Insurance Claims Assistance

Step 1: We document. Free on-site assessment within 48 hours of the storm. ASCE/HAAG-standard hail documentation, slope-by-slope wind documentation, soft-metal verification, code-upgrade items identified. Written report within 24 hours, Xactimate-compatible scope of work.

Step 2: You file. We give you the documentation package and the carrier's claim phone number / app. You file in your name — we never file in our name because that triggers assignment-of-benefits issues that some carriers slow-walk.

Step 3: Adjuster assignment. Most NJ carriers assign within 24-72 hours. Carrier inspection (in-person, drone, or photo-based) within 5-14 days.

Step 4: Adjuster meeting. We attend at no charge if the adjuster comes in person. Walk the roof together, demonstrate damage with photos and physical probe, align on test-square placement (hail) or lifted-tab counts (wind), point out missing code items.

Step 5: Initial estimate review. Adjuster issues an Xactimate scope of loss. We compare it line-by-line to ours, flag missing items and pricing variances, and prepare supplement documentation for anything missed.

Step 6: Supplement filing. Most NJ carriers accept supplements via email or carrier portal. Photos, code references, and HAAG methodology citations get approved at a much higher rate than vague disputes.

Step 7: Final scope approval + work. Once the carrier approves final scope, we accept direct billing or assignment-of-benefits as the carrier allows. Homeowner pays only their deductible (or the percentage-based wind/hail deductible if separate).

Step 8: Depreciation recovery. After work is complete, the carrier releases the depreciation (the difference between ACV and RCV) on receipt of final invoice + photo documentation. All parties paid.

NJM Insurance (NJ-only, common for ex-state-employee policyholders). Strong customer-service reputation. Adjusters typically accept HAAG-standard hail documentation without push-back. Supplement turnaround usually 5-7 days.

State Farm. Largest NJ carrier. Tends to write tight initial estimates; supplements common but get approved when documented. Watch for 'Like Kind and Quality' shingle matching language and the matching statute argument.

Allstate. Standard process. Pays attention to mat-fracture documentation on hail claims — thumbnail probe demonstrations during the meeting work well. ACV vs RCV depends on policy class.

Liberty Mutual. Frequently uses third-party adjusters (Crawford, Pilot Catastrophe). Pre-meeting documentation matters more here because the third-party may have less time on-site. Standardized supplement format works best.

Travelers. Strict on code items — they typically approve drip edge, ice & water shield, and ridge vent supplements without much push-back if cited to NJ Uniform Construction Code references.

Plymouth Rock. Common coastal-NJ carrier (Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, Ocean counties). Wind/hail deductibles often percentage-based. Tends to scope strictly on ASCE/HAAG methodology — sometimes denies marginal-density hail. Strong supplement documentation matters here.

USAA / Selective / Chubb / others. Each has its own quirks. We've worked with all of them on NJ claims over the years — happy to walk you through the process for your specific carrier.

Drip edge (NJ code R905.2.8.5). Required at eaves and rakes on every reroof. Many adjusters skip it in the initial estimate because it's not damaged — but code requires it on the new install. Documented supplement: 'Drip edge required by NJ UCC R905.2.8.5 on reroof; verify in scope.' Usually approved.

Ice & water shield (NJ code R905.1.2). Required for the first 24" past the inside wall plane at every eave; required in valleys and around penetrations. We extend to 36" in Sussex / Warren / Hunterdon snow zones. Often missed in initial scopes.

Ridge vent / attic ventilation. Required for shingle warranty validity (GAF Golden Pledge, CertainTeed SureStart Plus, Owens Corning Platinum). If existing ventilation is inadequate, replacement scope needs to add ridge vent and soffit intake balance — not always in initial scope.

Step flashing rebuild. When shingles are replaced at sidewalls, step flashing must be rebuilt to manufacturer spec — the existing step flashing can't be reused with new shingles. Common scope miss on partial-slope replacements.

Matching statute (N.J.A.C. 11:2-42.9). NJ's matching statute requires 'reasonable uniformity of appearance' on like-kind-and-quality repairs. If shingles can't be matched (discontinued color, batch variation), the matching statute supports full-slope or full-roof replacement supplements.

Detached structures + appurtenances. Detached garages, sheds, pool houses, and detached canopies often have separate coverage limits in NJ policies. Storm damage to these gets missed when adjusters focus on the main dwelling.