[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

[LeRoySmith]

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

It couldn't hurt to get a second opinion. There's another thread here talking about roof inspections. Skyline roofing I think.

Roof Inspection

[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.

[Stu from NYC]

Anyone who falls for this is a candidate to buy the bridge we have for sale.

[JRcorvette]

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

stay awasy from them… you have been warned

[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.

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

[Bill14564]

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

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.

[rjm1cc]

No
if there is damage contact the insurance co. If that does not work then a lawyer.
You will probably be asked to assign the proceeds to the roofer and not you. Another indication of a scam.
Contact your insurance broker, insurance co and better business beaures for their opinions and do what you are doing now.

[Papa_lecki]

Be sure to post when his insurance company won’t renew his policy.

[Velvet]

Apex roofing did my neighbor’s roof. And my neighbor refused to let me use them. It is my understanding that the company asks you to sign over your rights with your insurance company and they charge the insurance company extremely high rates. This behavior of signing your rights over to them by some roofing companies, besides the fact that roofs are replaced far too often, is one of the main reasons why our property insurance premium have increased so much. Instead of taking these roofers to court, which is very expensive, insurance pays them out, and rolls their costs into our next year’s premiums.

[Pairadocs]

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

OH dear, where do you live ? This scam is so old didn't realize anyone did not know how it all works... "assignment of benefits" and so on. Your dad actually gave this "inspector" (roof sales person who is contracted to make sure not direct employee for legal reasons. This is NOT a certified home inspector and if possible, will go on roof WITH OUT OWNER'S permission or knowledge. Giving permission will open resident to substantial legal liability if the "inspector" claims he was injured in any way... and remember, any "roofing" company that might benefit makes SURE this "inspector" is only a contracted employee paid on volume. This is a VERY dangerous scam. The Villages daily paper has written a detailed article on this, and it is well documented if you look up terms like: Florida consumer protection, etc. In the villages there are residents who have had these individuals PARK on the street BEHIND, and then "sneak" the ladder onto the BACK of a home so the resident does not see what is happening. Unfortunate we have relatives who moved here from South Florida. They fell for the "new roof free" scam, and their home owner's insurance company RAISED their premium by nearly $500 immediately after installation because "the value of the new roof, over the 12 year old roof on the home they purchased, is so much greater (that was their "explanation") THEN they used the increased $500 base to raise their premium another 35% at the next renewal period stating that is was "just the regular adjustment for the area" ????? Quite the racket here to say the least. Surprised your dad's agent did not tell him all about this. I know personally the agents at the Villages brokerage insurance office can tell you all about this !

[Tomptomp]

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.

Don’t walk away from them, RUN. I put a new roof on my house and the company said if Apex had been on my roof he won’t do business with me. They are going to hold your dad up in court for a year and your dad will be obligated to them. Check with BBB then stay away.

[Stu from NYC]

Run Forrest run

[jojo]

NO! do not under any circumstances allow them on your roof. I personally know of someone who did just for an inspection and regrets it.

[Lyarham]

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

Very bad reviews