Now that we know how to read an insurance claim, the next step is making sure the claim is complete. Does it include everything that needs to be repaired in order to ensure it is brought back to pre-loss conditions? Is the pricing correct? Are items being detached and reset when they should be removed and replaced?
Although every claim is different, in the last five years of supplementing property claims as a result of storm damage, I have started to notice that there are commonly missed items that I look for from the start. Additionally, photos taken during the time of inspection will assist you in reviewing the rest of the claim. Perhaps you found damage to the garage door of a home and that isn’t included on the original claim. Those initial photos (and any follow up photos) are going to be vital when supplementing for additional damages.
Commonly Missed Items
Here are some of the items I have found to be missed often on that initial scope of work from the insurance company:
- Starter Course Shingles: These are shingles placed around the perimeter of the home, along the edge of the roof. Insurance companies will often try to lump this in with the waste factor for field shingles. Using a starter course does have a higher labor rate in Xactimate.
- Hip and Ridge Cap Shingles: These shingles are used along the hips and ridges of the roof. Again, insurance companies will lump this in with the waste factor as well and again, the independent line item for hip/ridge cap carries a higher labor rate in Xactimate. Using waste for hips and ridges on a 3-tab roof is more effective than attempting to use waste on a laminated shingle roof.
*If insurance does include these line items in the waste factor, it should be ensured that enough waste is provided in order to cover these line items. The recommended waste factor provided on Eagleview reports does not consider starter and hip/ridge cap.
- Step Flashing: This is often skipped on insurance claims, unless there is damage to the step flashing. Although flashing should not be reused, insurance companies typically will not cover this unless it is directly affected by the storm. Taking photos of damaged step flashing will support getting this line item covered by the insurance company. Reusing step flashing can cause future leaks in the area of the roof, so should be replaced after being removed.
- Drip edge (and paint): This line item gets left off insurance claims often as well. When performing an inspection, take note as to whether the drip edge is installed over the felt on a roof. If the felt is under the drip edge, the drip edge does need to be removed along with the roof. Also take note as to whether the drip edge has been painted, as this will also need to be covered by insurance companies.
- Valleys: The valley material is occasionally left off an insurance claim as it cannot be determined what is used in a closed valley. For some cities, Ice and Water Shield is code for the valleys and should be added to the insurance claim. However, if this is not code, take photos of the existing material when completing the new roof installation and supplement this with your supporting documentation. It may be valley metal, ice and water shield, or roll roofing.
- Tarping: Protection with a tarp is typically necessary when there is a pool close by. As with everything else, supporting photo documentation can help with this line item. If you tarp the pool, take pictures. It will be cheaper for you and the insurance company to tarp the pool that it will be to pay to have someone remove shingle pieces, nails, etc as a result of the re-roofing materials flying into the unprotected waters. Tarping may also be necessary on areas of well-manicured landscaping around the perimeter of the home. Again, if you tarp during the roof installation, take photos and submit them to the insurance company with your supplement.
- Overhead and Profit: This can be a tough item to get covered on property claims. If there are more than 3 additional trades or interior damages, this is typically included by insurance companies. However, if you are a general contractor and you are subcontracting all of the work on the claim to different subcontractors and coordinating schedules with them and the homeowner, this should be warranted and requested. There will be future blog posts about this item due to its importance.
Supplement Supporting Documentation
Regarding these commonly missed items and any additional items that you are supplementing for, supporting documentation is key. While it is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, in contracting a picture is worth $1,000. If you have quality supporting photos for the items you are requesting, showing damages, it will be difficult for the insurance company to refuse coverage. This is the most important aspect of the supplementing process.
There are three major times to collect photos:
- The initial inspection, after damages occur
- During the re-roof, any additional damages that occur or missed items from the inspection
- Final photos after the project has been completed
In addition to photos, there are a number of documents that can help support the requested items.