When you submit a roofing supplement, it needs to be in good order from the start.
All the information, supplement details, photos and data to back up your initial supplement request needs to be as close to perfect as possible so the insurance underwriter is able to approve it with as little back-and-forth as possible.
If you nail it from the start, you’ll get more approvals in less time.
In addition, it needs to be comprehensive enough to ensure you’re getting the full amount of money you deserve for the work you’ve accomplished.
Here’s how to compile everything you need including all roofing supplement details, by category.
How to Get Started
There are essentially 4 main items you’ll need in order to get started. You need to have pictures, measurements, an adjuster’s report, and a letter of intent.
Let’s talk about each one so you can be confident you have everything you need and won’t need to go back and make changes after your first submission.
Photos
Having proper photos is a huge, huge necessity. But it’s not just about having pictures of the damage or repair, but having the right pictures.
This is why we offer Photo Training at MAX4 - believe it or not, submitting improperly taken pictures can be enough to allow the underwriter to deny a supplement claim. If it doesn’t provide them clarity and confidence in your repair, they won’t accept it.
While you don’t necessarily need a super high quality camera, you definitely do need meticulous images which showcase the exact details of the supplement you’re submitting.
Eagle View
Alongside your photos, you’ll need to include an Eagle View report.
Eagle View is the gold standard authority for measurements and their report will host a certified accurate document containing site views, measurements, and more to help you correctly assess materials, waste and even drop points for supplies.
Because Eagle View is the trusted report for the industry, you, the property owner, the adjuster and the underwriter can all be on the same page from the start. This consistency and conciseness in detail is extremely important for getting your supplement approved.
Adjuster’s Report
Having an Adjuster’s Report is a critical step in making sure you’ve got everything accounted for.
For all projects, simply having the basic dwelling measurements is not enough.
A well written adjuster’s report will have supplemental line items clearly written and described using measurements, quantities, price per unit (including tax), and a description of each item and why it’s needed.
Letter of Intent
This might seem obvious, but the insurance company needs to know you’ve been chosen to complete the job.
A letter of intent is a document signed by the property owner where the job is to be completed, and it should be duly signed by the insurer acknowledging the roofer who will be completing the project. The Letter should have language saying, “the roofer is authorized to speak to the insurance carrier on behalf of the Insured. This is very important so the supplement can move forward without the insured having to be on every phone call.
Why Use A Claims Specialist
In a perfect world, everything mentioned above is all you’re responsible for.
Everything else can be handled by a trained, professional supplement specialist who can draft your Xactimate, file and manage your claim, and keep you busy on the job site and not at your desk.
This means more than half of the roofing supplement process is no longer in your hands.
Write Up Xactimate
In addition to saving you money by paying for the Xactimate software, the creation and submission of the Xactimate will be done by a specialist.
It’ll also be created using your company branding, and written and spoken from both the perspective of the roofer and insurer. This is a key distinction because when the supplement is being reviewed, there’s a significantly smaller chance of it being returned for edits or, worse, denied.
Manage the Claim
Of course, submitting the claim is not the end of the process.
By utilizing a claims specialist, you’ll know your supplement request is being reviewed, communication back and forth between the insurance company is being handled, and all clarifications and supplemental documentation needed will be taken care of.
This saves you time, work, and the hassle and stress of dealing with anything that isn’t fixing, repairing and installing a roof.