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Selecting a Reputable Roofer

In the aftermath of the recent storms, there is a great deal of concern about homeowners hiring a reputable contractor to do repairs or home construction

Cheyenne, Wyo., (July 27, 2011) - Making plans to replace a damaged roof? Make sure the roofing contractor you select is reputable.

Don't become a victim of disaster fraud. After a natural disaster, professionals often go from door-to-door in effected neighborhoods, offering clean up or repair services. Many of these business people are reputable.Others are not. The dishonest ones may pocket payment without completing the job or use inferior materials and perform shoddy work not up to code.

Word of mouth remains the best way to choose a contractor. Also checking with local Home Builders Association, Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce to make certain a contractor is licensed and has adequate insurance coverage.

State Farm suggests the following

• Call your agent or company as soon as you notice damage to discuss all of your options.
• Only the homeowner can file a claim for damages.
• If your agent or company requests you to do so, follow up your call with a written explanation of what happened.
• Save receipts for what you spend and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.

When selecting a repair company:

• After an insurance adjuster has surveyed the hail damage to your property, select a reputable roofing company or auto body shop to make repairs.
• Allow only the insurance adjuster and roofer you have selected to get up on your roof. Each time someone walks on it, more damage can occur.
• Be wary of out-of-town roofers who move into an area and set up shop following a storm.
• Be sure roofers have workers compensation and liability insurance. If they don't, you may be held liable if one of the workers is injured or if they damage a neighbor's property.
• Don't make final payment to the roofing company until your roof has been inspected and you are satisfied.

Use hail resistive roofing materials. The roof you choose is your home's first line of defense in a storm.

Impact-resistant roofing is available in many forms such as asphalt shingles, concrete tile and metal. While impact-resistant roofing looks the same as roofing material used today, it tends to stand up much better to hail.

Contact your State Farm agent to learn more about the discounts available to you based upon the impact-resistant roofing product you choose.

Contact

Angela M.Thorpe State Farm Insurance, (303) 264-1560

About State Farm®

State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. State Farm's 17,700 agents and more than 67,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - almost 79 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.9 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 31 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.