Can My Hail Damage Deductible Be Waived?
Living in North Texas means dealing with heavy and constant hailstorms during the storm seasons. With hail damage to your residential or commercial property being at risk during each heavy storm, owners begin to raise questions about whether the damage can be waived or if it is a potential red flag. If you are wondering if your hail damage deductible can be waived, keep reading this article. We discuss who is responsible for hail damage, what can be considered a “red flag,” and how to appropriately report fraud.
Who is responsible?
We’re just going to put this straight – the homeowner is responsible for any and all deductibles that are part of his or her insurance plan. As of 09/01/2019 per Texas law, the state “requires property owners to pay the full insurance deductible they agreed to pay in their property insurance policy”. If someone comes knocking on your door offering a deal that includes your deductible, this should be a red flag for you! Here at Classic, we always ensure that we are following all Texas laws and regulations when it comes to repairs on your home or commercial property. Keep reading to spot the companies that don’t.
A Contractor Red Flag
Many contractors who purport to waive the deductible may either fraudulently report the costs incorrectly to your insurance company and/or cut corners by using lower-quality materials for your hail damage repair that keeps their costs low, provide a low-quality repair, and their pockets full.
At the end of the day – the insurance company will confirm that you paid your deductible before your claim is paid by asking for proof (a canceled check and/or credit card statement with the deductible amount). If the contractor “waived” your deductible – then you may be liable for fraud.
Reporting fraud
You may be tempted to call back a company that leaves a flyer claiming to pay your deductible as a means to save some cash, but for the reasons above, you probably want to steer clear! If you receive an offer from a company and something feels off, you should trust your gut! You can go so far as to report fraud to the National Insurance Crime Bureau to open an investigation. Typically, companies that make this offer are fly-by-night operators that are looking to profit from your distress after severe weather and major roof damage.
We’ve explained why you should never hire a contractor claiming to pay your deductible for roof repairs for a few reasons, including staying within the bounds of the law! Contact Classic for a reliable commercial and residential roofing contractor. Not only are we honest and trustworthy, but we have many years of experience under our belt, especially when it comes to hail damage. If you have further questions about when you as a homeowner are responsible for paying any and all deductibles reach out to us today for more information.
Don’t Wait to File an Insurance Claim!
While these are the common types of damage we see on asphalt shingles, hail can crack or even shatter harder materials like clay or concrete. This type of damage will be easy to see, but when you consider something like hail impact marks, you really start to see how a roofing expert can help spot small, important details.
It’s no surprise to anyone who’s lived here from May to August that North Texas summers are hot and humid. What might surprise you is the damage that the summer heat and humidity can cause to your home. That’s why today, we’re going to share with you the top 3 ways that heat and humidity damage your home – and what you can do about it.
Here at Classic Construction, we are unusually passionate about regular roof maintenance, and for good reason. Your roof is your first line of defense against the elements, and the heat and humidity in summer can cause damage to your roof that can affect other areas of your home as well. The heat can cause shingles to crack, making them more likely to leak. A good summer shower can come along and then cause unbearable humidity in your attic which, when combined with the heat, can cause the shingles to deteriorate at an even faster rate. The humidity can also cause the insulation in your attic to breakdown. To help prevent damage to your roof, we suggest scheduling 
Sealant essentially prevents moisture from entering your home or escaping your plumbing. Areas in your home that require sealant include your roof, pipes, windows, doors, tubs, and any openings that lead to the exterior of the home or are near the plumbing. Sealants typically have only a 6-month shelf life before they start peeling or become cracked enough to become ineffective. With the Texas heat and humidity, this shelf life becomes even less. Once moisture enters your home, you can have interior damage from the leaks such as stains on your ceiling or even more serious damage such as rotted wood or buckling hardwood floors. Furthermore, the humidity created by the combination of the leaks and the Texas heat can cause mold and mildew to grow. To prevent any of this from occurring in your home, we (again) suggest regularly scheduled maintenance and a healthy dose of vigilance.
Here at Classic Construction & Restoration, Inc. we take pride in being among the top 2% of roofing contractors in North America. How did we achieve this lofty goal? 
While a thorough roof inspection is something that should be left to a professional roofing contractor, you as the homeowner or property manager can perform a basic inspection. This can be done from the ground with binoculars as you circle the property, or from the top of a ladder set against the roof. Slowly circle the property and search for obvious signs of damage: missing shingles, sagging near ridges, or rusty metal where the house meets the roof.