FAQ - Roof Restoration Construction and Public Adjusters

Why should I get my property inspected?
It is free, no obligation and will bring you peace of mind. Most insurance companies only let you file a claim within a year of the date of loss. To prevent additional damages to your property, it is important to act fast, however, we will use the accumulated damage of every year and file it all into one claim.
Insurance companies consider it the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain their properties and take steps to prevent further damages. In fact, most policies state that homeowners should file claims “promptly” or “as soon as possible.”
If your eyes are not well-trained, it’s easy to overlook signs of hail or wind damage. Just because you can’t see damage from the ground, doesn’t mean your roof isn’t damaged. Leaving you with much potential leaking, water damage, mold and costly repairs.
Should I call my insurance company first after storm or water damage to my property?
Insurance companies advise property owners to contact a restoration company first after a storm hits the property or a flood occurred in order to begin water cleanup and fix your water damage as quickly as possible. If possible, turn off any water valves you can access.
Because water causes more damage the longer it sits, the sooner our water damage restoration specialists begin the cleanup process the more we can contain it and prevent mold. You shouldn’t wait for an adjuster to arrive before beginning any kind of water damage restoration. If you plan to file a claim, they’ll need an assessment of the damage and restoration estimate anyway. Calling us speeds up the process.
When should I file an insurance claim or repair the damages?
To know what it's best for you call a trained and certified roofing inspector who understands the insurance estimating process. They can review your insurance policy and do a damage assessment to determine if you qualify for a claim and the damage is severe enough. Unfortunately, some roofing companies don’t fully understand what types of damage would qualify you to place a valid claim. As a result, they recommend a repair and you miss out on the opportunity of a complete restoration. At New Kingdom, we specialize in the insurance estimating process. We are able to advocate on your behalf to bring you the best value possible.
Most insurance companies are using weather-tracking and hail storm reporting services to track areas that have been affected by storms. Because of this, hail size and locations may already be known by insurance companies and the damages may already be expected.
Do I have to use the restoration company my insurance refers?
No! It is your choice which restoration company you use. You get final say on which company you want to restore your property to pre-damage state.
When you hire New Kingdom Construction, you’re at an advantage because you have an experienced public adjuster to work on your claim at no cost.
If your insurance company is paying for your repairs, it may not be in your best interest to hire the cheapest contractor. The factors you’ll want to consider are quality, service, workmanship, materials and warranty.
What is a contingency agreement?
Since insurance claims are completely different from a normal “bid”, we don’t use a standard contract because we don’t know what the outcome is going to be and as a property owner, you don’t want to be on the hook for anything if the insurance company doesn’t approve it for some reason.
“Contingent upon insurance company price and approval”; this sentence lets you know that if we come out and conduct all of the proper steps and protocol and the insurance company doesn’t approve your claim, you are not on the hook for anything. Nothing happens. You don’t owe New Kingdom anything.
Contingent upon insurance company “price” means that if we do get it approved, then we will conduct the work for whatever the insurance company approved in regards to claim benefits. Therefore, your out of pocket expense is not to exceed deductible, unless you want some sort of non-insurance related upgrades.
Do I need multiple bids or inspections?
No, bids are completely irrelevant. In the end, property owners only pay their deductible out of pocket; nothing more. So they can’t save or pocket any money by “bid shopping”. In fact, it only benefits the insurance company.
Insurance companies write the estimate using a fair market pricing software, Xactimate. At New Kingdom we use the same software that provides us with fair and consistent estimates and allows us to make sure your insurance company does not undervalue your project
We write an estimate so we have a scope to go off of when we meet with the insurance adjuster but our estimate is often higher than the insurance company’s because they are a business and they are going to pay out as little as they can get away with because it is in their best interest to do so. So, if a contractor claims they can do the job for less than what the insurance company is paying, then you must wonder how? They must make money somewhere, so they are going to cut corners one way or another.
Our deal on insurance claims is if we don’t lose money on the job, we’ll do it for whatever the insurance company is allowing, even if our initial bid is higher.
Will my insurance premiums go up if I file a storm damage claim?
Typically, insurance companies cannot single out a homeowner for a rate increase based on an “Act of God” storm damage claim. However, your insurance company can raise rates for everyone in your area. So, if you don’t file a claim, your increase in premium will pay for everyone else’s repairs, except for yours.
Can storm damage impact the resale value of my property?
Yes. If you plan to sell your home in the future, it is critical to address storm damage issues immediately. Many homeowners are shocked to learn they have costly storm damage to repair before they can sell; long after the time to file an insurance claim has expired.
My home is fairly new. Won’t my homebuilder’s warranty cover the repairs?
No. Storm damage is almost always a named exclusion in manufacturers, homebuilders, and contractors’ warranties, which are designed to cover issues with materials and workmanship and not storm damage or other factors beyond control. But even if your roof is new and it was damaged by a storm, you can qualify for an insurance claim.
Why would my insurance company pay to replace my roof?
The purpose of insurance is to protect your property against losses that affect value, functionality and safety. If your home has sustained damage, your insurance company will provide compensation to have your property repaired.
How much does a roof replacement cost?
According to the https://www.reymodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2020/east-north-central/, the average cost for a typical 30 square roof in Illinois is $24,669. Most single-family homes are around 20-30 square. Our inspection is free with no obligation. But every restoration project is different. We’ll work with your insurance company to get you the complete restoration your home needs. Therefore, your out of pocket expense is not to exceed deductible, unless you want some sort of non-insurance related upgrades.
If you are filing an insurance claim, never opt for the cheapest bid. Choose a reputable contractor that is committed to quality workmanship
I already filed an insurance claim and got denied or I’m concerned that the settlement amount is too low. Can I still hire a public adjuster?
Yes, you can, and you should. Often, property owners don’t see the need to get a public adjuster and tried to handle the claim on their own until they run into difficulties or get denied. Even if that is the case we can review it and be your advocate, negotiate with the insurance company, eliminate the obstacles, and may even be able to reverse a denied claim. We specialize in this and we keep things simple and stress-free. We serve homeowners, HOA’s, commercial, and industrial businesses
I already have a roofer, can he or she help me to settle my insurance claim?
No, most roofers are experts in repairing your property but don’t have the knowledge, training or license to file a claim or represent you with your insurance company, and if they attempt to do it, it would be considered the Unauthorized Practice of Public Adjusting, which is against the law. When you hire New Kingdom Construction, you’re at an advantage because you have an experienced public adjuster to work on your claim at no cost.
My insurance company assigned an adjuster to my claim, why do I need a public adjuster?
The insurance company employs adjusters to ensure that their interests are protected and it’s only fair for you to have someone to protect your interests. That is why it’s essential for you to get a public adjuster who will level the playing field with the insurance, advocate for you, ensure that your claim is paid fairly and the maximum settlement for your claim is paid. Without a public adjuster, this could put you at a serious disadvantage. You might be facing business interruption, losing tenants, damage calculations, lengthy inspection, fail health and safety regulations and possibly being denied pay, delayed pay, or being underpaid.
I already received one check from the insurance but I’m having more issues with the property that I didn’t know when I settle the claim, can I still hire a public adjuster?
Ideally, having a public adjuster early in the process is the way to go. Often, there are supplemental damage claims that can be filed for things that are undiscovered once re-construction starts. If the policyholder has not signed a release, it is not too late to hire a public adjuster.
My property got damaged by fire or water and need mitigation services, who is responsible for paying the emergency services?
As the property owner, you will need to sign a form authorizing the work and payment. New Kingdom generally collects only the deductible amount and bills the balance to your insurance provider as a service to you. If you have a large loss, your mortgage company may be included as a payee on the payment from your insurance company, and you may need to obtain a signature from them as well. If your claim is not covered or you decide not to file a claim, you will be expected to pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some FAQ’s