New roofs causing higher insurance rates

[MNJohnson]

When I received our homeowners policy and noticed the significant increase in our annual premium, I started doing some research. Please be aware that these roofing companies are preying on the elderly who will believe what they are told since most are unable to see the roof themselves. They are also having you sign an assignment of benefits saying that they will take care of your roof for you with no money out of pocket. The reason is that by signing that form, you are waiving your negotiating power and allowing them to charge your insurance company whatever they please for your new roof. This then raises everyone's insurance premiums. If you look at switching insurance companies now when your rates are high, you also will need a roof that is less than 14 years old for them to consider taking you. All of these claims and new roofs that probably weren't necessary are causing everyone's rates to go up.

I encourage you to google: assignment of benefits Florida, for more information on the form roofers are having you sign.

Be extremely cautious of people who come around knocking on your door offering services! Most are out to take advantage of you. Do your research and take your time with making decisions.

[pauld315]

When I received our homeowners policy and noticed the significant increase in our annual premium, I started doing some research. Please be aware that these roofing companies are preying on the elderly who will believe what they are told since most are unable to see the roof themselves. They are also having you sign an assignment of benefits saying that they will take care of your roof for you with no money out of pocket. The reason is that by signing that form, you are waiving your negotiating power and allowing them to charge your insurance company whatever they please for your new roof. This then raises everyone's insurance premiums. If you look at switching insurance companies now when your rates are high, you also will need a roof that is less than 14 years old for them to consider taking you. All of these claims and new roofs that probably weren't necessary are causing everyone's rates to go up.

I encourage you to google: assignment of benefits Florida, for more information on the form roofers are having you sign.

Be extremely cautious of people who come around knocking on your door offering services! Most are out to take advantage of you. Do your research and take your time with making decisions.

Same thing happened several years ago in the area I lived in North Carolina. By the time it was all said and done, everybody's insurance went up around 50%. Somebody has to pay for these.

[Chi-Town]

An insurance adjuster checks your roof to see if needs repair or a new one. It's up to them.

[Topspinmo]

An insurance adjuster checks your roof to see if needs repair or a new one. It's up to them.

Supposedly Not in Florida roof scammer’s have lawyer That sue’s insurance company and the victim turns over claim to them, but that don’t mean they will not come back later and demand more money? Daily sun had article on state representative on this scam technique and law makers are looking into it? But, we know the power of lobbyist and ????

[EdFNJ]

Agreed. Roofers are quite busy around here. Have had a number of sales people trying to convince me my 6 yr old roof needs to be replaced. Previous discussion here: https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/who-getting-new-roof-308569/?highlight=roof

[JimJohnson]

Something smells! Contact your insurance agent for the truth.

[Leadbone1]

A lot of the information in your post is not correct but yes due to the amount of roofs that have been put on in this ZIP Code, insurance rates have gone up especially if you happen to have an older roof. It’s not that the premium has gone up that much, they have raised the wind and hail deductible significantly if your roof is beyond a certain age. Pretty much forces you to replace any roof that’s more than 17 or 18 years old

[Skunky1]

I actually have a video showing one of the roofing contractors doing an inspection and sabotaging the roof. If you’re going to have your roof inspected by a roofing contractor you need to watch them while they’re doing the inspections.

[JGVillages]

If the insurance company’s inspector and the in house adjuster approves he claim as damage replacement then why would you not replace? As in any major home repair situation always do your due diligence before signing a contract. Before coming here I lived in Charlotte County FL. After 2 hurricanes our homeowner’s insurance nearly doubled, yet our home only had minor issues. Whether you like it or not we all pay for the natural storm damage in higher rates, and in all cases that includes ones that fall prey to scammers adding to the increases. DUE DILIGENCE!

[zamory]

When I received our homeowners policy and noticed the significant increase in our annual premium, I started doing some research. Please be aware that these roofing companies are preying on the elderly who will believe what they are told since most are unable to see the roof themselves. They are also having you sign an assignment of benefits saying that they will take care of your roof for you with no money out of pocket. The reason is that by signing that form, you are waiving your negotiating power and allowing them to charge your insurance company whatever they please for your new roof. This then raises everyone's insurance premiums. If you look at switching insurance companies now when your rates are high, you also will need a roof that is less than 14 years old for them to consider taking you. All of these claims and new roofs that probably weren't necessary are causing everyone's rates to go up.

I encourage you to google: assignment of benefits Florida, for more information on the form roofers are having you sign.

Be extremely cautious of people who come around knocking on your door offering services! Most are out to take advantage of you. Do your research and take your time with making decisions.
That is 100% wrong. Insurance rates are raised when a disaster is declared and when the insurance company asks the state for permission to raise rates. You are right, an Aob is not a good idea with a greedy roofer but on the other band it ensures the contractor gets paid. I’ve had many customers over the years pocket the insurance money. If any one wants to know the truth about the insurance process feel free to contact me.

[allsport]

Yes there are companies doing that but my insurance cancelled my policy in 2019 because they could. I had one claim since 2007 for $800 and that was the end. I tried to get coverage and no one would insure me because my roof was too old. So I called a roofing company to get a new roof and they took one look at the roof and said I had lots of damage from wind. I did have some shingles off. The end game of the story was that the company that cancelled me for that little claim ended up buying me a brand new roof and that was what I call poetic justice. I would never have replaced the roof had they not cancelled my policy and given me six months notice to do find someone else.

[MandoMan]

Supposedly Not in Florida roof scammer’s have lawyer That sue’s insurance company and the victim turns over claim to them, but that don’t mean they will not come back later and demand more money? Daily sun had article on state representative on this scam technique and law makers are looking into it? But, we know the power of lobbyist and ????

Going to court against a roof scammer’s lawyer generally costs the insurance company as much as it would cost to just pay for the repair, and it risks losing a customer for good if the repair is denied, and then that customer tells all his or her friends. This means higher insurance for everyone, but especially for the person who made the claim. And if people are close to needing a new roof, and they’ve been paying for insurance for years with no claims, and all their friends are getting new roofs, they figure they’d be suckers to be honest and admit that they have an old roof and should pay for this themselves.

[Skunky1]

Really? That free roof inspection will cost you dearly. The first thing the roofing company did was to send a solicitor to your door in total disrespect of You and the rules of the villages.Take their business card and report them to your insurance company. Better yet report them to the state insurance commission.

[wiltma]

When I received our homeowners policy and noticed the significant increase in our annual premium, I started doing some research. Please be aware that these roofing companies are preying on the elderly who will believe what they are told since most are unable to see the roof themselves. They are also having you sign an assignment of benefits saying that they will take care of your roof for you with no money out of pocket. The reason is that by signing that form, you are waiving your negotiating power and allowing them to charge your insurance company whatever they please for your new roof. This then raises everyone's insurance premiums. If you look at switching insurance companies now when your rates are high, you also will need a roof that is less than 14 years old for them to consider taking you. All of these claims and new roofs that probably weren't necessary are causing everyone's rates to go up.

I encourage you to google: assignment of benefits Florida, for more information on the form roofers are having you sign.

Be extremely cautious of people who come around knocking on your door offering services! Most are out to take advantage of you. Do your research and take your time with making decisions.

Funny thing. I ask roofer to take a look at ours and he did. He showed me pictures of damage. Put in claim and insurance adjuster came out and agreed on the damage. We had a hail storm. Got a new roof for deductible. Just got my new premium and cost went down $25. I think people are jealous but I’m sure there are scam roofers out there so be careful

[1948JDG]

OMG, Can't imagine what the insurance rates will be out West after all the fires are out. I don't think it would be a good idea to rebuild in that area.

[davem4616]

OMG, Can't imagine what the insurance rates will be out West after all the fires are out. I don't think it would be a good idea to rebuild in that area.



I wonder if they had it to begin with

[bob47]

That is 100% wrong. Insurance rates are raised when a disaster is declared and when the insurance company asks the state for permission to raise rates. You are right, an Aob is not a good idea with a greedy roofer but on the other band it ensures the contractor gets paid. I’ve had many customers over the years pocket the insurance money. If any one wants to know the truth about the insurance process feel free to contact me.

No, YOU'RE 100% wrong. My premium went up 45% this year and I have a 2 year old roof that I bought on my dime, no insurance claim. The Villages Insurance agents will tell you this is because of all the claims for hail or wind damage caused by storms that nobody can remember.

[billethkid]

There are two roofing companies working the streets in our village. The number of jobs they are getting is amazing to me.
They offer free inspection! Now what do you think a roofing salesman is going to come back with?
Whether you need a roof or not they will have an offer that gets you thousands of dollars paid by your insurance with little or no out of pocket......and they get the max payment allowed by the insurance company.

The insurance companies are some what to blame for allowing these transactions.
The residents should know better but too many don't.

Roofers are taking advantage of the residents/insurance and legal limits of false representation.

[holmesperdue]

The reputable companies are ones recommended by your neighbors. The insurance company makes the final determination. And by the way if you are aware of damage and fail to report it, good luck when you really need it. They will deny coverage because you didn't report known problems.

[Waltdisney4life]

Adjusters and inspectors determine if a roof is damaged and needs replacing that roofing companies have no say. Also there’s a 1 to 2 year lag between policy costs and claims claim last month does not affect your rates are going up because of what happened two years ago.

[Topspinmo]

No, YOU'RE 100% wrong. My premium went up 45% this year and I have a 2 year old roof that I bought on my dime, no insurance claim. The Villages Insurance agents will tell you this is because of all the claims for hail or wind damage caused by storms that nobody can remember.

There was little pea size hail in my are and all sudden new roofs was being replaced everywhere. Pea size :1rotfl:

[mrf6969]

I was curious about all the new roofs going up. I called Travelers Ins and they came out to inspect my 15 year old roof. Travelers field adjuster stated I had over 25 percent damage as my roof had "loose shingles". They sited a wind storm back in 2019 of which I don't remember to attach to the claim. I have a feeling my shingles became loose from Irma but that was Travelers call. How can anyone call this a roofer scam when your insurance company has to inspect and approve. I believe those that call it a scam are those folks that are not getting a new roof due to an insurance company trying to do the least possible. May be too late for some but maybe you should change insurance companies for your future good.

[npwalters]

An insurance adjuster checks your roof to see if needs repair or a new one. It's up to them.

True. And the price negotiated between the roofing company and the insurance company is based on regional norms for the work. Almost always X number of dollars per square to remove and replace. The cost per square is high here.

[EdFNJ]

Insurance company "adjusters" often "work $$ with" contractors. Many adjusters sent by insurance companies are just independent adjusters sent out by the insurance company so the insurance company really isn't on top of what is really going on. My Uncle was a "private adjuster" up in NJ, had his own company for like 40 years. 95% of their work is on fire damage. Some of the stories I heard were amazing about what goes on. The insurance companies try to screw the homeowner and the private adjusters try to screw the insurance companies. All "legal" but it's no wonder why rates go up. Not sure if they do that (allow it) here in FL where a homeowner hires a "private adjuster" to negotiate between the homeowner and contractor and the insurance company adjuster. I highly doubt all the adjusters that come out to look at roofs are employees of the insurance companies. I'd imagine a lot of "stuff" goes on between the contractor and the adjuster so just because your insurance company adjuster permits a roof replacement does not necessarily mean one was actually needed.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Funny thing. I ask roofer to take a look at ours and he did. He showed me pictures of damage. Put in claim and insurance adjuster came out and agreed on the damage. We had a hail storm. Got a new roof for deductible. Just got my new premium and cost went down $25. I think people are jealous but I’m sure there are scam roofers out there so be careful I have 2 friends who had there 15 year roofs done, they had both call different companies to inspect there roofs , they both got itemized lists of what was wrong , an insurance inspector came out and agreed, One woman saw her recent bill go down some . Why people are angry at others getting roofs that an inspector signed off on is unbelievable . I think the op is right it’s just jealousy, I’ve lived all over Florida the rates here are very low compared to other places , and I just paid my insurance bill and it was a little less then last year and got all those taping there neighbors homes , well I don’t know what to say to that except if you’ve invading there privacy and you actually found fraud , why didn’t you turn them in

[Curtisbwp]

I have a new roof. I DID NOT rely upon the contractor who wants my money. I called my insurance company. They sent out their roffing EXPERT. He went on my roof and declared to me that my roof is in need of replacement. NOT THE GUY THAT WAS LOOKING TO GET MY MONEY.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

A 45% jump hmmmmm I suggest you get another insurance company , my home is entering 3rd year this month and went down a little band I go through villages insurance hmmmmm

[cndlou3]

Insurance adjusters do not work with contractors. They are employee's of insurance companies, I work for a body shop here in Illinois and deal with adjuster's every day. They have set amounts for everything. When we were at our home there in February the roofing company "Salesman" came knocking on our door my husband sent him on his way. #1 reason there is nothing free you will pay in the long run either by higher deductible or rates. This is kinda funny because I just spoke with our insurance company within the last month about our renewal. Trying to figure out what rates were going to be for the next year. Because our roof is original 2002 and it looks fine but they are saying our rates are going up again because of age of roof. This is something new because here in Illinois don't have to worry so much about the sun damaging the roof. But we also have a metal roof here too. But yes we will all pay in the long run for all of the new roof's being put on. I think that The Villages should put a stop to the scamming but hell when they own the insurance companies by that I mean The Villages Insurance they are making money too. So it is kind of a win win for them. Plus all of the application fee's for new roof's .

[rmd2]

No, YOU'RE 100% wrong. My premium went up 45% this year and I have a 2 year old roof that I bought on my dime, no insurance claim. The Villages Insurance agents will tell you this is because of all the claims for hail or wind damage caused by storms that nobody can remember.

Yes this is true. My insurance company told me they know all about the roofing scams going around and they have gone to Tallahassee to try to address the problem but so far the legislators have not done anything about this. My homeowners insurance for the past 3 years has literally "gone through the roof".

[KRM0614]

When I received our homeowners policy and noticed the significant increase in our annual premium, I started doing some research. Please be aware that these roofing companies are preying on the elderly who will believe what they are told since most are unable to see the roof themselves. They are also having you sign an assignment of benefits saying that they will take care of your roof for you with no money out of pocket. The reason is that by signing that form, you are waiving your negotiating power and allowing them to charge your insurance company whatever they please for your new roof. This then raises everyone's insurance premiums. If you look at switching insurance companies now when your rates are high, you also will need a roof that is less than 14 years old for them to consider taking you. All of these claims and new roofs that probably weren't necessary are causing everyone's rates to go up.

I encourage you to google: assignment of benefits Florida, for more information on the form roofers are having you sign.

Be extremely cautious of people who come around knocking on your door offering services! Most are out to take advantage of you. Do your research and take your time with making decisions.
Most people come here use the villages other revenue streams like their HO ins brokers bank etc that’s the first mistake

Get your own HO ins go to progressive save at least 50% over the villages brokers

One of the reasons you have people trying to get your business is the more services you get thru the TV the more they sell your personal data which the sleazy vendors buy and then bother you. I moved here a year ago paid cash and not one person has knocked on my door. The only sleazy vendor I got was the phony card about checking your water ! I even got the villages to stop sending me junk mail about current listings. So now I only get the junk in the mail now.

[Skip]

Be careful, if you say the damage was done during Hurricane Irma (or any other named storm) you have a much higher deductible and therefore more cost to you.

Skip

[cndlou3]

Most people come here use the villages other revenue streams like their HO ins brokers bank etc that’s the first mistake

Get your own HO ins go to progressive save at least 50% over the villages brokers

One of the reasons you have people trying to get your business is the more services you get thru the TV the more they sell your personal data which the sleazy vendors buy and then bother you. I moved here a year ago paid cash and not one person has knocked on my door. The only sleazy vendor I got was the phony card about checking your water ! I even got the villages to stop sending me junk mail about current listings. So now I only get the junk in the mail now.
We do not use the Villages Brokers for insurance. We use an outside agent and are very pleased with them. We got the water scam also and the poor lady thought she had us for a little bit and when we told her no, you would of thought we popped her balloon. LOL

[Bilyclub]

It's the rise of Public Adjusters that is forcing the insurance company to replace a lot of roofs.

When to Hire a Florida Public Adjuster (https://www.publicadjuster.com/need-an-adjuster/when-to-hire-a-public-adjuster)

[Chi-Town]

It seems that some people believe that insurance companies have no concern as to their desired rate of return and are easily bamboozled or loose with their claim payouts. Just the opposite is true.

[1oraleejn]

FYI, our homeowners insurance is REQUIRING that we replace our water heater, even though there is nothing wrong with it, and it is under a warranty! We thought that they were just mad that a storm went through and they have to replace our 19-year-old roof.

[Topspinmo]

OMG, Can't imagine what the insurance rates will be out West after all the fires are out. I don't think it would be a good idea to rebuild in that area.


It’s going to affect all insurers with those companies, rates will go up everywhere. That’s how it works. They have really good lobbyists.

[Topspinmo]

FYI, our homeowners insurance is REQUIRING that we replace our water heater, even though there is nothing wrong with it, and it is under a warranty! We thought that they were just mad that a storm went through and they have to replace our 19-year-old roof.


All I can say is shop around for different insurance company.

[Topspinmo]

It seems that some people believe that insurance companies have no concern as to their desired rate of return and are easily bamboozled or loose with their claim payouts. Just the opposite is true.

Well, I agree most of us are easily bamboozled by fine print on insurance companies policies.

[Topspinmo]

A 45% jump hmmmmm I suggest you get another insurance company , my home is entering 3rd year this month and went down a little band I go through villages insurance hmmmmm

Maybe you’re been over paying all along.

[EdFNJ]

Get your own HO ins go to progressive save at least 50% over the villages brokers Cannot agree with you there from MY experience. My HO came up in July. I have Travelers with Villages Ins. for my 3rd year (with sink-hole coverage 10% ded). I personally priced out 7 or 8 other companies giving them IDENTICAL $ for $ coverage limits to compare. Some were local agents and some online. While Progressive was CLOSE every one was at least $80-$100 more than Travelers from The Villages Ins for IDENTICAL coverage INC sink hole. If Progressive was 50% less you most likely are not getting the exact identical coverage limits/deductibles etc. you had or something was messed up on your original policy. That is way too much of a delta assuming you are comparing identical coverages. Are you sure you are not comparing 2 x 6 month payments vs 1 x 12 month? Also Progressive wouldn't offer 10% ded sink hole coverage as part of the policy. Oh, and it has only gone up around $20 a year each year. Of course it hard to compare but we have a 2/2 frame construction and it's $780/yr. Did get some quotes around $550 but they couldn't match the coverages and no S.O. coverage.

[Ladygolfer93]

typoWhen I received our homeowners policy and noticed the significant increase in our annual premium, I started doing some research. Please be aware that these roofing companies are preying on the elderly who will believe what they are told since most are unable to see the roof themselves. They are also having you sign an assignment of benefits saying that they will take care of your roof for you with no money out of pocket. The reason is that by signing that form, you are waiving your negotiating power and allowing them to charge your insurance company whatever they please for your new roof. This then raises everyone's insurance premiums. If you look at switching insurance companies now when your rates are high, you also will need a roof that is less than 14 years old for them to consider taking you. All of these claims and new roofs that probably weren't necessary are causing everyone's rates to go up.

I encourage you to google: assignment of benefits Florida, for more information on the form roofers are having you sign.

Be extremely cautious of people who come around knocking on your door offering services! Most are out to take advantage of you. Do your research and take your time with making decisions.

There are only about 3-4 hold outs in my neighborhood, those of us who know this is wrong, and that "creasing" is a normal result of wear and tear on a roof, it does not mean you have, or will have, a leak. Most folks are as happy as clams with their "free" roofs, and also happy their neighbors will be paying for their roof while they will get a lowering of their premium due to the new roof. The perfect scam. Someone mentioned to me that the Daily Sun actually ran an article on all of this. I didn't see it, did anyone notice this ? Was about a week or two ago I was told. Reputable insurance agent at a reputable agency told me this has been going on FOR EVER in Florida, all over Florida. The insurance companies, I was told, just "roll over" because Florida has no cap on court costs, litigation, etc. and the roofers make so much money they are able to "take care of everything" for the customer, including any court or legal matters. "Rolling over" for a roof that costs them on average less than 5K, is far less expensive than fighting one long court battle after another on the part of a home owner who "claims" storm damage". You are correct in your response, they require AOB's, assignment of benefits. That is a nightmare, it should be against the law, but people do it willingly all the time. A family member actually told me I was being foolish not to get my "free" roof. That in the end, my neighbors would all have a free brand new roof, and much lower premiums, while I would one day be stuck with at least 10K for a new roof and meanwhile have a 65% premium raise (which mine was in Aug.) even with a record of NEVER a claim, here or in any other state. Scam is right. I can't go along with the guy who came to my door, uninvited, and said, " I've been doing some work for a neighbor of yours and noticed you have some creasing going on with your shingles, if you would "authorize" me to take a closer look, I'd be glad to while I'm here anyway (so are you on the time my "neighbor" is paying YOU and using that time to come to MY door uninvited... hummm ??? Doesn't sound ethical to me. sounds like you say you are working for my neighbor and taking pay, but you are here at my house offering to look at my roof on his time, hummm. Hope my plumber does not go around to my neighbors while I am paying him to work on MY plumbing issue ! !

[Ladygolfer93]

An insurance adjuster checks your roof to see if needs repair
or a new one. It's up to them.

Exactly, and the reason they do not deny the claims is due to the unlimited time and money the roofers (not the home owners) have to fight them. Far cheaper (a broker/agent told me) for a company in a state like Florida (which needs insurance REFORM badly) to put on a roof that costs them maybe 4-5K, rather than get sucked into long legal battle. Thus AOB, the insurance companies WOULD "fight" the home owner, who rarely has the means to support such a legal battle. So they just "roll over" for the roof. They get some money out of it, the roofers keep their crews in work, and the real losers are the ones who know this is wrong and refuse to put in such a "claim"... if you know of no storm damage, the door to door roofer tells you "not to worry", they handle all that, they had several dates I could use when they came to my door ! ?

[newgirl]

Who is your insurance company??? I need to change mine, I had my kitchen flood and it took over 6 months of hell to get it fixed ! I am still waiting for a check.