Thrown under the TDI bus! LOL

There has been a lot of bloviating about the new Texas insurance law (House Bill 1183 became law last year), regarding insurance adjusters and contractors. To be blunt, the bill was focused on reducing fraud, especially with public adjusters, (and yes, some dishonest roofers). Texas has been ground zero for insurance fraud, even our former state insurance commission Eleanor Kitzman stated, "Texas has the highest rate of fraud in the roofing repair industry." Many times both property owners and contractors look at an insurance claims as "Winning the Lotto".

Anyone can read Subchapter F. Prohibited Conduct, sec. 4101 & 4102, but it's much easier to go the TDI website and under FAQ's (as printed May 2014).

12. May a licensed insurance adjuster also be a roofing contractor or provide roofing services? Yes. However, the insurance adjuster may not adjust any losses relating to roofing damage on behalf of an insurer. See Texas Insurance Code Section 4101.251(a).

13. May a licensed public insurance adjuster also be a roofing contractor or provide roofing services? Yes. However, the public insurance adjuster may not directly or indirectly participate in the reconstruction, repair, or restoration of property that is the subject of a claim adjusted by the license holder. See Texas Insurance Code Section 4102.158 (a)(1).

14. May a roofing contractor act as an insurance adjuster or a public insurance adjuster or advertise to adjust claims? Anyone acting as an insurance adjuster or a public insurance adjuster or advertising to adjust claims must hold the appropriate license issued by TDI. However, even a licensed insurance adjuster or public insurance adjuster may not act as such if the individual is providing or may provide roofing services on the subject property. See Texas Insurance Code Sections 4101.251 (b) and 4102.163.

Texas is just trying to reduce insurance fraud. Bottom Line: If you adjust a claim you can't be the contractor on that claim. You can still be a roofing professional, sell roofs, siding, shingles or even solar roof pumps! I hope this helps and reduces the risk of anyone being mistakenly thrown under a bus.

Yes, doing business with the wrong people produces all kinds of bad luck.

One of the biggest roofers around here grew his business extremely rapidly from nothing to I'd guess $20 million/yr in nothing flat. He made a habit of screwing people over at every turn and badmouthing his competitors to get jobs, and lo & behold it has come back to bite him in the butt. Rumor is he's about to be indicted for insurance fraud.

I suspect that some of those he's crossed over the years have helped bad luck visit him.

Although he really doesn't need the sermon, I remind my son frequently that: We will make it or lose it by treating people fairly - if we have to screw people to make money, I'd rather be broke.

Roofguy Said: Some people go their entire career without something big happening for them. Could be bad luck, could be karma.

I don't know if you could just limit that to a career... I think it's life in general. My daughter was almost killed in a motorcycle accident, that's "something big". Some can call it bad luck... Having her survive I looked at it as good luck, (and a precious gift from God).

Yesterday, I received news that "something big" is getting ready to happen to me. You can call it good luck, karma, or several years of hard work. I guess it all depends on how you look at things. I truly believe that people make their own luck... good or bad.

People do what they have to do under the circumstances. I've done a few things in my life that I'm not proud of, I'm sure we all have. Far more often than not, though, I can be counted on to do what is right even if it costs me money. Hopefully without exception.

I, too, learned that lesson early on my my roofing career. My dad landed a 1.5 million sq. ft. roof job because he treated a man fairly over just $100. Just as he finished the 18 month job, baseball sized hail allowed him to do it again.

Some people go their entire career without something big happening for them. Could be bad luck, could be karma.

Thanks Tim for the great advise- Roofing has been my longest "gig" since the 90's. I was taught at a young age, "if something stops being fun, don't do it." Call it a character flaw. I believe that variety is the spice of life! When chopping glass, foam & coating stopped being fun I sold and went into adjusting. When adjusting stops being fun I'll probably move onto something else. If my solar roof pump manufacturing company is no longer fun I'll sell and move on as well. Maybe I'll work for a manufacturing company in sales or buy a car wash, who knows?

Life to me is an exciting adventure and being an entrepreneur is a blast. When I close my eyes for the last time I'll know I did everything I ever wanted to do.

No problem, I'm here to help.

You have a lot of ability. You are able to accumulate credentials quickly, which tells me you're probably a quick study. You could go a long way in the roofing industry if you coupled that ability to learn complex concepts quickly, with the desire to establish long-term business relationships rather than needing to find a new gig every year.

I appreciate your concerns and continued efforts to make sure all my paper work including my "change of address" is properly filed with TDI. I had a long conversation with Melissa yesterday and forwarded off the email you posted on Sunday (As well with Ann in licensing and Norma in legal). I am now really familiar with the new law and am able to help correct erroneous comments or posts when it comes to it. That's why I posted the link to help clear up any misunderstandings when it comes to the new law between adjusting and being a contractor, (and hopefully keep some from having egg on their face). And let not your heart be troubled, I'm still a licensed adjuster in Texas as well as several other states, plus a licensed and bonded roofing contractor.

As far as Karma; Everything I put in to life is coming back in ten-fold and I am very grateful to be blessed. As far as everything else you continually mention; I never felt so famous or important to be stalked like this. You should consider getting some help for this obsession of yours, (just saying). :woohoo:

You mean that big bus that says "Karma" on the side? :-)

You might want to clear it up with TDI, because they think you're no longer licensed as an adjuster in Texas.

...Mr. Adams, I checked the TDI licensing database and Mr. Bryditzki is no longer licensed as an adjuster in Texas...

Melissa Hield Associate Commissioner TDI Consumer Protection 512-322-4349

Ya Tim, I think that bus is following me... most call it stalking ;) I like the insurance side and enjoy adjusting an will continue adjusting here in Texas and still be able to roof when I want. (as long as I don't roof what I adjust).

Nick, perhaps that bus is following you around. :-)

Follow the money. The insurance lobby is well-heeled and well-connected, and this new statute is nothing more than a ruse to protect profits.

I don't expect anyone from the insurance side of the aisle to see it that way.

Roofguy Said: "Clarity seldom exists at TDI... That their website isn't up to speed doesn't surprise me at all..."

Roofguy is correct, their website is not up to speed. The FAQ's page http://www.helpinsure.com/home/documents/unlicensedfaq.pdf is dated way back to May of 2014. I hope this is clear enough and everyone can breathe a sign of relief and not worry about that darn bus!

theroofmedic Said: Many times both property owners and contractors look at an insurance claims as Winning the Lotto.

The law won't change a thing. It is still nothing but a racket.-- Storm chasers armed with their hail reports canvassing neighborhoods--Know nothing adjusters granting claims--And transient day-labor subs slapping on more crappy workmanship. No body cares.

Clarity seldom exists at TDI. All I can tell you is that the 3 people I spoke to at TDI were emphatic that the new statute does not allow adjusters to be involved in roofing. That their website isn't up to speed doesn't surprise me at all - after all, according to TDI records, Nick isn't even a licensed Texas adjuster, and we know that has to be incorrect, right?

Things are not always as they appear...

Few at TDI are even familiar with the new statute. When asked to speak to the statute off-the-cuff, they say little has changed. When you ask them to research it and get back to you, without exception they have said it is now unacceptable to adjust and roof.

Frankly I don't know who is right and who is wrong at this point, but it's a mistake to think it is a black & white issue when even the TDI isn't sure about it.

Clarity over disagreement, the correct direction. B) :) :) B) Deep Down In Florida Where The Sun Shines Damn Near Every Day

To me I enjoy the roofing and the insurance business... I do both... just not at the same time! I help a lot of people being licensed adjuster and a licensed roofing contractor, plus it keeps me very busy. ;)

It's kind of a moot issue if you're no longer a Texas licensed adjuster.