We just had a hail storm, if I file a claim will my rates go up?

ANSWER:  IN A HAIL STORM OR WIND STORM ITS ALL BY GEOGRAPHY.  EVERYONE WITHIN THAT GEOGRAPHIC ZONE WILL HAVE A INCREASE, EVEN IF THEY DECIDE NOT TO REPLACE THEIR ROOF.

I don't know the first thing about roofing, how do I decide on a contractor?

ANSWER:  ASK FOR REFERENCES, INSURANCE PAPERWORK, WHERE THEY BUY MATERIALS, ACCREDITATION'S. THERE ARE GOOD COMPANIES OUT THERE, BUT IT ONLY TAKES A FEW BAD ONES TO RUIN IT FOR MANY.  THERE ARE FLY BY NIGHT COMPANIES THAT ONLY POP UP WHEN A STROM COMES THROUGH.  MANY OF THOSE COMPANIES BUY (SECONDS) DAMAGED SHINGLES THAT LOOK NICE BUT FAIL AFTER A YEAR OR SO.  THEY PROMISE THE WORLD AND OFFER VERY LOW VERY CHEAP PRICING. IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS.

Do I have a warranty?

ANSWER:  YES, ANY GOOD CONTRACTOR BUYS MATERIALS FROM A DISTRIBUTOR, ALL PRODUCTS HAVE A SPECIFIED WARRANTY, 20 YR 30 YR LIFETIME.  MOST CONTRACTORS ALSO HAVE A LABOR INSTALLATION WARRANTY AND THAT WILL VARY FROM 2 YR 5YR OR 10 YR DEPENDING ON THE CONTRACTOR.

I don't understand the difference between a RCV and ACV policy.

ANSWER:  THIS COMES UP ALOT ESPECIALLY BETWEEN NEIGHBORS.  A NEIGHBOR GOT A CHECK FOR 15K TO REPLACE THE ROOF AND THE NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET WAS ONLY GIVEN 7K FOR REPAIRS.  ACV MEANS ACTUAL CASH VALUE, RCV MEANS REPLACEMENT COST VALUE.  EXAMPLE:  IF REPLACING A ROOF IN 2000 COST 10K AND IN 2010 COST 20K A RCV POLICY WOULD RISE (INFLATION) YR TO YR.  A ACV POLICY WOULD NOT RISE WITH THE INFLATION, IT WOULD REMAIN THE SAME.  ACV POLICIY PREMIUMS ARE USUALLY LOW PER MONTH, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE DAMAGE THEY JUST DON'T PAY OUT.  RCV POLICY PREMEUMS ARE HIGHER BUT WELL WORTH IT IF YOU EVER HAVE TO FILE A CLAIM.

Do I have to get 3 estimates like my insurance told me too?

ANSWER: NO, YOU DON'T.  USUALLY WHEN A INSURANCE COMPANY DOES THAT, THEY WANT TO GO WITH THE CHEAPEST ESTIMATE.  REMEMBER THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL TAKE THE LOWEST ESTIMATE AND PULL YOUR DEDUCTIBLE OUT OF THAT AMOUNT, RESULTING IN A LOWER CASH AMOUNT BEING PAID TO THE CUSTOMER.  A GOOD CONTRACTOR WILL USE THE SAME SOFTWARE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES USE AND MAKE SURE THE HOME OWNER IS AWARDED EVERY DOLLAR THAT IS TO BE PAID TO THEM.  MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE FAIR AND IF SHOWN A MISTAKE THEY HAVE MADE ARE QUICK TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

The insurance company said I don't have enough damage, but I think I do.

ANSWER:  THE CUSTOMER IS ENTITLED TO HAVE A REINSPECTION.  INSURANCE ADJUSTERS ARE HUMAN AND CAN MISS DAMAGES SOMETIMES.  IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE YOUR CONTRACTOR ON SITE TO MEET WITH THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER.  WE AREN'T THERE TO DO THEIR JOB FOR THEM, BUT WE ARE THERE TO MAKE SURE THEY SEE AND WRITE UP ALL DAMAGES RESULTING IN THE CLAIM BEING APPROVED.

The contractor wanted money upfront to buy materials, do I have to pay?

ANSWER:  NO!!!! NEVER PAY A CONTRACTOR UP FRONT.  IF THEY WANT MONEY UPFRONT THEN CHANCES ARE THEY DON'T HAVE A ACCOUNT WITH A DISTRIBUTOR OR OWE MONEY.  MONEY SHOULD ONLY BE PAID ONCE MATERIALS ARE ON THE GROUND AND THE JOB HAS STARTED, USUALLY HALF IS PAID AT THIS TIME AND THE OTHER COLLECTED AT THE END OF THE JOB.

ARK ROOFING