Insurance FAQ

Sycon Restoration Services, LLC wants you to be educated about your roofing when it comes to learning about the insurance process. This page is offered as a resource for commonly asked questions about the insurance process, Georgia roofing services and how we work professionally with insurance companies so that you can get the best restoration possible for your home.

When I look at my roof, I don’t see any hail damage. What’s all the fuss about?
Hail Damage can’t be seen very easily most of the time. You usually will never see actual holes or indentations. Hail will drastically shorten the life of your roof. If you have damaged siding, vehicles, or have noticed neighbors getting work done, you can be 99% sure that you will need a new roof and may have other damages also. Hail can damage your roof without any visible signs from the ground. Hail normally has to be the size of a golf ball before it will break through your roof or cause bruising.

Sometimes these damages do not show up quickly or are easily overlooked. The integrity of the shingle may be damaged, do not take a chance on it. If hail is driven by high winds or if it lasts longer than a few minutes, even small-sized hail can cause your roof to suffer severe damage and the loss of their protective granules, which will greatly reduce the life of your roof. Loss of granule layers on the shingle will cause the organic based center of the shingles to be exposed to the suns UV rays. This will cause serious deterioration of the shingle in a short period of time. Have it inspected, just to be safe.

Ask Yourself These Questions

What is replacement cost value?
What is actual cash value?
What is recoverable depreciation?
What is non-recoverable depreciation?
Will my insurance adjuster be a cat-adjuster or an in-home adjuster?
What difference will a cat-adjuster make for me?
What is full scope of insurance proceeds?
Why is it a felony to profit from an insurance loss?
Will the adjuster give me enough money for a quality restoration?
What can I do if my adjuster didn’t or doesn’t give me enough money for a quality job?

If all these questions are hard to understand or answer, then let a professional help you. We can answer all of your questions and help you get everything you deserve.

Hail and high winds can cause serious damage to your roof and exterior of your home. An evaluation by a trained hail damage inspector (not roofer) can verify the extent of your damages and outline the means by which to get them repaired. Even experienced roofers cannot see these damages. Most roofers do not know how to inspect for hail damage, but Sycon Restoration Services, LLC. has Georgia roofing specialists. A trained inspector has taken the same extensive training courses that your adjuster has taken (the adjuster must take these courses to be certified).

Question: What about my siding?

Most people can inspect their own siding by checking your exterior walls closely, preferably when the sun is a little lower in the sky (morning or evening). This will make it easier to see the denting. Old aluminum siding will show the damage more than wood or vinyl unless the vinyl actually has holes in it.

Question: Does my insurance company know if I had large hail in my neighborhood?

Most insurance companies subscribe to different tracking and hail reporting services. These services can track the hail size and the exact location it fell. If you had damaging hail, they already know it. If you had hail in your neighborhood, contact Sycon Restoration Services, LLC.!

We want to be present when the adjuster comes out to do his/her inspection. It is your legal right to have someone represent you during the inspection. Your adjuster cannot enter your property without your permission. Insist on a firm appointment so that we can schedule the meeting also. If we are not, or were not present during the inspection, you probably will not, or did not receive a full claim. Let us work for you in getting what you deserve. You only have a limited time to make a claim!

Question: The Inspection

The adjuster will look at your property during working hours, so you probably won’t be home when the adjustment is taking place, which means you have no input in the matter. We ask that you allow us to represent you during the inspection. The adjuster will inspect your roof and exterior of your home for visible signs of damage only. For the roof, he will measure out a "Test Square" (10' x 10') on different sections of your roof. If he can find a sufficient amount of bruises or breaks for each "Test Square", the insurance company will buy you a new roof.

Question: My adjuster said there is "no damage"

It is possible that your roof was the only one on the block that wasn't damaged. However, you are entitled to a re-inspection by another adjuster within the same firm. So if you’re not completely satisfied with the results of your claim, don’t settle. Ask for another inspection. Let us work for you in getting what you deserve.

Question: What About Discrepancies?

Most occur when the adjuster has not assessed the same amount of damage as the contractor. Whether it is for the roof, gutters, siding or other exterior or interior damage. So if you have interior damage or other hard to see damages that can be easily overlooked, chances are the adjuster will probably miss it. This is another reason that you need us to represent you during the inspection.

You are entitled to have your contractor of choice represent you during the adjustment process to expedite the settlement of your claim. In order to save you time off from work and the headache of the entire process, we ask that you allow us to represent you during the inspection process. We will work with your adjuster to determine the extent of the damage, clarify pricing and offer a repair price agreeable to the insurance company. All you pay in most cases is your deductible. We are a Georgia roofing company that will work for you in getting what you deserve.

Question: How does the insurance company pay on claims?

In most cases, about a week after the adjuster has estimated your property, you will receive your first check. This is most commonly called the ACV (Actual Cost Value). This check should represent the actual cost to repair or replace the damaged property, minus depreciation. This is commonly called the RCV (Replacement Cost Value). The age and condition of the property is taken into account when calculating this depreciation. When work is completed, the insurance company will issue a check for the recoverable depreciation amount only if the total expenses are equal to, or greater than the total settlement.

There is a way to receive the total settlement payment without depreciation. Let us work for you in getting what you deserve. Many people never get the depreciation amount back because they do not understand the process or the contractor they chose didn't understand the proper procedures. When this happens, you have to pay the difference. This will cost you thousands of dollars! We can offer a complete roofing repair package (at the discretion of your insurance company) without you having to do anything. We can handle all of the red tape. All work will be performed in accordance with all state and local laws. Let us help you and make things easier.

Question: Is The Excess Money Mine?

Absolutely not! You are not allowed to profit from a loss. Insurance fraud is a class 3 felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $5000.00!

Question: Do I need to get two or more estimates?

NO! Your insurance company has created their own price list and will only pay actual costs for repairs (according to their price list), regardless of what prices you may get. Think of it this way, what reward will the insurance company give you for finding the best price for them? Will they lower your premium? Your insurance company will pay a reputable contractor a "fair market price."

Will my insurance company give me more money if I spend more than they have given me?
Maybe! Your insurance company will only pay supplements on items that you can prove they overlooked.
Here are some examples of what you may pay...

Example 1
The insurance company has allowed you $5000.00 to replace your roof. Your deductible is $500.00 so you get a check for $4500.00. If you choose a contractor to replace your roof for $4500.00 you are legally required to pay the insurance company back the $500.00 you did not use.

Example 2
The insurance company has allowed you $5000.00 to replace your roof. Your deductible is $500.00 and your total withheld recoverable depreciation is $2000.00 so you will get a check for $2500.00. If you choose a contractor to replace your roof for $3500.00, you will only receive $500.00 of the recoverable depreciation because, "The amount of recoverable depreciation will be based on the lesser of the adjusters estimate or the actual costs incurred on damaged areas only" OR "If you have replacement cost coverage, you may be entitle to the withheld recoverable depreciation after repairs have been completed, provided that cost of the repairs exceed the amount of your deductible and your initial claim payment."

Example 3
The cost of the roof is $5000.00 you pay deductible (first $500.00). Your insurance company pays $4500.00.
The cost of the roof is $6000.00 and you pay deductible (first $500.00). Your insurance company pays $5500.00.
The cost of the roof is $7000.00 and you pay deductible (first $500.00). Your insurance company pays $6500.00.

All you pay is the deductible amount regardless of the prices, so why not get the best? You are only saving the insurance company money and costing yourself quality when you get several estimates. By letting a professional negotiate with the insurance company, we can make sure that you get everything necessary for a quality restoration.

Besides, what reward will the insurance company give you for finding the best price for them? Will they lower your premium?

You insurance company will pay a reputable contractor a “fair market price.” You should concentrate on choosing a reputable contractor that will use superior quality materials rather than concentrating on price. All you are required to pays is your deductible in most cases so it is impossible for you to overpay.