New roof time

[ReaPeR105]

Found a roof leak the other day, over my front porch. Patched it I thought, didn't get it stopped tho. Guess I patched the wrong popped nail. My roofing experience is almost zero, replaced a couple of shingles after Hurricane Ike, that's it.
Fast forward to today a nice young guy knocks on my door, roofer. He has a job around the corner and was checking in the area. I know, red flag all over.
I let him on my roof, hoped he could find that leak that I didn't.
Of course, hail and wind damage found, but looking around, yeh, there really is some. More wind damage and loose shingles than I expected. We talked as he was on the roof showing me stuff. Pics and my look see up there confirm he appears to be truthful about that.
I checked out the company pretty well, out of Terrell and Tyler area. The sales guy lives in my county tho and works this area. The company appears to be legit and has great reviews.

Never filed a claim before, what's the downside of hiring them if they are legit and do good work? I'm out my deductible, no doubt there. The guy said if I had asked for them to absorb some of it he would have to leave. Said that's a big won't do it. No bid, no cost estimate other than a very rough estimate of cost, he didn't measure and said his guesstimate was based on a couple of past jobs similar size house.
If I like the company, insurance pays their part, I pay mine. So why go get a bunch of estimates and deal with other companies? I only pay my deductible either way, right?
I feel like I'm missing something in my thinking. I will get another guy out, but I'm trying to see how they could hose me if the work is good and I'm only out my deductible whichever company I choose.
Only roofing scams I dealt with at work were contractors taking money and not doing the job. Pretty sure I can avoid that.

Advice from someone who has been thru this is welcome.
Edit to add, the guy gave me a few addresses in Angelina County that they have done so I will go check out there work.

[aTm8]

What’s your deductible?

ACV or full replacement policy?

How old is roof?

3-tab or architectural shingles?

What would they be replacing present roof with (underlayment/shingle type/are you in a wind zone/etc.)?

Also, insurance is going to deny claim. Are you ready to take it to appraisal?

Is this 2 chucks n a truck? (Sounds like it. They have an app that will tell them how many squares roof is. General quote is going to include a few sheets of decking. That part of running quote takes a matter of minutes).

Read the contract they want you to sign very carefully. It will more than likely say all insurance proceed to go to roofing company.

Then, legally you are supposed to pay said deductible.

Don’t know or claim to know everything about roofing but we do make a decent amount yearly from roofing referrals.

[Duckologist]

If you decide to let your roofer "handle everything with your insurance company" Just know dey gone tell your insurance company dey had to tear off 2 layers and charge as such. I know you don't got 2 layers but your roofer gone tell da insurance company dey had to tear off 2 layers. So be mindful of dat

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[ReaPeR105]

He said they use Atlas Pinnacle shingles. 50 year shingle I think he said. Of course they don’t last that long but he said they are very good. Google says they are good.
Replacement cost insurance. Not two chucks in a truck. Only been in business 3 years. Over 220 five star reviews on Google. Other sites have good reviews but most reference Google reviews. Of course AI can fake those I’m told. But the dates of reviews looks about right. BBB has nothing on them. They are in their Chamber of Commerce.
I pay my 2% deductible which is sizable and they get the rest. I have no problem with that. I don’t care to participate in any insurance fraud.
Guy seemed all but certain insurance will pay.

And some sites say call your agent before filing a claim. Don’t trust insurance much tho. Should I?

[Duckologist]

He said they use Atlas Pinnacle shingles. 50 year shingle I think he said. Of course they don’t last that long but he said they are very good. Google says they are good.
Replacement cost insurance. Not two chucks in a truck. Only been in business 3 years. Over 220 five star reviews on Google. Other sites have good reviews but most reference Google reviews. Of course AI can fake those I’m told. But the dates of reviews looks about right. BBB has nothing on them. They are in their Chamber of Commerce.
I pay my 2% deductible which is sizable and they get the rest. I have no problem with that. I don’t care to participate in any insurance fraud.
Guy seemed all but certain insurance will pay.

And some sites say call your agent before filing a claim. Don’t trust insurance much tho. Should I?

The product is not the main concern, you will have a warranty. I don know bout calling your agent my circumstance was a hurricane so I had my wife initiate a claim since she was in civilization and I was in a war zone

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[Greenheadless]

If it were me, I would get another company or two (of my choosing) to look at the roof and have them all provide a detailed findings and estimate.

That mention of ‘absorb the cost’ is getting into illegal practices with the new Texas laws passed (at least my understand of them). Not an expert, but something just doesn’t seem right here.

Also, don’t sign anything until they give you a detailed estimate. After everything in hand, review with your insurance agent.

[Native Arkie]

Best way is file a claim with insurance yourself. They will send out a guy or inspection. If he determines your roof needs replaced, he will cut you a check on the spot for the cost of replacement, minus your deductible. You sign the check over to the roofer of your choice. If they run into further (legit) costs, file an addendum claim with insurance.

That's the way my last 2 roof claims with Allstate went.

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[aTm8]

He said they use Atlas Pinnacle shingles. 50 year shingle I think he said. Of course they don’t last that long but he said they are very good. Google says they are good.
Replacement cost insurance. Not two chucks in a truck. Only been in business 3 years. Over 220 five star reviews on Google. Other sites have good reviews but most reference Google reviews. Of course AI can fake those I’m told. But the dates of reviews looks about right. BBB has nothing on them. They are in their Chamber of Commerce.
I pay my 2% deductible which is sizable and they get the rest. I have no problem with that. I don’t care to participate in any insurance fraud.
Guy seemed all but certain insurance will pay.

And some sites say call your agent before filing a claim. Don’t trust insurance much tho. Should I?

Greenheadless had a very good response.

You say “they get the rest”…this is where they may be trying to “manage” the claim. You need a roof, but is the claim being made for a fence/pool deck/gutters/garage door/exterior paint/etc. when you get the second check from insurance and it is $25k would you ask a question then?

Not saying they are trying to pull one over, and as a younger company they may go above and beyond to earn your business. End of day roofing is a snake pit industry.

[Patos el supremo]

Make put gutters on or replace the gutters you have.

Got some respect for you want to do things honest and legit.

[2flyfish4]

Yep, get your insurance to send out an appraiser to review the damage and they will write up a very detailed estimate. Which normally includes all hail and storm damage repairs outside of just the roof. Examples are dings and dents to ac units, vents, fencing, window frames, window screens, facia boards and so fourth. Most roofers don't fix this stuff, they just pocket that money. If they pocket enough of that "other stuff" money that's how they get around waiving your deductible.

The last thing you want them doing is pocketing all that money and you paying your deductible in full.

I would get the detailed estimate and make sure they are only getting paid for the repairs they complete.

You as a home owner can pocket the difference as your property sustained the damage. You just can't go double dipping and try to claim the same unrepairable damage on another hail claim in the future.

[burns_312]

File a claim with your insurance company. Don’t sign jack shit with any roofing company until after that process has run its course. Send me a message if you care to. I’ve been on the sales side of insurance since the day I graduated college. Yeah I’m a crooked, worthless, MFer, yada, yada, yada.

But I’m more than willing to help the best I can if you want.


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[Dog N Decoys]

^^Exactly what Burns said. ^^

I’ve been in the insurance Claims business for 35+ yrs. If you need a roof, use a local roofer, not some outfit based in another city with a local snake oil salesman. 90% of the door knocker roofers are a bunch of tote-da-note used car salesmen types. I deal with those jackwagons weekly. Deal directly with your insurance carrier and if they accept the claim, then shop the local roofers to see what kind of upgrades they are willing to throw in. There is a HUGE markup on roofing, that’s why you see so many “Roofing Companies” now. But in the long run, it is best to get the best quality materials and installation crew. Check with your agent and ask who they think is best and ask your friends and neighbors you trust. If you know any local quality builders, ask them too.

[Duckologist]

Dey got a roofer on the other site (TBH) dat gets lots of accolades. I can't remember who it is

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[El Gato]

File a claim with your insurance company. Don’t sign jack shit with any roofing company until after that process has run its course. Send me a message if you care to. I’ve been on the sales side of insurance since the day I graduated college. Yeah I’m a crooked, worthless, MFer, yada, yada, yada.

But I’m more than willing to help the best I can if you want.


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But your not a lawyer so you have that going for you

[Spoonbilla]

I don't trust anyone that says they can do it for whatever the insurance pays. The insurance will measure the roof and give you a number that your roof is worth. In my experience they always lowball. Any legitimate roofer should be able to give you a hard quote of what they gonna do the roof for.