Minnesota Contracting Company Snap Construction

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Snap Construction 8200 Humboldt Ave South #333, Bloomington, MN 55431 612-333-SNAP (7627)

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MN – LIC # 20627022

Minnesota Contracting Company Snap Construction

Insurance Claims and what to expect

by Admin on 02/24/11

Insurance Claims

The damage that is present as a result of storm damage (i.e. hail and wind damage) is, in most cases, covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. It is very important though that you have your property inspected as soon as possible, or your insurance company may not approve your claim.

 

Snap offers a free inspection to determine if your roof has incurred any storm related damage. If we find evidence of damage to your roof, we can lead you through the process of filing your insurance claim. We have helped numerous homeowners in your area with this tedious procedure and many of our customers have stated that our expertise was invaluable to them in obtaining the funds to repair their home and roof.

 

Our Claim Specialist will help with the filing of your claim and will work with your adjuster to insure you receive all that you are entitled to. Our Claim Specialist are trained to check for other damaged areas of your property as well (such as AC units, gutters, garage doors, etc) that may have sustained Hail, Wind, or Storm damage and may have been missed by the adjuster. It is important to have your claim adjusted correctly the first time, instead of prolonging the process by having the adjuster come back out. If you think about it, the insurance company has trained professionals working for them. Shouldn’t you have the same thing?

 

The importance of having your claim adjusted correctly the first time will also affect the funds that the insurance company appropriates for the repair. If you allow us to work on your behalf, we will make sure the insurance company allows enough funds to properly repair your home. The final cost to you is the same, but it is very important to receive the proper amount to handle the project so we can purchase only the best materials for your roof.

 

The insurance industry has worked for years to perfect a system that minimizes their expenses and prevents homeowners from profiting off the proceeds they pay out. Also, if they happen to “accidentally” leave out funds to replace your drip edge, or use an out-dated price list that does not reflect today’s material costs, so what? Unless you have a competent, experienced contractor, who would know? The tragedy is that many homeowners will quickly settle for whatever the insurance company will pay and by doing so, they forfeit many important elements that should have been replaced or covered by their insurer.

 

With Snap you can have your repairs done properly and without having to worry about how the project will be funded. Many contractors do not have the experience or the knowledge required to properly adjust your claim or to negotiate with the insurance company. As a result of this, they end up cutting corners to get the price low enough to win your job. You do not want to do business with a company like that.

 

Insurance companies have developed a complex claim system over the years and it must be followed accurately to insure you receive the funds to repair your home. The Adjuster’s Report alone can be confusing to those who have not dealt with the specifics of this on a regular basis. Snap can help you with this.

Hail Damage facts and Myths

by Admin on 02/24/11

Myths about Hail Damage

 

Myth: I looked at my roof and didn't see any problems, or my roofer inspectioned it and there are no problems.

 

Fact: Roofing systems must be physically inspected by some one who has training and experiance to determine if there is actual hail damage. Insurance companies send their adjusters too special training so they can properly identify hail damage to property, unfortunately there is not much ongoing training for the roofing or home inspection industries.

 

Myth: I'm not missing any shingles so I must not have damage.

 

Fact: Missing shingles are related to wind damage claims and can happen during a hail storm if the winds are high enough. However hail damage is insidious in nature and may not physically cause leakage for years after a hail storm.

 

Myth: I only have 1 year to file my insurance claim.

 

Fact: Many insurance companies do have a one year time limit and some even less, however due to the nature of hail damage they may pay claims past the deadline. This usually happens if a hail storm is widespread geographically.

 

Myth: My roof is new so it's covered by the manufacturer's warranty, home builder, or contractor.

 

Fact: Manufacturer's specifically name hail as an exclusion to their product warranty, so do home builders and roofing contractors. Newer roofs can actually be more susceptible to hail damage versus older roofs due to the time it takes a new roof to cure from exposure to the elements.

 

Myth: I was told my roof has minimal or very little damage and therefor I don't need to file a claim.

 

Fact: If your roof has any damage what-so-ever you have a valid insurance claim and should file with your insurance company. Damage might not cause your roof to leak for years. This is why it's important to have a qualified person inspect your roof.

 

Myth: My insurance company will cancel my policy if I file a claim.

 

Fact: Most states prohibit insurance companies from cancelling policies for filing claims arising from severe weather related events. Check with your state however and your policy language as well.

 

Myth: If I don't file my claim, my insurance company won't raise my rates.

 

Fact: After a disaster, insurance companies may raise every one's rates. By not filing your claim, your personal rate increase is paying for every one else's damage except yours.

MN Roofing and Hail Repair

by Admin on 02/24/11

When it comes to protection against the elements, your roof is the first line of defense for your home. But because of the location, we rarely inspect our roof’s condition. Factors such as hail, wind, and storm damage will affect the life of your roof. This damage may sometimes leave obvious signs, while at other times it might NOT be quite as clear.

 

Most hail damage claims will arise on asphalt shingle roofs.

These shingles are composed of the following:


- granules

- asphalt mat

- fiberglass backing

 

The asphalt mat is an important part of your shingle, and the fiberglass backing is provided to make the shingle stronger, therefore increasing its life. The granules also play a very important role. For starters, the granules provide an ascetic appearance to your roof, but did you know that many times when the granules are stripped from your shingles, they provide less than acceptable levels of external fire protection to your home? The loss of granules also exposes the asphalt mat to UV rays. An increased exposure causes your shingles to break down and their water shedding capabilities are lessened. In time the roof will begin to leak.

Last years over looked hail could be this years catastrophe

by Admin on 06/23/10

Facts

You have two years from the date of the storm to report hail damage to your roof.

Not all hail damage is visible right after the storm and become more apparent as Minnesota's extreme seasons take their toll.

Having an expert by your side during an Insurance adjuster meeting will insure that you get the funds needed to fix your roof right the first time.  We know the facts!

Make sure you get your home looked at in time.  Too often we get calls to look at a roof that is outside of the two year coverage insurance providers abide by.  Don't pay out of pocket to fix you roof.  Your insurance can't go up from an act of nature.  Often times it takes a season of rain to wash away the lose granules on your shingles to show the damage from past storms.  We have experts that will give you a no cost or obligation consultation!

Call an expert at Snap Construction today and see if you qualify for a new roof 612-333-SNAP (7627)

Snap Construction Bloomington Minnesota 55431

 

A New Roof Gives You Peace Of Mind. How DO You Choose?

by Admin on 03/12/10

From Gary Ahton

Considering how important your roof is to the structural integrity of your home, it is a good idea to get up there and check on it on a regular basis. A good roof should keep out water and drafts, keep warmth in, stay on in a bad storm, and ideally, look good.

Even minor leaks can cause major damage if they go unnoticed. If a leak develops, it should be immediately patched, and plans made for a completely new roof. After all, where there’s one worn out spot, chances are there’ll soon be another. If your roof is nearing the end of its warranty, you might consider replacing it before a leak develops. This way you avoid any risk of damage to the frame, insulation, or any interior parts of your roof.

With so many roofing options, choosing the right one for your home can be difficult. Here are a few options available, and an explanation of their pros and cons.

Asphalt shingle is a readily available and relatively inexpensive roofing option, and consequently the most popular. There are two types of asphalt shingles, one made of glass fiber coated in asphalt, and the asphalt saturated, felted paper variety, also known as organic shingles. The organic variety tend to be heavier due to a higher asphalt content, making them useful in areas of strong winds. Both varieties have a top coating of ceramic granules which not only give them an attractive finish, but protects the asphalt from UV rays. Asphalt shingles are estimated to last about 15-20 years. The glass fiber variety tends to be cheaper. As for which is better, that really depends on your needs.

Ceramic tiles, those made of fired clay. Before asphalt shingles became widely available, ceramic tiles were very popular for sloped roofs, especially in Europe. One major advantage is they are fire-proof. Another is that the water collected off a ceramic roof is drinkable-ceramic does not leach petroleum toxins into the water like asphalt shingles do. They are also heavy, which can be a pro or con, depending on the structure of your home and the weather in your area. Heavy roofing material requires a strong frame and especially strong cross-beams, but it is more likely to stay in place during strong winds.

If they are high quality, ceramic tiles can last 50 to 70 years, so although they are more expensive than asphalt, they are often worth the investment. However, poorly made tiles with inconsistent enamel finishes can deteriorate far sooner, so if you are going to invest in ceramic tile, invest in the best.

Asphalt and ceramic shingle are just a couple of options for a new roof. More will be discussed in a follow-up article.

 

“A+” Rating with the Better Business Bureau

Flawless Record with the State of MN Visit; www.dli.mn.gov
Snap Contractor David Hoke, indicates that David Hoke is  accredited by Haag as a Haag Certified Roof Inspector for residential roof properties.
Home Office:
Anoka:
Bloomington:

612-333-7627
952-460-1075
651-403-6563
Minneapolis:
Lakeville:
Plymouth:
612-333-SNAP
763-287-0493
952–736-1071  
Brainerd:    
Elk River:
Hastings:
320-272-8099
651-403-6561
763-287-0495
St. Paul:
St Cloud:          
Stillwater
 320-272-8099
763-287-0497
952-460-1073  
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