[rsmurano]

I would have gone on the roof with them because you don’t know if this sales guy actually damaged the shingles before taking the pics. I would then hire a good home inspector or another roofer to check the roof out before doing anything.
I would also contact the state and maybe get them to do a sting operation with these guys to put these guys away.
If I needed a new roof, I would work with both my insurance company and the roofer, never sign any rights to a roofer and his lawyer, and just handle it myself. The roofer would have to be licensed and bonded, carry insurance for his employees in case something happened.

[crash]

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy

Just got a call from my dad about a guy from Apex roofing that blew into Pinellas offering free roof inspections. He got up on the roof, took some pictures, and explained there is storm damage to the roof (cupping, missing shingles, some other stuff I can't remember). He said he could help line up a lawyer to go after the home insurance company (Progressive) and probably get a new roof. The roof is about 10 years old. The lawyer answered the phone call right away and set up a meeting for Friday night. Something like "Your Insurance Lawyer, inc." (can't remember the exact name)

The whole thing sounded fishy as hell to me....but I don't know anything about roofs or insurance. Is this legit?

Thanks!

Joe

This is exactly why homeowners insurance is so bad. Ask yourself when was there a storm bad enough to damage your whole 10 year old roof the answer is not in the last 10 years. Also if there is some damage why can’t it be fixed. Never do business with anyone who knocks on your door and offers a free anything.

[MikePgh]

That smells like bad fish left out in the sun.

Find your own home inspector to go check it out. And think about reporting them to the BBB.

[Life as I know it]

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy

Just got a call from my dad about a guy from Apex roofing that blew into Pinellas offering free roof inspections. He got up on the roof, took some pictures, and explained there is storm damage to the roof (cupping, missing shingles, some other stuff I can't remember). He said he could help line up a lawyer to go after the home insurance company (Progressive) and probably get a new roof. The roof is about 10 years old. The lawyer answered the phone call right away and set up a meeting for Friday night. Something like "Your Insurance Lawyer, inc." (can't remember the exact name)

The whole thing sounded fishy as hell to me....but I don't know anything about roofs or insurance. Is this legit?

Thanks!

Joe

My best friend fell prey to this company. Signed a contract with them giving Apex’s attorney full rights to negotiate on her behalf. She went without insurance for an almost a year. Tried to get out of the contract and they would not release her. She ended up after a year with just a partial credit fighting with Apex and their attorney the whole time. Just the stress of having no insurance was terrible for her.
No to Apex, get two or three bids.

Some new contract protection rights for Floridians DeSantis has just recently put into play regarding roofs and contracts during hurricane season and times of declared emergency which seem to be the times scam artist roofers go door knocking (which I believe DeSantis created a law about that too but would need to research more to find it):

2024 Bill Summaries - The Florida Senate

[Sandy and Ed]

This “roof scan” would not exist if home owners weren’t greedy. “Your insurance co will pay”. They are the same folks that fall for the “Medicare will pay”, etc. Always want to use OPM ( other people’s money). In this case other homeowners through increased premiums or, worse, cancellations or departure from the state.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by MikePgh

That smells like bad fish left out in the sun.

Find your own home inspector to go check it out. And think about reporting them to the BBB.

Perhaps ask your own insurance company to do the inspection or recommend an inspector??

[NotGolfer]

We've had some of those in our neighborhood, going door to door. Once, I did open when he rang but told him we weren't interested. The other day, this week, a young guy rang our door-bell but I didn't answer as I didn't recognize him. He left something hanging and it had to do with new roofs. IF and WHEN we'd need one---we'd go with a reputable business and not someone who feels the need to direct-sell. Too many folks in T.V. have been scammed by these people.

[Miboater]

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy

Yeah I'm sure that's right, the contract needs to give assignment of benefits in order for them to have a shot of getting paid if they can get money out of the insurance company.

But is there a downside for the homeowner? I can see a downside for the insurance company, the roof inspector/sales guy, and the attorney. But I'm missing where the homeowner gets screwed. Can anybody spell this out for me?

Joe

I've read that they charge an extremely high price to replace a roof. If the insurance company won't pay the full amount then the homeowner is responsible for the difference. In some cases it was more than the cost of replacing the roof with a legitimate company.

[Fastskiguy]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

That is the script for the free roof scam.

The next step in the scam will be for them to present your father with a contract that contains words like "assignment of benefits" which gives them the right to act on your dad's behalf with the insurance company.

A second opinion from someone you or your dad trusts (rather than someone who saw your dad as a payday) would be a good idea.

Originally Posted by Bill14564

The contract needs to give AOB in order for the roofer and the lawyer to inflate the costs and threaten to sue the insurance company. Without AOB, the homeowner would collect from the insurance and pay the roofer. The homeowner is not as practiced at bringing lawsuits and would not be interested in padding costs so it would not work out as well for the roofer.

Does the homeowner get screwed? I don't know. I could imagine his insurance company might drop him. I could imagine the insurance company might refuse to pay and prevail in court and the roofer might try to collect from the homeowner. There is a recent change in Florida law that restricts or prohibits the AOB that might come into play somehow.

More than anything else, the homeowner would need to live with his conscience knowing that he played a part in raising insurance prices for everyone.

Of course, if a second opinion confirms the damage and need for a new roof or if there is no AOB then there is no scam.

Padded costs for the new roof, now that makes sense. My parents managed to get in touch with a couple of people on their reference list and both couples said their roofs (paid for by insurance) cost over $40K....probably a solid 1/3rd higher than than what they should have cost (regular designer homes).

Sure appreciate the comments guys! 2nd opinion here we come!

Joe

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy

Just got a call from my dad about a guy from Apex roofing that blew into Pinellas offering free roof inspections. He got up on the roof, took some pictures, and explained there is storm damage to the roof (cupping, missing shingles, some other stuff I can't remember). He said he could help line up a lawyer to go after the home insurance company (Progressive) and probably get a new roof. The roof is about 10 years old. The lawyer answered the phone call right away and set up a meeting for Friday night. Something like "Your Insurance Lawyer, inc." (can't remember the exact name)

The whole thing sounded fishy as hell to me....but I don't know anything about roofs or insurance. Is this legit?

Thanks!

Joe

There are a million red flags here. Run!! It’s an obvious scam.

[mflasch]

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy

Just got a call from my dad about a guy from Apex roofing that blew into Pinellas offering free roof inspections. He got up on the roof, took some pictures, and explained there is storm damage to the roof (cupping, missing shingles, some other stuff I can't remember). He said he could help line up a lawyer to go after the home insurance company (Progressive) and probably get a new roof. The roof is about 10 years old. The lawyer answered the phone call right away and set up a meeting for Friday night. Something like "Your Insurance Lawyer, inc." (can't remember the exact name)

The whole thing sounded fishy as hell to me....but I don't know anything about roofs or insurance. Is this legit?

Thanks!

Joe

Run from them as fast as you can!

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy

Just got a call from my dad about a guy from Apex roofing that blew into Pinellas offering free roof inspections. He got up on the roof, took some pictures, and explained there is storm damage to the roof (cupping, missing shingles, some other stuff I can't remember). He said he could help line up a lawyer to go after the home insurance company (Progressive) and probably get a new roof. The roof is about 10 years old. The lawyer answered the phone call right away and set up a meeting for Friday night. Something like "Your Insurance Lawyer, inc." (can't remember the exact name)

The whole thing sounded fishy as hell to me....but I don't know anything about roofs or insurance. Is this legit?

Thanks!

Joe

Apex is a scam outfit. They make a phooey inspection, say there is 25% roof damage, then try to get you to assign insurance claim proceeds to them. You might get a new roof, and you might not.

[mrf6969]

Had a neighbor that was ignorant enough to sign that contract with APEX. After months of APEX fighting with his insurance company, he finally got his new roof. The price of his roof should have been in the $15K range. With all the legal back and forth the final price his insurance company had to pay was $24K. Stay away from these scammers.
Oh, by the way, his insurance company cancelled him.

[Andyb]

[QUOTE=Fastskiguy;2362716]Just got a call from my dad about a guy from Apex roofing that blew into Pinellas offering free roof inspections. He got up on the roof, took some pictures, and explained there is storm damage to the roof (cupping, missing shingles, some other stuff I can't remember). He said he could help line up a lawyer to go after the home insurance company (Progressive) and probably get a new roof. The roof is about 10 years old. The lawyer answered the phone call right away and set up a meeting for Friday night. Something like "Your Insurance Lawyer, inc." (can't remember the exact name)

The whole thing sounded fishy as hell to me....but I don't know anything about roofs or insurance. Is this legit?




NO! It’s the reason insurance rates are through the roof, literally.(excuse the pun).
Roofs are made to last 20+ years. SCAM. Plus you could be committing a crime. Call your insurance company. Do not sign anything.