RCV : $18,892.20 (Roof Replacement)
ACV : $12,996.40 (Roof Replacement)
Carrier Estimate: $ 4,168.34 (Roof Repair)
I have lost the count of times I have blogged about Repair Vs Replacement argument on roof claims.
Roofs become unrepairable after about 5-7yrs of installation due to the following reasons:
- Repairability : Shingles usually becomes brittle after being exposed to the heat and cold and changing seasons. When you try to perform a repair on the damaged shingle, it will break the next one, then the next one and the next one. This happens until the entire roof will have to be replaced.
- Matching : Shingles are like clothing, the manufactures switch out colors, textures, thickness and even materials over the year. Several reasons contribute to this – Advanced Materials, available of raw materials and simply older patterns go out of trend
- Algae Growth and Fading : Even if you were to find the exact same shingles, the possibility of anything that has been sitting in the weather for more than 5 yrs to match a brand new item is next to impossible. The shingles on your roof will be faded with algae growth, blistering etc. You will never be able to reach a uniform appearance mixing new and old shingles.
This appraisal was a classic case of the Repair vs Replacement argument. The carrier did a sample matching using a third-party vendor called ITEL ( ITEL take a sample of the shingles and provide a report of matching or comparable products. However my opinion is that the ITEL is biased, because almost all other business comes from the carriers). This case showed a matching on ITEL.
Once I took a look at the file, it was clear that the shingles will not be matching. I went down to the roofing supply store, purchased the product that was the closest match. Upon lying it down on the roof itself, the difference was very visible. This was documented and reported to the carrier, who now had no other option, but to replace the whole roof.
This we added one more win to the Repair Vs Replace argument adding to the more than 200 similar wins in my last 4 yrs.
