Hurricane Season with NARI NYC/LI & Marcor Construction & More, Inc.

MELVILLE, NY, June 28, 2012 (Press-News.org) Shingles have a sealing strip between them. Many times, wind will lift the shingles and break the sealing strip during a storm. After the storm, the shingles simply lay back down in place - looking fine. If that sealing strip is compromised, then your roof likely needs to be replaced. This sealing strip is critically important to the integrity, functionality and longevity of your roof. If the sealing strip is compromised, your roof will likely start leaking within a year or two of the wind event. That is why you need to have it examined immediately, before it starts leaking.

Likewise, tile roofs suffer from a similar plight. The tiles themselves on a tile roof system are simply decorative. The water barrier for a tile roof is the underlayment; the paper below the tiles. In a strong wind, the wind can "chatter" the tiles on your roof. This means wind gets up under the tiles and repeatedly "jiggles" them up and down during a storm. After the storm, the tiles look fine. However, during the storm the chattering tiles have also "jiggled" the nails securing them to the underlayment, causing the holes around the nails to open up wider than they should. This allows water to seep in around the nail holes throughout the roof. As with shingles, many times, the water damage does not begin to show up for a year or two from the wind event.

Hail Damage

Hail can damage your roof without any visible signs from the ground. Hail normally has to be the size of a golf ball before it will break through your roof or cause bruising. Sometimes these damages do not show up quickly or are easily overlooked. The integrity of the shingle may be damaged, do not take a chance on it. If hail is driven by high winds, or if it lasts longer than a few minutes, even small-sized hail can cause your roof to suffer severe damage and the loss of their protective granules, which will greatly reduce the life of your roof. Loss of granule layers on the shingle can cause the glass-based center of the shingles to be exposed to the suns UV rays. This will cause serious deterioration of the shingle in a short period of time. Have it inspected, just to be safe.

Hail and high winds can cause serious damage to your roof and exterior of your home. An evaluation by a Marcor Construction trained wind/hail damage inspector can verify the extent of your damages and outline the means by which they should be repaired or replaced.

How do I know if I have damage?

Hail damage cannot be seen very easily most of the time. You usually will never see actual holes or indentations. Hail will drastically shorten the life of your roof. If you have damaged siding, vehicles, or have noticed neighbors getting work done, you can be 99% sure that you will need a new roof and may have other damages also.

What about my siding?

Most people can inspect their own siding by checking 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.

Making a Claim

Does my insurance company know if I have had large hail/wind in my neighborhood?

Most insurance companies subscribe to different tracking and hail/wind reporting services. These services can track the hail size and the exact location it fell in. If you had damaging hail, they already know it.

If you had hail in your neighborhood, call Marcor Construction & Roof Services. We want to be present when the adjuster comes out to do his/her inspection.

It is your legal right to have someone represent you during the inspection. Your adjuster cannot enter your property without your permission. Insist on a FIRM appointment so that we can schedule the meeting also. If we are not present during the inspection, you probably will not receive a full claim.

The Inspection

The adjuster will look at your property during working hours, so you probably will not be home when the adjustment is taking place, which means you have no input in the matter. We ask that you allow us to represent you during the inspection. The adjuster will inspect your roof and exterior of your home for visible signs of damage only. For the roof, he will measure out a "Test Square" (10' x 10') on different sections of your roof. If he can find a sufficient amount of bruises or breaks for each "Test Square", the insurance company will pay you for a new roof.

My adjuster said "No Damage":

It is possible that your roof was the only one on the block that wasn't damaged. However, you are entitled to a re-inspection by another adjuster within the same firm. So if you're not completely satisfied with the results of your claim, don't settle. Ask for another inspection. Let us work for you in getting what you deserve.

Discrepancies:

Most discrepancies occur when the adjuster has not assessed the same amount of damage as the contractor, whether it is for the roof, gutters, siding or other exterior or interior damage. So if you have interior damage or other hard to see damages that can be easily overlooked, chances are the adjuster will probably miss it. This is another reason that you need Marcor to represent you during the inspection.

You are entitled to have your contractor of choice represent you during the adjustment process to expedite the settlement of your claim. In order to save you time off from work and the headache of the entire process, we ask that you allow us to represent you during the inspection process. We will work with your adjuster to determine the extent of the damage, clarify pricing and offer a repair price agreeable to the insurance company. All you pay in most cases is your deductible. Let us work for you in getting a fair amicable settlement.

How insurance companies pay on claims:

In most cases, about a week after the adjuster has estimated your property, you will receive your first check. This is most commonly called the Actual Cost Value (ACV). This check should represent the actual cost to repair or replace the damaged property, minus depreciation. This is commonly called the Replacement Cost Value (RCV). The age and condition of the property is taken into account when calculating the depreciation. When work is completed, the insurance company will issue a check for the recoverable depreciation amount only if the total expenses are equal to, or greater than the total settlement.

Many homeowners never get the depreciation amount back because they do not understand the process or the contractor they chose didn't understand the proper procedures. When this happens, you have to pay the difference. This could cost your possibly thousands of dollars.

We can offer a complete repair package (at the discretion of your insurance company) without you having to do anything. We can handle all of the obstacles and obtain permits, etc. All work will be performed in accordance with all state and local laws. Let us help you and make things easier.

Is the Excess Money Mine?

No. You are not allowed to profit from a loss. Insurance fraud is a class 3 felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $5,000.00.

Do I need to get two or more estimates?

No. Your insurance company has created their own price list and will only pay actual costs for repairs (according to their price list), regardless of what prices you may get. Think of it this way, what reward will the insurance company give you for finding the lowest price for them? Will they lower your premium? Your insurance company will pay a reputable contractor a "fair market price." Marcor Construction follows the same system that all of the insurance companies use so our estimates are equivalent to the estimate of the insurance company at a "fair market price."

Will my insurance company give me more money if I spend more than they have given me?

Possibly, your insurance company will only pay supplements on items that you can prove they have overlooked.

Here are some examples of what you may pay:

The insurance company has allowed you $5,000.00 to replace your roof. Your deductible is $500.00 so you get a check for $4,500.00. If you choose a contractor to replace your roof for $4,500.00 you are legally required to pay the insurance company back the $500.00 you did not use.

The insurance company has allowed you $5,000.00 to replace your roof. Your deductible is $500.00 and your total withheld recoverable depreciation is $2,000.00 so you will get a check for $2,500.00. If you choose a contractor to replace your roof for $3,500.00, you will only receive $500.00 of the recoverable depreciation because "the amount of recoverable depreciation will be based on the lesser of the adjusters estimate or the actual costs incurred on damaged areas only", or "if you have replacement cost coverage, you may be entitled to the withheld recoverable depreciation after repairs have been completed, provided the cost of the repairs exceed the amount of your deductible and your initial claim payment."

Cost of roof is $5,000.00 you pay deductible (first $500.00) your insurance company pays $4,500.00.

Cost of roof is $6,000.00 you pay deductible (first $500.00) your insurance company pays $5,500.00.

Cost of roof is $7000.00, you pay deductible (first $500.00). Your insurance company pays $6500.00.

All you pay is the deductible amount regardless of the price.

You are only saving the insurance company money and costing yourself quality when you get several estimates. By letting a professional negotiate with the insurance company, we can make sure that you get everything necessary for a quality restoration. Besides, what reward will the insurance company give you for finding the lowest price for them? Will they lower your premium? Your insurance company will pay a reputable contractor a "fair market price based upon the already established pricing for your area:. You should concentrate on choosing a reputable contractor who will use superior quality materials rather than concentrating on price. All you are required to pay is your deductible in most cases so it is impossible for you to overpay.

How do I choose a contractor?

Only choose a contractor willing to help with the claims process. The cost for repairs for your home is then determined from the insurance company and the contractor. This keeps you from over-paying.

Marcor Construction has successfully completed hundreds of storm damage repairs and we have the experience needed to work on your behalf. We have extensive experience in working with insurance companies to replace your Storm Damaged roof, siding, windows, awnings and more.

Beware of contractors that give low ball prices and then pull the bait and switch.

Beware of contractors that cannot produce an insurance certificate.

Beware of contractors that ask you to sign a document that has a price listed that differs from what your insurance company has paid you.

Your insurance carrier has trained professionals representing them! Do you? Contact Marcor Construction today for a free evaluation or a time to meet your adjuster!

New York City/Long Island NARI is part of 60 chapters that comprise the nation's only not-for-profit trade association dedicated to the advancement of the remodeling industry. NARI is committed to enhancing the professionalism of contractors, manufacturers and remodeling industry-related businesses. For more information about NYC/LI NARI please call 631-673-NARI (6274) or visit our website at http://www.nari-ny.org.