Way OT: Need info on homeowner's insurance and hail damage to siding

 Hi Kenhud1:

Thank you for your honest opinion.  I am always opened to suggestions.  I will withdraw my suggestion to Lora.  

Tess

 Lora:

I hope everything turns out for you favorably on your roof.  My suggestion was questioned so I will withdrawn my solution.  I read all the posts daily here on OH and always enjoy reading yours.  I thought I could help you in your situation but obviously not.  I will always try to walk the honest pathway, even though I may fail sometimes.  

Tess

I second the motion to get a public adjuster.
I know someone who lost a few pieces off one side of the house. Because they could not match it, insurance paid for all new siding as well as a roof. Just finished putting it up. Looks real nice.
This was a homeowner, but have seen the same scenario with a lot of landlords. An adjuster made all the difference.
Don't be afraid of the costs of an adjuster. They usually get you more than you can get yourself. For example, if you had a fire, would they just prime and paint the walls? A public adjuster would know that an intense fire probably melted the insulation on your wiring and it needs to be replaced.
Remember that in the insurance industry they can get awards for denying claims.

My siding was 30 years old aluminum.  I have people finishing my new siding as I type this.  It was from a storm April 28th.  First adjuster said the damage was 1900 dollars and wanted to put new siding in place of the damaged that did not match and paint it to match the faded color of the siding. Painting would have voided the warranty on the new sheets of siding.   I disagreed but they closed my claim and sent me a check.  My contractor argued and had someone come back out with a supervisor to make decisions quicker.  The contractor brought out a piece of what they said was similar siding when the second adjuster was here and showed it didn't match.  It was the front of the house that was damaged they walked the house and saw where it would be likely to be a problem in the future and wrote it up to cover the cost of new siding by saying they would patch the damaged areas and paint but what I did with the money was my decision.  It was enough to cover vinyl siding.

In the state of Ohio you have to be able to match.  What they want to do to your house is not a match.  They are counting on you giving up the fight.   Do you have a contractor who can help fight this for you?   They know the laws better.   The insurance company didn't listen to me but they did to him.  It took two months of a tarp over an open attic but I didn't give up and neither should you. 

Lora,

I agree with the other posts with regard to obtaining a good contractor who knows how to fight this battle for you OR hiring a public adjuster as an advocate for you.  About 11 years ago, I had damage to my house and I was being railroaded by Nationwide, when we couldn't agree, the just flat out closed my file and would not respond to my inquiries.

I hired a public adjuster (who in his former life had been an adjuster for more than a few of the larger insurance companies) and I was more than happy to pay his fee (which was not unreasonable) as he got my case opened again and my house was repaired to my satisfaction!  Best money I ever spent!  Could never have accomplished this on my own.

Good luck,
d