For anyone who owns a home or business, a constant source of worry is the concern of when (and how) their roof might be in a situation that requires immediate repair or replacement. Whether this problem is a result of the age of the structure and roof itself or a consequence of a severe weather event or other unexpected disasters, the result is the same. The roof will need to be taken care of as quickly as possible for both safety and comfort reasons, and it can be an intimidating process for most people. At 2021 Training in Plano, TX, my team and I have been using our industry and hands-on experience for years to help people prepare themselves to succeed as independent insurance claims adjusters, and we know just how important it can be to have the right knowledge to communicate effectively with roofing contractors.
If this is someone’s first time trying to navigate the interactions between insurance claims and contractor bids, they might quickly end up feeling lost. The entire situation can be even more complicated because a property owner will be involved that might feel like they are being pulled in two directions by the claims adjuster and roofing contractor. The best thing to do in these situations is to make an honest, empathetic effort to guide the person so that they feel more confident in making an informed decision.
The Stereotypes Standing in the Way of Success
Believe it or not, there are still misconceptions floating around about insurance claims adjusters, and even about roofing contractors. Some people have a hard time trusting anything a claims adjuster says because of the stereotype that someone with this job title will do anything possible to downplay existing damage and cut back of estimated repair costs to look good for their company. This couldn’t be farther from the truth though. Independent claims adjusters who go through our online training process will learn about the important role of ethics and professionalism when it comes to sustainable success. Building a reputation for trying to cut corners and trim down people’s losses just to save a few dollars is simply not in the best interests of any claims adjuster.
Believe it or not, many people have built up a similar perception about roofing contractors over the years. Most contractors out there can easily be recognized as honest, hard-working professionals who are only interested in doing their work in the best possible way while helping people in their time of need. At the same time, there are certain individuals and organizations out there who will try to take advantage of a severe weather event, such as a major storm, to make fast profits while doing little to no real work.
Signs to Watch Out For
In most cases, maintaining a level of open communication between a roofing contractor and claims adjuster is the best way for a property owner to facilitate a fast, confusion-free resolution when it comes to assessing the cost of any repairs or replacement for their roof. At the same time, few situations should be red flags for anyone involved.
If a roofing contractor asks to know the exact price estimate that was assessed by a claims adjuster, that is a major concern. While some experienced roofers may ask to check the technical portion of a report to be certain all damage is accounted for, any request to see actual price estimates are a sign that the contractor is hoping to match up their bid perfectly for maximized profit.
Another major cause for concern is when a roofing contractor starts promising to waive an insurance deductible. Because this amount is tied directly to an insurance agreement, it ultimately has nothing to do with the work being done by a roofer so they do not have the power to alter this payment. In the worst-case scenario, both the property owner and roofing contractor could be charged with insurance fraud.
Get Industry-Leading Knowledge from 2021 Training in Plano, Texas
If you’re interested in starting your career as an independent claims adjuster, then the best place to start is with online training courses with my team and I. As a group of experienced professionals that have been working with people for years to give them the knowledge and resources they need to succeed, we are always happy to answer questions and share our experiences. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more, or register for classes online to get started.