What the Hail Happened?

[TheGrey]

You can pick whichever contractor you want at any time. It is not necessary that the adjuster and contractor be there together though. Keep in mind that the "contractor" is only a sales person. They like to be there to point out anything and everything to the adjuster. The adjuster doesn't need the contractor to be there to write the claim, but it doesn't hurt to have them there together.


It depends, that is possible. After the last few years of fires, the department of insurance required all insurance companies to make changes to policies that extended certain coverage. Since insurance companies were forced to re-write their policies anyway, they took the time to change some things like material matching and creating roof payment schedules. Basically, the insurance company may no longer have to match a shingle that isn't made anymore, or match siding when the exact color can't be found. Roofers are slow to this info though. Roofers specifically target certain makes and colors of roofs, and go knock on the door and say there is damage, whether there is or not, because in the past if the product couldn't be matched, the insurance policy would pay for an entire new roof. Since the change, roofers have miraculously been able to find materials that "aren't made anymore." Just ask your company about that when you make the claim.



For fences, they usually just pressure wash the fence so it is all fresh wood, and it can age evenly. Unless you have huge dents in the wood, any divots will all work themselves out in probably one season due to moisture and temperature change. You can do absolutely nothing and your fence will likely return to normal by next year, but hail splatter is technically damage, so they'll at least pressure wash it. I assume it's not painted since you said it is cedar. The A/C unit can be combed out and that should be put into the estimate as well.

Finally, more than likely your insurance company will have this storm as a CAT (catastrophe), and a CAT adjuster will show up to do the claim. That makes no difference to you, but you may hear the term "CAT" thrown around. Post up any questions you have.

You're my new hero. I was tying myself in knots with worry- our insurance agent completely SUCKS and won't answer questions at all. I was starting to worry that there was a conspiracy or something. THANK YOU.

[Dave_L]

our insurance agent completely SUCKS and won't answer questions at all.

So why is he still your agent?

[Irving]

So why is he still your agent?

Valid question. Find another one and transfer to someone you like.

[TheGrey]

Valid question. Find another one and transfer to someone you like.

I called another agent when we moved to our home, and requested to transfer over to her because otherwise it's a 30-40 minute drive. She was also with State Farm. She told me in a scandalized, derisive tone that "that simply wasn't done." I admit, I believed her.

[Irving]

Nah, some agents are assholes about it, but you can switch. You're the customer, do what you want.

[TheGrey]

Nah, some agents are assholes about it, but you can switch. You're the customer, do what you want.

Thank god. I admit, after that, I was about to switch companies altogether. I can't recall why I didn't, but I'm sure it was a good reason at the time.

[Ah Pook]

I have a really good agent. Let me know and I'll PM his info to you.

Personally, I would avoid State Farm like the plague.

[Big E3]

I got a new settlement offer on my car with the "salvage" issue. After the adjuster talked to her supervisor she offered me amount approximately 240% more than the previous one. This is a more realistic number so I believe the issue has been resolved.

The only question I have now is what is the procedure to deposit the roof repair check they sent to me, it has my name on it along with the mortgage lenders name. The roof check two years ago was in my name only.

[Irving]

You need to contact your mortgage company and they will give you instructions. If they have local offices, you can just swing by and they'll sign it over to you. If not, you may have to mail it in.

[Dave_L]

I called another agent when we moved to our home, and requested to transfer over to her because otherwise it's a 30-40 minute drive. She was also with State Farm. She told me in a scandalized, derisive tone that "that simply wasn't done." I admit, I believed her.

Generally, the original agent retains ownership of the policy. The new agent just does all the work. Thats why she probably told you no.