False Claim by Roofing Contractor!!

[PhillipV]

Well... we had to have our roof repaired due to a hail storm last summer. A neighbor recommended a large roofing contractor. When we first met, I made it clear that we would be unable to pay anything out of pocket... including our $500 deductible. He said we'd "move the numbers around to handle the deductible".

The work has since been completed. I called him this evening to tell him we received the final insurance check. He said we still owed our $500 deductible. He actually said he never heard me say we couldn't pay any out of pocket costs. I'm completely amazed by this guy!! I've spoken with a couple of neighbors who used the same company, including the neighbor who referred them. They all say the salesman gave them the same story about dealing with their deductibles.

This is beyond outrageous!! There's got to be some type of consumer protection in place to guard against false claims. I'm going to speak with my insurance company on Monday.

Anyone have a similar situation, or possibly some advice?

 

[golfgal]

Well, first, I would be hesitant to call your insurance company because the roofing company "moving numbers around" is insurance fraud and you are going to end up in a court battle (as a "witness") over that. I WOULD call your state contractors licensing board. They will be VERY interested in their business practices and will investigate.

 

[tlmdisney]

I might be mistaken but I do believe that the agreement between you and the contractor to move around the numbers so that you do not have to pay the deductible is illegal. I would not be so quick to report this to the arrangement to the insurance company.

 

[AKL_Megs]

ILLEGAL not to pay your deductible. YOU are responsible for that, and you knew that going in and when you decided to make a claim.

 

[PhillipV]

Well, first, I would be hesitant to call your insurance company because the roofing company "moving numbers around" is insurance fraud and you are going to end up in a court battle (as a "witness") over that. I WOULD call your state contractors licensing board. They will be VERY interested in their business practices and will investigate.

Good advice. I wonder if I have any power to hold back the final payment until the issue is resolved?

 

[golfgal]

You really should have got it on writing. Now, it's your word against theirs, unfortunately. I don't think there is much you can do at this point.

ETA: I didn't see you were using insurance to pay. ILLEGAL not to pay your deductible. YOU are responsible for that, and you knew that going in and when you decided to make a claim.

A company can waive a deductible legally but in this case it sounds like they padded the estimate.

Good advice. I wonder if I have any power to hold back the final payment until the issue is resolved?

I would ask when you talk to the licensing board but I certainly wouldn't admit to insurance fraud.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

It will be your word against theirs about "negotiating no deductible out of pocket" and unfortunately if you file a complaint, your insurance company is going to be looking at you as well. Play this out, you claim they said they could do it, they say you asked about doing it. Either way, the insurance company is not going to like the situation, do you want to risk insurance fraud?

If you cannot afford a $500 deductible (which is low for what most people should have on homeowner's anyway), you need to consider your insurance coverage overall.

 

[Ceila]

Well... we had to have our roof repaired due to a hail storm last summer. A neighbor recommended a large roofing contractor. When we first met, I made it clear that we would be unable to pay anything out of pocket... including our $500 deductible. He said we'd "move the numbers around to handle the deductible".

The work has since been completed. I called him this evening to tell him we received the final insurance check. He said we still owed our $500 deductible. He actually said he never heard me say we couldn't pay any out of pocket costs. I'm completely amazed by this guy!! I've spoken with a couple of neighbors who used the same company, including the neighbor who referred them. They all say the salesman gave them the same story about dealing with their deductibles.

This is beyond outrageous!! There's got to be some type of consumer protection in place to guard against false claims. I'm going to speak with my insurance company on Monday.

Anyone have a similar situation, or possibly some advice?

This is a joke, right? Because if not it's insurance fraud.

 

[handinpocket]

Well... we had to have our roof repaired due to a hail storm last summer. A neighbor recommended a large roofing contractor. When we first met, I made it clear that we would be unable to pay anything out of pocket... including our $500 deductible. He said we'd "move the numbers around to handle the deductible".

The work has since been completed. I called him this evening to tell him we received the final insurance check. He said we still owed our $500 deductible. He actually said he never heard me say we couldn't pay any out of pocket costs. I'm completely amazed by this guy!! I've spoken with a couple of neighbors who used the same company, including the neighbor who referred them. They all say the salesman gave them the same story about dealing with their deductibles.

This is beyond outrageous!! There's got to be some type of consumer protection in place to guard against false claims. I'm going to speak with my insurance company on Monday.

Anyone have a similar situation, or possibly some advice?

The rule.

 

[pyrxtc]

Good advice. I wonder if I have any power to hold back the final payment until the issue is resolved?

The only issue that would be resolved is you in jail for insurance fraud and becoming un-insurable for the rest of your life.

 

[RitaZ.]

Good advice. I wonder if I have any power to hold back the final payment until the issue is resolved?

He could put a lien on your house for non-payment. I don't see how you're going to avoid paying the $500.

You said that your neighbors got the same story from the salesman. Did they have to pay their deductible? How did they handle the problem?

 

[Allison]

I find this thread ironic. You want consumer protection to protect you from what sounds to be a less than above board agreement in the first place?

Wouldn't the fraud come into play by manipulating the bill so you didn't have to pay your deductible?

 

[Jennasis]

You can't afford a $500 deductible?? It doesn't get any cheaper than that. Something smells rotten on both ends here.

I think the best move is to see if he'll let you split the deductible up into a couple of monthly payments.

 

[wdwfam]

I guess I am totally confused that you weren't able or willing to pay the $500 deductible. How did you think you were going to have anyone replace it without paying that?

 

[PhillipV]

ILLEGAL not to pay your deductible. YOU are responsible for that, and you knew that going in and when you decided to make a claim.

Did I really?! If I knew as much as you seem to... I'd be a genius. Please take your unwanted comments elsewhere. Thanks so much.

 

[RitaZ.]

I find this thread ironic. You want consumer protection to protect you from what sounds to be a less than above board agreement in the first place?

Agreed.

 

[Sanchez]

You can't afford a $500 deductible?? It doesn't get any cheaper than that. Something smells rotten on both ends here.

I think the best move is to see if he'll let you split the deductible up into a couple of monthly payments.

It's all those stays at the Grand Floridian.

 

[MoniqueU]

Yeah, this thread isn't going to end well and it is already heading in that direction. Put on your flame retardent panties OP.

 

[Jennasis]

It's all those stays at the Grand Floridian.

Yep...he has a stay planned there THIS December. I have an idea where he could scrounge up that $500.

 

[marlynnp]

ILLEGAL not to pay your deductible. YOU are responsible for that, and you knew that going in and when you decided to make a claim.

Did I really?! If I knew as much as you seem to... I'd be a genius. Please take your unwanted comments elsewhere. Thanks so much.

She's right. And you deserve to get busted for insurance fraud.

Genius??? Is your IQ actually larger than your shoe size?