My Insurance Company Said I Need Three Estimates

I have recently had a few customer tell me that their adjuster told them to "make sure you get three estimates and don't show your insurance to any roofer no matter what".  First, the adjuster cannot make or request you do either of these.  Second, they are actively helping you get a lower quality roofer for a cheap price.

When you have an RCV policy, the insurance company estimates the proper cost of that job.  It is not a number that is pulled out of thin air.  It is based on tens of thousands of closed claims.  Their database uses the law of large numbers to figure out what the items should cost and they are not going to estimate a penny more than necessary.  After all, your roof comes out of their pocket.  Because of this, they are hoping you submit to them 3 estimates.  If your carrier estimates $21,000 for replacement cost of your roof, and you submit three estimates of $23,000, $21,500, and $18,750, which one do you think they are going to encourage you to use?  More importantly, why is one roofer so cheap?  Is he using low quality materials?  Is he insured?  Has he been a roofer for more than a week?  Even more importantly than that, your only out of pocket cost is your deductible.  So, if you have to pay the same amount anyway, wouldn't you want the best roof you can get?  Of course you would.  That often corresponds with a higher price.

The example I always give is repair work on your car.  If you had a brand new Ferrari, and someone ran into the side of it, would you go price shop for the cheapest job?  No.  You wouldn't.  You would pay your deductible to your carrier and take it to the Ferrari body shop because they do the best work on the vehicle.  That's why you have insurance.

Roofing is exactly the same. Don't price shop for your carrier.  Get the scope.  Show your roofer.  Get the best roof you can.