b'RESIDENTIAL & STEEP SLOPEWHY ROOFING CONTRACTORS RECOMMEND A HOMEOWNER USE AN APPRAISER TO DISPUTE INSURANCE CLAIMSI n the roofing industry, dealing with insurancean insurance claim. This article will explore the claims is a common part of the job, especiallyimportance of appraisals in resolving insurance when it comes to storm damage, leaks, ordisputes and how they can protect your other unforeseen issues. While many insurancebusiness and your residential clients. We will claims are straightforward, disputes betweenoffer a follow-up article focusing on how you can contractors, homeowners, and insuranceutilize appraisal to grow business and protect companies can arise. These disputes oftenclients in commercial roofing.revolve around disagreements on the scopeThe Role of an Appraiser in Insurance of work, material costs, or the severity of theDisputesdamage. There is nothing worse than seeing a homeowner being told the damage is less thanWhen a homeowner files an insurance claim what is obvious and having no way to help yourfor roof damage, an adjuster or inspector is customer.sent by the insurance company to assess the One of the most effective tools for resolvingsituation. The adjusters or inspectors report these disagreements is the use of adetermines what is damaged and how much professional appraiser. For roofing contractors,the insurance company will pay for repairs having a relationship with a trusted appraiseror replacements. However, the contractors to speak with the insured to explain theassessment of the damage might differ process of disputing a claim on their behalf issignificantly from the adjusters report, leading a largely untapped resource. A knowledgeableto potential conflicts. In most states, contractors professional appraiser that you partner withare prevented from direct involvement of is a great tool to help your customer and onethe insurance claims short of submitting a that can set you apart from others you aresupplement for the covered damages therefore competing with for business. Appraisals offer anonce a dispute arises the homeowner is left unbiased, detailed assessment of the project,with few options for assistance in disputing the which can serve as the foundation for disputinginsurance companys findings. 20 www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer'