Colorado ranks second nationally in hail insurance claims. However, when looking for home and roof repairs, it is essential to be very careful, as scammers may be around the corner looking to make false promises to get quick money.
The key is to make sure the company is legitimate before writing a check or giving cash to any contractor.
The aftermath of this storm can sometimes bring out the worst in some people.
Denver homeowner Rachel Freriks had never experienced a hail storm and its aftermath until Thursday night.
“I’ve never really seen a hail storm like last night,” Freriks said. “I’ve never had any kind of exterior damage like we’re seeing today.”
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Hail can cause significant damage to cars and homes, especially roofs. Josh Wilkey is a contractor with Havoc Roofing Company, a roofing and home contracting company.
“Any of these dimples that appear are due to hail damage,” Wilkey said, pointing to marks on Freriks’ roof. “And everything you can see from the windows, it’s all from the hail.”
While severe weather season is a good time for contractors like Wilkey to do business, experts warn it’s also a time to be more vigilant. Carole Walker of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Association warns homeowners.
“Unfortunately, hail season in Colorado is also scam season,” Walker said.
According to Walker, the number one sign of a scam is the door-to-door roofer. These types of contractors often knock on doors and ask people if they want immediate repairs, often offering false promises. The second red flag would be to request a check or cash for the full amount upfront.
“Reputable roofers don’t demand money up front. They don’t pressure you to simply get on the roof and sign a contract before coordinating with your insurance company,” Walker said. Wilkey says when they perform roof inspections, they make sure clients are comfortable and aware of the process.
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“Typically what we would do is make sure the appraiser is available, then we meet with the appraiser and the owner, receive the claim and make sure we receive the claim first before signing a contract,” Wilkey said.
Experts emphasize that before making the decision to hire someone for repairs, be sure to do your research and take your time.
“I know it’s easy to panic and think, ‘oh, I need to be first in line with a roofing contractor,’ but coordinate with your insurance company first,” Walker said.
Experts add that contractors will always inspect the roof and do their due diligence before demanding more money from the client. The advice is always to slow down and make sure the company is credible and legitimate.
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