STORM DAMAGE INFORMATION

1. The knowledge of the claims process and the amount of money homeowners are actually owed. Lack of knowledge about the claims process can cost homeowners $1,000's of dollars that they were actually owed.
2. 2. Modern Remodeling, Inc. understands the insurance restoration process, the programs insurance companies use to identify the appropriate price for the necessary repairs, and how it effects the outcome of your claim. This may mean a difference in $1,000's of dollars.
3. 3. Modern Remodeling, Inc. has an in-depth understanding of what is covered and what is excluded from coverage. This knowledge and experience can help keep the homeowner from having to pay anymore out-of-pocket other than their deductible.
4. 4. Modern Remodeling, Inc. understands the terms in your policy known as, "LIKE KIND and QUALITY" and how it relates to what products are used to restore your home. This can afford a wider choice in products to choose from, and/or ensure proper coverage if the material is no longer available!
5. 5. Retail only contractors usually have the "LOWEST BID" mentality, whereas Modern Remodeling, Inc. understands that insurance companies "NEVER" knowingly overpay claims. We have the experience and know how to get you all the money you are entitled to by making sure the claim is properly assessed by the insurance adjuster.
6. 6. Modern Remodeling, Inc. has a unique understanding of estimating and damage evaluation methods used by the insurance industry.
7. Knowing how to submit your claim for re-evaluation in the event you were initially denied coverage, under covered, and most importantly retrieving the recoverable depreciation amount.

Hail Damage

Your roof is one of the most vulnerable areas on your home. Certain types of storms are capable of producing hail (balls of ice) that can vary in size and cause minor to severe damage as it impacts items on the ground (i.e. cars, windows, siding and roofing on houses, even people). While hail rarely causes lost lives, it can shatter windows, leave dents and/or holes in your siding and most importantly, damage your roof. Hail under the size of .75 inches is too small to cause damage. However, in the event the hail is .75 inches or greater, damage is seen on aluminum siding and even roof shingles. A proper inspection of the impact areas should be performed by an expert who is trained in what hail damage looks like. This is very important since hail damage on roof shingles is nearly undetectable to the untrained eye.

What causes a Roof to wear out?

Many factors play a role in the deterioration of a roof. This can include, but is not limited to, ultraviolet rays from the sun, extreme changes in temperature, and improper attic ventilation. Exposure to wind, snow, ice, rain, and foot traffic on the roof, are not considered helpful elements either.

A study shows the impact of hail on asphalt shingles ...

Haag engineering is the foremost expert on determining what constitutes hail damage on roof. Many insurance companies and their adjusters go through training provided by Haag engineering. Haag engineering states that granular loss does not necessarily constitute damage to the asphalt shingles themselves. The damage to a shingle is the fracturing of the matting that the shingle is composed of. This fracture would continue to worsen through the extreme temperature changes and weather patterns, eventually leading to a leaking roof. They tried explaining that the shingles are designed to lose granules, which is partly true. However, shingles that suffer accelerated granular loss due to hail storms are decreasing in product life and performance. The following report clearly states that granular loss that exposes the asphalt mat of a shingle constitutes damage.

Effects of Hail on Asphalt Roofing Systems

Marginal damage to your roof caused by hail

Hail causes millions of dollars in property damage every year. A significant percentage of roofs that are hit by hail never get replaced. This is mainly due to the fact that many home owners don't notice missing or fractured shingles from the ground. They do not feel the need to call their insurance company or have a roofer inspect their roof. Hail damage is insidious in nature and is not always visually evident. If this is left unchecked, this could cause major problems down the road.

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. The best thing to do is have your insurance adjuster actually go up on your roof and inspect it for damage. You usually will never see actual holes or indentations. Hail will drastically shorten the life of your roof. Imagine going up on your roof and hitting it a couple thousand times with a hammer. The effect is similar.

How does my insurance company know I had large hail in my neighborhood?

Insurance companies subscribe to different hail reporting and tracking services. These services can track the hail size, exact location it fell, time of day and the date. This helps the insurance companies decide the validity of hail claims. If you had damaging hail, they already know it.

What about my siding?

You should check 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.

How do I know I'm dealing with a reputable and experienced company?

Storm Chasers will migrate to the different areas that storms damage. After the storm business dries up, they pick up and move to the next storm damaged area. It is important that you, as a consumer, have a company you can turn to if you have any warranty issues down the road, after the job is done. A great way to figure out how long the company has been in business, is by checking them out on the better business bureau websiteyou’re your area or by contacting the states board for contractors. Make sure that you ask for referrals. This can help you gauge the service that the company provides.

Who do I call first to start a claim?

You should first contact a roofing expert, preferably one who has experience in identifying hail damage (not just estimating roof replacements) and representing homeowners to their insurance company. Your second call should be to your insurance company since you don’t want to file a claim if there isn’t any damage. Once a claim has been filed (damage or no damage) it stays on your record as a filled claim. Once you have determined there is actual damage and have filled your claim, the insurance adjuster will contact you and evaluate the extent of the damage and what they will pay for. It is important that you have your contractor there to point out to the adjuster the damage that they saw to ensure a full and complete report and estimate from the insurance company. Remember, it is the insurance company that determines the scope (items that will be repaired or replaced) of work and not the contractor. It is for this reason you want to make sure the insurance company and your contractor are on the same page on what the scope is versus you being put in between the insurance company and your contractor.

What's the relationship between Modern Remodeling, Inc. and the insurance company?

We will negotiate with the insurance company if it is necessary. Most adjusters do a good job pricing what the repairs will cost in the area, some don't. If the adjuster must be contacted to discuss pricing issues, we will be happy to do that for our clients. We successfully completed thousands of storm damage repairs from local hail and wind storms and have the experience needed to work on your behalf. In almost all cases, we will accept the insurance settlement plus your deductible as full payment.

When you choose Modern Remodeling, Inc. to represent you, it is equivalent to selecting an attorney to represent you in the case of a lawsuit. This situation is unique as there is no court, only representation. You want to ensure that your insurance company is properly indentifying the scope of work needed to do the proper repairs and the correct line item pricing that corresponds to that particular repair. We have years of insurance restoration experience as we do most of the storm damage work that affect our area. We use the Haag Engineering standards on hail and wind damage, (the same standards insurance companies are supposed to use) which means that you're represented by the most knowledgeable contractor in the area.

"Test Squares" are what insurance companies use to identify a sampling of the damage that is being seen on your roof. This represents a 10 ft by 10 ft area or 100 square feet. Insurance companies are looking for 6-8 (depending on the insurance company) damaged shingles in that test square to justify totaling your roof.

When we represent you to your insurance company, we will include a roof diagram as well as an estimate utilizing the same estimating software that the insurance companies use and provide that to the adjuster at your home. It is at this point that both parties will come to an agreement regarding measurements and price. This expedites the process and helps in getting the work completed in a timely manner.

Let our staff of professionals help you every step of the way. We will begin by giving you an initial damage assessment, even meet with your insurance carrier if necessary, and complete any repairs needed to have your home looking good as new!