If you’re concerned about hail or other severe weather damaging your roof, the following information regarding home insurance in Rockwall may help you make a good decision. We, at Rockwall Insurance, like to look out for our customers and keep them abreast of important events concerning their home.
Per the Texas Department of Insurance, there’s a new state law effective September 1, 2019. The law states that it’s illegal for a contractor or roofer to waive an insurance deductible. One must be careful about fixing roof damage that sometimes occurs after a severe storm including hail, of course.
Rockwall Home Insurance Advises: Be Aware of Scammers
Scammers and disreputable contractors often come out of the woodwork after a major storm. Texas Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan warns, “Roofers who waive deductibles are cutting corners. Take your business elsewhere.” Don’t be the victim of poor quality repairs and contracts that won’t be upheld.
Beware of a contractor offering to waive the deductible in fixing your roof. They may use any or all of the following to make up for that “offer”:
- Using low quality materials.
- Inflating the bill to the insurance company.
- Offer a rebate in lieu of the deductible amount.
In short, it’s illegal for a contractor to offer a rebate or waive the insurance deductible. The company offering such scams could be subject to a $2,000 fine or six months in jail. You may report such activity to the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508.
Helpful Tips From Rockwall Home Insurance
Rockwall Insurance offers the following tips when it comes to fixing your roof:
- Never pay the full amount up front.
- Wait until the work is complete before final payment.
- Don’t sign contracts with blanks in it.
- Check references to make sure some are local.
- Beware of door-to-door solicitors.
- Get multiple bids to ascertain an average rate.
- Written estimates should be on company letterhead.
Contact Us for Home Insurance in Rockwall
Here’s a bonus tip: Ask about a possible upgrade to Class 4 hail resistant shingles. The extra cost is often minimal and you could do this instead of waiving a deductible.
And here are two additional resources:
Video: 4 Ways to Avoid Contractor Scams
Article: Preventing Fraud (from the Texas Department of Insurance)
For further questions please contact Rockwall Insurance at 972-772-0540 or email us at: [email protected].
