As the leading resource for roofing contractors nationwide, we’ve seen it all when it comes to missing things on insurance adjuster’s roofing estimates, having worked with hundreds of storm restoration contractors throughout the country. Documenting the claim with pictures is one of the simplest ways to guarantee that authentic supplements are covered. We strongly advise you to check out Pas Claims if you don’t already have a picture documenting tool or procedure in place.
PAS Claims can assist you if you are currently working on claims and need to augment insurance claim roof estimates. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most common missing items on roof insurance claims to help you with all future claims. Make sure you document each of them to guarantee supplements are paid!
Starter shingles are typically overlooked by insurance adjusters. The cost of manufacturing and installing starter shingles is commonly believed by insurance carriers to be included in the waste allowance for field shingles, which is not at all reasonable. While it is feasible to manufacture starter shingles from scraps of field shingles, it is not always desired, particularly with architectural/laminate shingles. Furthermore, the labor cost to install starter shingles and field shingles is not the same: Xactimate has two distinct rates for these two very different operations. To summarize, starter shingles are a real product that can be purchased off the shelf, and they were most likely installed on the roof you are now ripping off. If factory-made starter shingles are available but not included in the adjuster’s estimate, you should use them to augment insurance claim roofing estimates. Be sure to include a picture of them and include it with your supplement!
Adjusters sometimes overlook ridge and hip cap shingles in their estimates. Many insurance providers assume that the cost of manufacturing and installing ridge and hip cap shingles is included in the waste allowance for field shingles, similar to starting course shingles (see above) (i.e. they expect you to cut your scarps to size and install them on the ridges and hips). This is doable with 3-tab shingles, but it is not suggested with architectural/laminate shingles because they are thicker and will not lay flat. When they’re bent over the ridges and hips, they crack easily. Furthermore, the labor cost of installing ridge and hip cap shingles is not the same as the labor cost of installing waste field shingles; Xactimate has two different prices for these operations. When evaluating the roof if you discover factory-made ridge and hip cap shingles or if you are working with architectural/laminate type shingles and the adjuster’s estimate does not include ridge and hip cap shingles, you should include them in your roof insurance claim estimates.
Roof adjusters sometimes overlook step flashing in their estimates. Many insurance companies believe it can be reused, or they take the risk of leaving it out of their estimate in the hopes that the estimate will be accepted without it. Most shingle manufacturers recommend removing and replacing step flashing when installing new shingles. However, there are 3 circumstances in which replacement is not necessary:
Because the majority of shingle manufacturers recommend attaching step flashing to the roof deck rather than the wall, any existing step flashing fastened to the wall will be in violation of the new shingle manufacturer’s recommendations. As a result, when installing new shingles, it’s normally advisable to remove and replace step flashing. The linear footpace in Xactimate can be used to replace step flashing. The cost of tearing off shingles includes the expense of removing them. If you discover an item that is valid but not included in the adjuster’s estimate, you should take the appropriate steps to get the additional supplements added to the estimate.
The most common omission from adjusters’ estimates is headwall/end wall flashing. Most insurance carriers believe this can be reused or won’t be supplied from their estimate, similar to step flashing (see above). If the flashing has already had shingles face-nailed on it, your new shingles are unlikely to be face-nailed using the same nail holes. As a result, if you utilize the old flashing, you risk having leaks. As a result, while putting new shingles, it’s usually advisable to remove and replace the headwall/end wall flashing. Xactimate estimates charges per the linear foot to remove and replace headwall/end wall flashing. If you find this item on the roof but has not been included in the adjuster’s estimate, you should include it in the roofing estimate that you submit to the insurance company. Always have picture documentation on hand and submit it with your supplement.
Valley lining (for both open and closed valley roofs) is frequently overlooked by adjusters. Most insurance companies either assume it will be reused (in the case of metal), or that it will go unnoticed by the adjuster if it is hidden by shingles (in the case of closed valleys), or they risk leaving it out in the hope that it will not be supplemented. Valley lining, on the other hand, is rarely reused. Because the field shingles are nailed through metal valley lining, you are unlikely to have your replacement shingles nailed through it using the same nail holes. There is a risk of leaks as a result of this. Valley liner used in place of rolled roofing or ice and water shield will not survive the tear-off of the surrounding shingles and felt. Finally, if there is no valley lining, it is almost probably not in compliance with current regulations and must be added. Xactimate offers a linear foot pricing for removing and replacing metal valley lining, as well as a square foot rate for removing and replacing rolled roofing or ice and water shield valley lining. If you discover this item on the roof that was not included in the adjuster’s estimate, or if it is a code violation that you believe should be covered, you should supplement your insurance.
Painting of vents, flashings, drip edges and other areas is frequently overlooked by adjusters. If the old vents, pipe jack flashings, drip edge, and other materials were ever painted a custom color, the cost of painting the replacement materials should be factored in as well. Paint vents by the each, pipe jack flashings by the each, and drip edge (i.e. trim) by the linear foot are all available options in Xactimate. If you locate something painted but the paint isn’t included in the adjuster’s estimate, you should include it in your insurance claim roofing quotes. Also, don’t forget to take a picture of yourself.
Drip edge is increasingly being left out of adjuster estimates. Some insurance companies say that the drip edge may be reused since shingles and felt can be taken off without damaging it. Some insurance companies claim that damage to the drip edge isn’t covered unless the drip edge’s intended function is jeopardized in some way. If the felt, ice and water shield, or starter course shingles were installed underneath the drip edge, the drip edge will need to be removed to remove and replace the previous materials. As a result, the drip edge will need to be changed in these cases since it will not survive. Xactimate includes a linear foot rate for removing and replacing drip edges. If you find that the removal and repair of the drip edge are necessary but not included in the adjuster’s estimate, you should include it in your insurance claim roofing estimates. Always take a picture to show why something needs to be removed and replaced.
Returns and bands of gable cornice are frequently ignored. When this happens, the roof diagrams and/or satellite imagery reports for these are missing the surface areas, linear footage, and other information. As a result, materials and labor are left out of the adjusters’ estimates. The expense of removing and replacing gable cornice returns and strips adds up rapidly, leaving a significant sum on the table. Xactimate has a rate for removing and replacing gable cornice returns by each, which varies according to whether the house is one-story or two-story. If a roof has gable cornice returns or gable cornice strips that aren’t included in the adjuster’s estimate, you should include them in your insurance claim roofing estimates. Always remember to take pictures of these to include with your supplement.
General Overhead and Profit (O&P) is frequently overlooked by adjusters. It’s a difficult subject with insurance companies because it typically raises an estimate by at least 20%. (overhead is usually added at 10 percent, and profit is usually added at 10 percent ). O&P might be the subject of an entire book.
The unwritten rule of thumb is that if a project has enough trades and complexity to justify the property owner retaining a general contractor to undertake and/or oversee the work, O&P should be included. Some insurance providers, on the other hand, will just refuse to pay O&P if they believe a project does not warrant the use of a general contractor. Even if that documentation is supplied, some carriers will accept the O&P markup on some trades but not on others. Roofing and guttering are the most common trades they argue about. Their argument usually goes something like this: “O&P is already included in unit costs for those specific trades, so they don’t qualify for additional O&P.” While it is true that a portion of what Xactimate refers to as “job-personnel overhead” is included in the unit prices, it is not the same as the O&P markup.
As for PAS Claims, we believe it is possible to make a significant amount of money in the construction industry. We think that having a strategy and a system of policies, methods, and procedures that are regularly followed is the key to long-term sustainable growth. PAS Claims assists contractors in growing their company by assisting them one claim at a time.
We make well-informed judgments on behalf of our clients, which allows us to assist them to generate income and enhance their bottom line. Everyone benefits when we handle your roof insurance claims. Contact PAS Claims or call at (866) 266-7713 and get your advice today.