Contractor as adjuster

I know we have all had contractor serve as adjusters but usually the contractor is with the adjuster at the home...and the contractor don't try selling a roof to the customer, they just deny the roof. Well IFB has started making it a general practice, or it seems that way, to send out a contractor to act as an adjuster. I had them out to look at a claim/family member and a contractor shows up without me being around, he approved 1/2 of roof.......then tried to sell the old lady the other half. She told him she wanted to get other estimates and he has called her back 2 times to try getting her to sign contract. That kind of pisses me off. I don't know that he has done anything illegal....but it seems unethical and like unfair trade practice......to say the least.

What you guys think.....

Yeah Chuck.....he was probably trying it because it had worked 100 times before with adjusters who didn't care....they throw enough shit at the wall, something will stick.

I can't believe this adjuster called me over 5% waste difference on a 23 square roof, not even a square difference......I almost think she was a telemarketer instead of an adjuster, sounded like she was reading from a card. They added a generous $3 per square for tear off on 12/12....I don't think the program has torn off any steep roofs :silly:

CIAK Said: Jeff To tell the insurance company to shove their estimating programs childish tch,tch Grow up man. You know better.

Sometimes the estimating programs don't see the human side of things. With the new rules set forth with OSHA, the new LEAD laws it isn't always correct. I don't like doing insurance work but have been in the middle of this storm stuff now for a year. It's working twice, once to meet the owner Inspect for damage, tell them to call their insurance company, then go meet the adjuster, then go back and meet with homeowner again. To much time. We have been telling people now to just call their insurance company and then we will come out. I don't see how it's our job to check for damage. Either you have it or you don't. However, with some adjusters I witnessed no Standards from company to company, never made any sense you ask me. I did meet a few really good ones. I knew no damage and so did they, we both talked to homeowner with our findings. Keeping the high road! Not always do I stay above the line and I appreciate being called out on it.

I was working Rita Katrina hurricanes. Had a contractor trying to collect on an asbestos roof tear off approx 11 squares $14,000.00. That was the worst one I worked on. Let me remind you not the only one just the most outstandingly bad egregious claim. He thought he could take advantage of a situation. Tongue and cheek LOL, that says it all? Really?? hmmm........ B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

I had an adjuster call me today. She left me a message saying I charged too much waste allowance and that she couldn't pay it. This roof is 2 story 12/12, gable roof, with 80 feet of step flashing, 2 dormers and 2 one story porches that end in the siding. I figured 15% waste, she said she cannot do that on a gable roof! She said program wouldn't allow it.....I asked her if that program had roofed as many roofs as she had....SHE SAID YES. LOL, that says it all.

Jeff It isn't extortion. The insurance company is trying to repair and bring the living condition of the insured back to normal. It is the extravagant price gouge they are fighting against. If a contractor can present a good case for the increase a seasoned adjuster will understand the increase. That is all. Most of the comments about the insurance company's ripping off contractors are based in ignorance and a bias or greed. Yes sometimes mistakes are made on both sides. For a general rule, the xactimate is fair. To tell the insurance company to shove their estimating programs "childish" tch,tch Grow up man. You know better.

B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

I think the insurance companies can take their exactomate and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. They are or we are close to each other on the easy walkable roofs. However, on the steep cut up pigs they are often 25% lower than my estimates. We haggle, I throw the law and building codes and OSHA at them, they have paid most of the time. It's all how you show them why something is going to take longer, safety reasons or the building codes. Don't settle make a few faxes and calls. You generally will get what your asking if you present your case clearly to the adjuster whether it's the field adjuster or the one that never leaves the office. Hope that helps.

jimAKAblue Said:

CIAK Said: Unfortunately most H/Os go for the cheapest rate and want the best coverage not payed for.

That is a confusing statement. Are you saying they go for the cheapest insurance rates and then suffer the consequences when there is a claim?

What kind of coverage do you get without paying for it?

JSC Said: To understand what your talking about, learn how to read the policys

The contractor does not have a rate agreement with the insurance co. Seems more fitting that they learn to pay whatever my bid is, rather than decide unilaterally how much I should work for. Do contractors get to decide how much premium they should charge?

JSC Said:The contractor does not have a rate agreement with the insurance co. Seems more fitting that they learn to pay whatever my bid is, rather than decide unilaterally how much I should work for. Do contractors get to decide how much premium they should charge?

My understanding of the system (please correct me if I'm wrong) is that the adjuster creates a report that is an "estimate" of the actual damages. The contractor creates a proposal that IS the actual cost to repair. If the scope is the same and the cost value is different, the two parties (the insured and insurer) have to find a way to agree on their differences. They can settle it by talking it out or pursue it through the prescribed process.

The insurer appears to have the upper hand because you are battling them on their turf but ultimately, everyone might end up before the state insurance board and then possibly into a civil court.

The "estimate" is created by using arbitrary numbers that would seemingly be logical in a court of law. That would mean that some contractor are higher and some lower. If you happen to be the higher contractor, that doesn't mean the insurer won't pay. It just means that you might have to battle in the system to get that pay.

Obviously, the system is designed by lawyers, for lawyers and the contractor that employs the best legal team to battle for every penny will probably get it. Guys like me just settle because that's the only way I can get through till tomorrow. If I had deeper pockets, maybe I'd have better legal documents to battle for my cash.

CIAK Said: Unfortunately most H/Os go for the cheapest rate and want the best coverage not payed for.

That is a confusing statement. Are you saying they go for the cheapest insurance rates and then suffer the consequences when there is a claim?

What kind of coverage do you get without paying for it?

"To understand what your talking about, learn how to read the policy's"

The contractor does not have a rate agreement with the insurance co. Seems more fitting that they learn to pay whatever my bid is, rather than decide unilaterally how much I should work for. Do contractors get to decide how much premium they should charge?

The insurance company has its own method for determining the value of a claim. If you understand how this process works. A determination can be made about adequate insurance before an emergency presents itself. Unfortunately most H/O's go for the cheapest rate and want the best coverage not payed for. The policy states what will be paid for and how much. To understand what your talking about, learn how to read the policy's B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

"Property adjusters come out and examine the validity of these claims and determine the amount of compensation owed to you the policy holder."

Based upon actual prices charged by a legitimate, quality contractor, or based upon the price the insurance co. sets?

We could take this in any direction. The reality is when you buy insurance you pay the insurance company to settle the claim. The process requires you to call the insurance company and file a claim for compensation. Property adjusters come out and examine the validity of these claims and determine the amount of compensation owed to you the policy holder. B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

My gut must have been correct. I sent an email to the insurance company in question and I have already been contacted by district manager wanting more info on who did this.