Updated Friday, July 17, 2009, 9 a.m.
A couple of readers – one in the River Run neighborhood and another in the McConnell neighborhood – have written this week to call attention to an unusual push for roof repairs in Davidson, and news coverage about a spike in insurance claims for hail-damaged roofs. But another homeowner whose roof is under repair says repairs can be legitimate and the process works fairly.
A report on TV station WCNC, Channel 36, on Wednesday noted that the state Department of Insurance is investigating an unexplained “spike” in claims for hail-related roof damage. Investigators are trying to determine if there is insurance fraud in the claims.
DavidsonNews.net readers say they’ve seen a large number of fliers for roof repairs lately, as well as actual repairs.
George Berger, who lives in McConnell, said Thursday in a email, “Just yesterday, our neighborhood was barraged with hanging mailbox fliers from a contractor who’s advertising free roof repairs because of ‘recent storm damage.’”
He noted that he’s heard people talking about a flurry of roof replacements in River Run. And a River Run resident also wrote, saying, “Three neighbors on my street here in River Run have had their roofs replaced in the last few weeks. One was just finished last week and another in the last day or two. I was suspicious about this when a neighbor mentioned that he was getting a new roof completely free.”
Another resident, Nikolas Gibietis of River Run, said his roof repair is legitimate. He notes there was a big hail storm in May 2008. And he said the process for verifying claims is set up to help insurers spot fraud. (See his comment below.)
I live in River Run and my roof is planned to be replaced.
Here is the process.
1-The roofing company does a initial assessment if there is damage.
2-Then your insurance company sends out its own individual to check on the damage. This person is not associated with the roofing company.
Considering most variety of well established insurance companies and the variety, I highly doubt they would like to be taken for a large claim.
There was a very significant hail storm in May of 2008 that is suspected to have been the main cause for the damage. Also if you look many of the roofs being replaced are older homes in River Run.
As to the “free roof” claim. Each roofing company offers some money or potential money back towards your deductible. Some offer $500 right off and some offer $1000 if you refer three other customers. I see nothing wrong with this than the roofing companies being competitive.
The hail damage is hard to see even on the worst hit. You and I as laymen cannot see it unless pointed out. Again, it is up to an independent individual appointed by your insurance company to make the final call. Not the roofing company.