The rash of storms and hurricanes has left many insurance companies overloaded and some are placing the burden of estimating repair costs back on the policyholder.

We saw a lot of severe weather throughout 2017 and because of the volume of damage, we’ve noticed a shift in the way some insurance companies are working with their policyholders.  When a claim is submitted to the insurance company, an adjuster typically would visit the property and prepare an estimate for what the repair or replacement will cost.
This is starting to shift. Many homeowners have told us that their insurance company directs them to get three bids and send them in for review. In these cases, the insurance company could choose the lowest bid. The danger with this is that just because a contractor came in with the lowest bid, doesn’t mean that they are the right contractor for the job. The homeowner should ask themselves how they would know if the lowest bidder would put a quality roof on their home.  Just as important, the homeowner may not know if the full scope of damage is being addressed by the contractor or the insurance company if they do not receive a full adjuster’s report outlining the scope of the damage in detail.
The insurance company doesn’t know anything about the contractor, outside of the dollar amount on a piece of paper. It’s important that as the homeowner and policyholder to remember that you are the customer and you have the right to talk to your insurance company about which contractor to select. If you have done your due diligence, you will have gotten references and have a good feel for which contractor is going to be the right one for the job.
Don’t be afraid to ask. Insurance companies put a lot of weight into their customer satisfaction (C-SAT) scores. Resolving claims quickly and easily is important to them so they are likely going to be willing to work with you to find the right contractor to repair your roof.
Always choose a contractor that is licensed through the Roofing Contractor’s Association of Texas, and is certified by the manufacturers to install their specific products. Texas Traditions Roofing meets these criteria and we are happy to provide a free inspection and evaluation for your roof repair.  Request your today.

You can’t control the weather, but you can take measures to help protect your home when storms are in the forecast.

Texas sees its fair share of strong storms, hail and tornadoes that cause a lot of damage to homes. During high winds and hail, your home’s roof is put to the test. Here are four easy ways you can help it perform:

1 – Clean gutters and downspouts. As the roof on your home sheds water, the water needs to flow into the gutters, travel down the spouting and exit away from your home. If your gutters and spouting are clogged, the rainwater can back up and potentially creep into your home along the eaves or the foundation – depending on where the clog is located.
2- Trim your trees. If you have trees with branches that are close to the roof, strong winds could cause the branches to rub against the roof, loosening shingles or wearing away protective granules. If limbs are dead or dying, a strong wind could cause them to snap off and turn into projectiles. This is dangerous for not only your home but also any nearby neighbors’ homes.
3 – Secure or put away patio furniture and umbrellas. Just as a broken tree limb could turn into a deadly projectile during a storm, so could a piece of lawn furniture or patio umbrella. When a storm is forecast, it’s a good idea to just bring those items inside.  Look around your yard as well and secure anything that might be blown away in high winds.
4 – Look for trouble before storms hit. Look at your roof from the ground. Do you notice any loose or curling shingles? They will be the first to suffer wind damage during a storm event. These issues need to be assessed and repaired by a professional, licensed roofing contractor.
Texas Traditions Roofing is happy to help you fix any issues that you are having with your roof. We are certified by the major roofing manufacturers and licensed by the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas.  Contact us today to schedule a free inspection.