Storm Damage and Insurance Claims
Diamond Exteriors is a full service company specializing in accident and weather related damage repair and replacement. We ensure the highest quality repair or replacement following a weather related loss. We agree to accept what your insurance company will pay for the claim, including your deductible. We ask every customer for a copy of their insurance adjusters summary report and match our contract to the work specified in the insurance adjusters summary report. We also double check all measurements and scope of work to ensure all damage is fairly evaluated and reported accurately. If you choose a roofing company that charges less than “fair market price”, you may get inferior materials, less than quality labor or lack of service after the sale. The difference between “fair market price” and your lowest bid cannot be applied toward your deductible. Your insurance company keeps the savings.
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Claims Processing:
If this is your first time processing a large insurance claim we will assist in directing you through all the steps, especially with your mortgage company. There are generally several forms to be filled out and notarized if the claim exceeds $10,000, and if there is a current mortgage on the home. You will pay no out-of-pocket expense other than your insurance deductible. You may also benefit from upgrades that we sometimes offer as signing incentives. We only use materials of the highest quality.
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Hail Damage - FAQ
No two houses receive the same amount of damage in a hailstorm. Your neighbor may have sustained extensive damage, and you may have received none. The damage may not be readily apparent and may not start to leak for some time, but it can be severe.
Hail damage is an insurance loss on your homeowner's policy. Most companies will pay the entire cost, less your deductible, for replacing the roof if it is damaged.
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The claim is also considered a natural disaster and does not count against you for future rate increases.
We are willing to inspect your roof for no cost and at no obligation. You are entitled to insurance protection if you have suffered a loss, and it would be less then prudent not to know for sure. We will help you deal with your insurance company and your inspectors. Our involvement prevents you from getting stuck with a settlement that won't cover your costs.
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How do I know if I hail damage? My roof isn’t leaking.
In a hailstorm, most hail that hits your roof and house may be too small to cause any damage. However, a percentage of the hail may be large or irregularly shaped, which can cause severe damage that may not be readily apparent and may not start to leaking for some time. It’s best to have your roof inspected by a state licensed roofing contractor to determine if you need to file an insurance claim and have an insurance adjuster assess the total amount of damage incurred
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All of my roofing bids are too high. Can you help me?
You’re not alone. Almost 3 out of 10 of our clients originally had this same problem. If you’ve been getting estimate after estimate and still can’t find anyone affordable, you need to pick up the phone and call us right now (303) 517-2040.
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How long does the insurance claims process take?
The timeframe of the insurance claims process can vary. If the initial adjuster has missed damages to the home, or if there is a discrepancy and a readjustment is required, this can extend the timeframe. Typically, however, the insurance claims process is usually completed between two and four weeks of the initial claim. Please note, using Diamond Exterior’s Insurance Claims Assistance can significantly reduce the time involved in this process.
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When should I place a claim with my insurance company?
In a widespread storm environment, insurance companies can be inundated with claims from the very beginning of the storm. It is for this reason that we urge homeowners to place their claim as soon as possible.
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How long do I have to place a claim with my insurance company?
In a widespread storm environment, most insurance companies will allow up to one year to place your claim. However, some insurance companies have a statute of limitations as few as six months for placing a claim. You should always contact your insurance company and find out what your specific statutes of limitations are.
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What if I don’t put in a claim with my insurance company?
Unfortunately, if no claim of damages is placed with your insurance company and any leaking or other damages occur as a result of not having repairs done; your insurance company has the right to refuse any future claims for those damages.
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If I make an insurance claim, will my insurance premiums go up?
This is a common misconception; a homeowner making an individual claim does not affect insurance premiums in a post storm environment. If insurance premiums in the area are increased, a blanket increase will affect all insured within the storm area. In other words, if your insurance premiums are increased, they are increased weather you place a claim or not.
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Will you help me with my insurance claim?
Yes. We work with all of the major insurance companies (and several of the lesser-known ones too). In fact, many of the local insurance agents call us first when their clients need roof repair. You can trust Diamond Exteriors to work with your adjuster until you get every dollar you need to get your home back in shape.
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How do you handle payment?
We’ll give you a free written estimate. When you hire us, we’ll collect a 50% deposit to buy materials and you can pay the balance upon completion. If you have an insurance claim, your insurance company will write out a first check to cover the materials. When the job is complete, they will mail a second check to pay off the balance.
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What if my insurance check is co-endorsed to my mortgage company?
You’ll need to contact your mortgage company and ask them for instructions to get their signature. Often, you’ll need to mail the check to them unless you have a branch office in your city. Once you receive the check back, deposit it in your checking or savings account. Your bank may want to hold funds for several days until the check clears.
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Do you do more than roofs?
Absolutely! We handle all types of repair: fences, gutters, painting, windows, screens, garage doors, ventilation, insulation, chimney caps, a/c replacement, siding and more. If you need help getting your home back in shape, pick up the phone and call us for a free estimate.
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Do you accept Credit Cards?
Yes, we do accept all major credit cards. If you would like to use your credit card, just let your Fireman know in advance and they’ll bring out the wireless credit card machine for your convenience.
We also accept credit cards through PayPal - a safe and easy way to pay online. If you use eBay, you probably have a PayPal account already. If not, and you need to use a credit card, you can sign-up for a PayPal account quickly and easily. We can give you step-by-step help.
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The insurance company withheld depreciation on my roof. Will I get that money?
Yes. The money that was withheld will be paid to you when the work is completed if you have spent all of it. Unspent portions revert to the insurance company.
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Why did the insurance company withhold depreciation?
There are two reasons that the insurance companies hold some money back. The first reason is to make sure that you get the work done. Past experience has shows them that, if they give the customer all the money up front, many people end up spending it on something else. The second reason is that they wish to make sure that you pay your full deductible. The insurance companies reason that, if you are given all the money to being with, many people would naturally try to find a contractor who would perform the job for the dollar amount in hand. By holding a retainer amount, they can adjust the amount of the final payout based on the roofing contractor's invoice, thus assuring that the customer does pay the deductible and complete the work needed.
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How can I avoid paying the deductible?
Legally, you can't. Of course, a roofer in collusion with a homeowner can submit falsified invoices. However, doing so is insurance fraud. Please don't ask us to do this. It is, however, legal to offer compensation for a service provided by the homeowner such as advertising allowances and referrals. Please ask your Diamond Exteriors representative for details.
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How long will the job take?
Most roofing jobs are completed in one or two days.
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Will you clean up all the trash?
Yes, as well as is humanly possible. Re-roofing a house generates an average of six to eight tons of debris. It is not possible to get all of it directly into the dump truck, although we try to. Small pieces of debris will inevitably fall off the roof. Our crew will scour the grounds, picking up debris and will drag a large bar magnet over the lawn before quitting. We also have the grounds inspected by our superintendent before we bill you.
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Should I get several bids?
It is always prudent to get more than one bid. However, when insurance is paying for the work, the dollar amount of the bid is not very important as long as it is equal to or less than the insurance company estimate. In all such cases, you will only be paying your deductible, so your cost will be the same. Therefore, your decision should be based on going with the contractor that you feel most comfortable with and whom you feel will perform the best job.
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What if your bid is greater than the insurance company's estimate?
Let us know. We can almost always work something out with the insurance company or with you by adjusting our bid to meet their allotment.
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FAQ
We contact your adjuster, document damage with photos, and meet the adjuster at the job site. We help you understand "Insurance Lingo" so you will know that you are getting all that is entitled to you under your plan.
In a hailstorm, most hail that hits your roof & house may be too small to cause damage. However, a % of the hail may be large or irregularly shaped, which can cause severe damage that may not be readily apparent & may not leaking for some time. It’s best to have your roof inspected by a state licensed roofing contractor to determine if you need to file an insurance claim & have an insurance adjuster assess the total amount of damage incurred
