When Should Contractors Encourage Appraisal?
As a roofing contractor, you’ll likely encounter insurance restoration projects frequently. These projects can vary in complexity, as each insurance company has its own unique approach to evaluating the costs of repairs.
Here are some challenges contractors may face:
- Some carriers may exclude important components like hip and ridge shingles, or drip edges, from the claim.
- Insurance companies sometimes use unrealistic waste percentages or refuse to approve contractor overhead and profit.
- Occasionally, you may encounter adjusters who are uncooperative or lack sufficient knowledge when reviewing supplements.
- Starter shingles may be excluded, claiming they fall under waste factors.
- Some insurers may adjust specific line items or have pre-negotiated deals with suppliers that can impact pricing.
As a contractor, you have a few options to deal with these issues:
- You could request that your customer covers additional costs beyond their deductible for the project.
- You may choose to supplement the job as much as possible, while avoiding potential legal issues with public adjusting violations.
- Another option is to walk away from the job and let someone else handle it if the situation becomes too complicated.
Or you can encourage your customer to:
- Suggest your customer consult with an attorney if the claim involves a high value, complexity, or if coverage was denied.
- Recommend requesting an appraisal as a swift and cost-effective option, with most resolutions taking between 60-90 days depending on the insurance company’s appraiser workload.
- Advise your client to hire a public adjuster if additional claims are needed or if the coverage was denied, as it may be the right path forward for their case.
Next Steps
Once you’ve discussed the appraisal option with your client and they decide to proceed, click the “Get Started” button to begin and follow the provided instructions.
