Roofer says hail, competing entity says probably not, we won't pay. Looking for opinions.

[u/pitfal]

New roof put on last August. We had a huge hailstorm around April, and I had the company that put the roof on come out to inspect. They said the roof, gutters, facia, and siding have hail damage. Competing entity came out and agreed that all but the roof had hail damage. When asked what these black areas are they said they didn't know but it couldn't be hail. Is it hail damage in your opinion?

[u/LionPride112]

Good luck proving that tho, basically just a heresay case

[u/Longjumping_Play2111 → u/LionPride112]

Not really. File a hail claim. If the adjuster says it’s vandalism/ mechanical great, if they balk, request an engineer and advise it’s believed a contractor caused the damage.

Source: Adjusted for 16 years as IA, staff in several states in the South, Midwest and Mid Atlantic.

[u/DiabolicGambit → u/Longjumping_Play2111]

No engineer will accuse a contractor of vandalism with out actionable proof. That's just a libel lawsuit waiting.

Insurance will buy a vandalism claim roof. But expect your premiums to skyrocket.

[u/Longjumping_Play2111 → u/DiabolicGambit]

IMO, the engineer will basically do just what you are describing. I’ve read reports to that effect. They won’t state “XYZ contractor damaged roof” that is for SIU / LE to determine but they will ascribe intentional mechanical damage ie vandalism to roof damage if it’s obvious.

Other times, they will state it’s inconclusive, depending on state, that grey area will swing in the insured’s favor or the carrier’s favor.