b'LEGALLY SPEAKINGEncouraging policyholders to pursue appraisaladvice to customers or face stiff penalties or even without understanding its implications can lead tocriminal charges. By referring policyholders to unfavorable outcomes, potentially costing roofingattorneys with extensive knowledge and experience contractors jobs or legal trouble. Moreover, ifin insurance law, roofing contractors empower contractors intend to conduct repairs post-appraisal,them with comprehensive guidance and advocacy they cannot participate in the appraisal to avoidthroughout the claims process safeguarding them bias, leaving them uninformed until an awardfrom liability.is granted. This underscores the importance ofAttorneys offer invaluable insights into the referring policyholders to legal counsel.policyholders insurance policy, ensuring that the Consider two scenarios where policyholders,appraisal process aligns with the policyholders facing substantial roof damages due to severebest interests. They can review the policy terms, storms, pursue appraisal without legal consultation.assess the fairness of the appraisal clause, and In one scenario, the appraisers, influenced by theadvise on potential risks and alternatives. By insurer, undervalue damages, and the policyholdersrecommending legal consultation before appraisal, appraiseragreestoexcessivedepreciation.roofing contractors demonstrate their commitment to However, as the policy is an actual cash valueprotecting policyholders rights and interests. They policy, not a replacement cost value policy, therecognize the complexities involved in insurance policyholder cannot recover depreciation, receivingdisputes and acknowledge the importance of inadequate compensation. In the other scenario,seeking comprehensive legal advice. Additionally, despite obtaining a favorable award for significantreferring policyholders to attorneys fosters trust hail damages on a metal roof, a cosmetic roofand transparency in the client-roofing contractor endorsement precludes coverage for cosmetic hailrelationship.damage to metal surfaces. Because appraisal onlyConclusiondetermines the amount of the loss and not issuesWhile appraisal is a vital tool for resolving of coverage, the insurance company refuses toinsurance disputes, particularly when it concerns pay the award. The policyholder, after alreadyroofdamages,itspursuitrequirescareful spending several thousand dollars and months ofconsideration. Advising policyholders to seek legal delays, is now faced with trying to find legal counselconsultation before appraisal is imperative. By doing to enforce the award. Further, in both scenariosso, roofing contractors empower policyholders the policyholders will need to complete all repairswith the knowledge and advocacy necessary to outlined in the awards (likely out of pocket) or facenavigate insurance disputes effectively. In this future denials. collaborative approach, policyholders can receive Therepercussionsextendbeyondthefair compensation for their property damages, policyholders.Roofingcontractorswhosafeguarding their financial stability, and preserving recommended the appraisal face consequencesthe reputation of the roofing industry.likedissatisfiedclientsandpotentiallegal actions. Inadequate compensation may hinderAbout the Author: Michelle Le is the owner of the law firm repairs or replacement, causing delays or subparLaw Offices of Michelle C. Le, PLLC and she serves as workmanship. Moreover, contractors reputationsOf Counsel for the law firm Graybill & Hazlewood, LLC. may suffer, as clients attribute unfavorable outcomesMichelle focuses her practice on insurance recovery litigation to their recommendations. Now, the policyholderby representing policyholders in claims related disputes with may have potential causes of action against thetheir insurance companies. Michelles passion for helping roofing contractor, such as violations of consumerpolicyholders began in 2013 where she was responsible for protection acts, breach of contract, or breach ofa large insurance docket in a mid-sized firm in San Antonio, warranty, just to name a few. Texas. In 2017, she established the Law Offices of Michelle Roofingcontractors,thoughproficientinC. Le, PLLC so she could better serve policyholders dealing diagnosing damages, may lack expertise in insurancewith insurance disputes by giving personal attention to each policies and legal matters.More importantly, theyclients case. Michelle is admitted to practice law in Kansas, may be prohibited from providing any guidance orTexas, Colorado, and Mississippi.www .mrca .orgMidwest Roofer 13'