RCV (Replacement Cost Value).
The age and condition of the property is taken into account when calculating this depreciation. When work is completed, the insurance company will issue a check for the RECOVERABLE depreciation amount only if the total expenses are equal to, or greater than the total settlement.
There is a way to receive the total settlement payment WITHOUT depreciation. Let us work for you in getting what you deserve.
Many people never get the depreciation amount back because they do not understand the process or the contractor they chose didn't understand the proper procedures.
When This Happens, YOU Pay the Difference.
This Can Cost Thousands Of Dollars.
We can offer a COMPLETE repair package (at the discretion of your insurance company) without you having to do anything. We can handle all of the red tape and obtain permits etc. All work will be performed in accordance with all state and local laws.
Let us help you and make things easier.
Is The Excess Money Mine?
Absolutely not! You are not allowed to profit from a loss. Insurance fraud is a class 3 felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $5000.00!
Do I Need To Get Two Or More Estimates?
No! Your insurance company has created their own price list and will only pay actual costs for repairs (according to their price list), regardless of what prices you may get.
Think of it this way, what reward will the insurance company give you for finding the best price for them? Will they lower your premium? Your insurance company will pay a reputable contractor a "fair market price".
Will My Insurance Company Give Me More Money If I Spend More Than They Gave Me?
Maybe! Your insurance company will only pay supplements on items that you can prove they overlooked.
Here are some examples of what you may pay . . .
Example 1
The Insurance Company Allowed YOU $5000.00 to Replace Your Roof. Your Deductible Is $500.00 So You Receive a Check For $4500.00.
If you choose a contractor to replace your roof for $4500.00 you are legally required to pay the insurance company back the $500.00 you did not use.
Example 2
The Insurance Company Allowed You $5000.00 to Replace Your Roof. Your Deductible Is $500.00 And Your Total Withheld Recoverable Depreciation Is $2000.00 You will Receive $2500.00.
If You Choose a Contractor to Replace Your Roof For $3500.00, You Will Only Receive $500.00 Of The Recoverable Depreciation Because . . .
"The amount of recoverable depreciation will be based on the lesser of the adjusters estimate or the actual costs incurred on damaged areas only"
or...
"If you have replacement cost coverage, you may be entitled to the withheld recoverable depreciation after repairs have been completed, provided the cost of the repairs exceed the amount of your deductible and your initial claim payment".
All you pay is the deductible amount regardless of the price so why not get the best?
You are only saving the insurance company money and costing yourself quality when you get several estimates.
By letting a professional negotiate with the insurance company, we can make sure that you get everything necessary for a quality restoration.
Besides, what reward will the insurance company give you for finding the best price for them? Will they lower your premium?
Your insurance company will pay a reputable contractor a "fair market price".
You should concentrate on choosing a reputable contractor who will use superior quality materials rather than concentrating on price.
All you are required to pay is your deductible in most cases so it is impossible for you to overpay.
Which Contractor Should I Hire?
Only choose a contractor who is willing to help you with the claims process. The cost for repairs for your home is then determined by the insurance company and the contractor.
This keeps you from over-paying!
We have extensive experience in working with insurance companies to replace your Hail Damaged roof, siding, windows, awnings and more.
- Beware of contractors that will not pull a permit!
- Beware of contractors that are giving low prices!
- Beware of contractors that cannot produce an insurance certificate!
- Beware of contractors that ask you to sign a document that has a price more than what your insurance company has paid you . . .
Unless . . .
your insurance company has agreed to pay the total price,
Or . . .
you and your contractor have agreed on a fair price
After
negotiations with the insurance company have failed.
Your insurance carrier has trained professionals representing them...
Do You?
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