Arbitration for a hail claim

I was wondering if anyone here has been to an arbitration hearing before. We did work previously for a homeowner. We had a "hail storm" last year and he tried to get a roof paid for by insurance (State Farm) like some of his neighbors got. They turned him down and when he appealed they sent out an engineering company that also did not find sufficient damage to justify a new roof. He now wants to take it to the next step and go to arbitration. I haven't been inolved in any of this but he is trying to find a roofer to go to the hearing with him to support his claim. He has pictures of the damage that he took before he went up and smeared tar over the spots. The evnts are dented, like most vents are after 15 years and the shingles have minor dings. I am curioous about an arbitration meeting but not sure I would be any good for him. I've seen a lot less damaged roofs that were paid for but I would have a hard time lying about what I think in this case. Anyhave any advise as to what to expect or how to present a good case?

Dougger, another observation I've seen is that once I start rejecting umpires and trying to have some influence over who is the umpire, sometimes that adjuster can see I know how to play the game and they'll renogotiate a better offer.

I've lost 2 arbitration, 1 when I was a rookie and let the adjuster choose the umpire, and the other when I had to be out of town and let a "nice" roofer friend of mine take my place. Nice isn't going to get it done in arbitration.

I've done two arbitrations and two meetings with engineers.

The first arbitration the umpire I wanted to use wouldn't touch the roof which was a 12/12. The only umpire who was willing was basicly on the list from the insurance company. LOST.

The second was on a barn roof with wind damage. The homeowner pushed and pushed and finaly the insurance company sent out an umpire and two adjusters. The outcome was repair and not replace so what do you think the homeowner did? Nothing, he didn't pay the umpire or me!

It's been a while but want to say $35-750 is going rate for representation for arbitration as a contractor. The homeowner splits the umpire bill with the insurance carrier.

I'm 1 for 2 on engineers. The funny thing is the one that I lost had more hail damage than the one I won!!! That homeowner got new siding but no roof.

At a minmum, go to bat with a bat in your hands. You cant get a hit without a bat. In other words be prepared. Have your photos, mfgers documentation, local, state or national codes and recommendations. The home owner should hire their own engineer if necessary. Be confident, control the people and the story being told. Steer away from insurance recommend arbitors. Its not a pick one side or the other. It is what the HO is paying for. If the insurance company is in volved, there must be damage. Prove the damage and the is no arguement.

Arbitration is won or lost by choosing the right umpire. The insurance company hired the engineer, and that ins company can pay the eng firm a LOT of money in repeat business - they're not always impartial.

You absolutely HAVE to control the choosing of the umpire!!! Reject anyone from the insurance or engineering industry. Sometimes the best bet is to keep rejecting their choices, them rejecting yours, then I think it goes into the hands of a local judge...or at least it used to be that way.

Hi Darryl, I didn't realize that was your screen name here!

What kind of paperwork are you talking about? He has some photos and I am going to have an estimate for the roof put together, but any other ammo that would help is what I am looking for. Thanks for the reply.

During the storm seasons here in Florida the years 2005 -2006 we had various arbitrations with insurance companies and the State of Florida, when we presented on the behalf of the owner our estimate sealed by a local engineer and all specifications per mfg and State Building codes we won each case, you have to have the proper paperwork when you do this otherwise fergetaboutit The State of Florida will lean towards the homeowner as long as you have the proper documentation.

oops must have been a typo! :huh:

After katrina i went with an insured to meet with AAA insurance in New Orleans at a place the state had set up for arbitrations. It was a slate roof claim, they were easy to deal with, snake farm is not.Just find another contractor if the damage is there if not move on and save yourself embarrasment

GKRFG Said: and of course it wouldnt be like you to post something less than serious. :P

:laugh: No that wouldn't be me!

and of course it wouldn't be like you to post something less than serious. :P

Hard to say anything that would not sound silly here Gerry. :dry: Let us know how it turns out. Please

I'm thinking of a charge to go to the hearing and a credit if we do the roof. Mostly I'm just curious to see what it's all about.

Make sure you are getting paid more than just a promise of a reroof. I don't know if insurance companies have blacklists of contractors that eagerly support claims. Insurance work is such a small part of what I do, I wouldn't care.