Roof damage from hail and wind unpaid

After doing some price shopping for insurance, I decided to switch my homeowners insurance to Farmers and my policy began April 24, 2010 (agent Brendt Miller). Two weeks later, May 7, the greater Cleveland (OH) area had a huge storm: 75mph winds, severe hail, and possible tornadoes. Our city was declared a state of emergency and there was millions of dollars in damage in my city alone.

On June 8 my roof was inspected by Farmers adjuster Kirstin Elkins and an independent roofer. Both me and the roofer were told orally by Elkins that the roof was indeed damaged by wind and hail (the hail dents were visible on the roof and I had shingle tabs all over my yard) but due to the age of my roof, the damage would not be covered. My roofer stated he had never heard any such thing and verified that I had full replacement coverage (which I did). At this point I believe Elkins realized that story would not fly. So when I received the letter denying my claim, I was told there was “no damage”. So my roof is old (no disputing that) yet impervious to damage when the much newer roofs all around me were damaged and covered by their insurance companies (1000s of residents in my city received insurance money from the storm). This letter included the portion of my policy pertaining to the roof, which clearly stated that damage from weather and normal wear and tear damage due to aging are treated separately, the former being covered as long as the two can be differentiated. Since aging does not cause hail dents or shingles to fly off the roof, these should be easily differentiated in this case.

On July 20 my policy was illegally canceled in retaliation for me filing the above claim. The reason given (since “retaliation” isn’t a legal reason) was that I don’t live in my house (!?) and that my house was undergoing renovations (I was painting the exterior). I had owned the house (and of course lived in it) the entire time since purchasing it two years prior and still reside there. The “renovations” (painting) do not even require a building permit and therefore should not be considered “renovations” at all. I had received a letter prior to being dropped, warning that my policy would be dropped for the above mentioned reasons. I contacted my agent and he had me jump through hoops to prove I lived there (bringing him mail showing my address, etc). He even wanted to know when I’d be done painting my house. He told me he would take care of the problem and make sure my policy was not dropped. However, when I logged into the website one day to check on the status of the above mentioned claim, I found that I had indeed been dropped several days prior and had no coverage! I emailed him telling him that I believe this is illegal. His response was that it wasn’t his fault and that he was going to take care of it (what he had been saying all along). I immediately went out and got a new insurance policy. I never informed my agent that I had new coverage yet never heard anything from him (or anyone else from Farmers) about reinstating my illegally dropped policy.

On August 26 the roof was re-inspected by adjuster Michael Runyan and a new roofing contractor. This contractor even went through the trouble of circling all the hail dents in chalk and taking photos. I received the same story from Runyan; that my roof was damaged by hail and wind but due to the age of the shingles, would not be covered. This time they were kind enough to write that in the denial letter as well. (So I had two separate stories in writing now).

August 28 I faxed a letter to Farmers asking for appraisal process and mediation before reporting them to the Dept of Insurance. I got an immediate response from Diane Johnston, Runyan’s supervisor. She told me they were investigating my claim. I later received a call from Runyan stating that they were sending me a check for the “undisputed damage” to the roof (consisting of the entire front slope of the roof) while they continued to investigate the rest. I received a check for $1141 (after my $1000 deductible) to cover a total tear down and re-shingle of the front slope of my roof (which isn’t nearly enough to cover it). (Another change in their story).

On October 22 they hired a third party engineering company to inspect the roof for damage (this after their own two adjusters and about three independent contractors have all agreed to the damage). They basically paid this engineering company to state there was no damage to the roof (except to the metal valleys). So now I got yet another story change. Now there is no damage again, AFTER they already paid me for “undisputed damage” to half the roof.

On April 21 I hired an attorney to write a letter to Farmers demanding the remainder of the cost of a roof plus attorney’s fees in settlement, or else I would file a lawsuit for breach of contract, bad faith negotiations, etc, etc, etc. They ignored the letter. May 2 my attorney called and left messages with Runyan and Johnston. Today (May 3) my attorney received a fax from Farmers again refusing to pay for the damage, stating there was only damage to the metal valleys but that they gave me all the money to cover all the shingles on that side of the roof so that they would match (yeah right). They state that due to the deteriorating condition of the rear slope of the roof, they will not pay.

None of their story adds up. The roof was hit equally on both sides, as the storm came from the North and my roof slopes to the East and West. Saying that the shingles didn’t sustain damage but the metal valleys did makes no sense, ESPECIALLY considering the age. How is it that the newer roofs around me sustained damage to their shingles, but my older shingles were not damaged from the hail/wind at all?

Now they have played games so long that in a few days it will be the 1 year anniversary of the storm. I am under the impression that my lawsuit must be filed by then, is that true? I would like to find a lawyer who would take my case on a contingency basis or get in on a class action lawsuit. I just read consumeraffairs.com and saw a ton of people in the same exact boat I am. There should be enough of us to get a class action lawsuit going on roof damage being unpaid.

Today I contacted many attorneys searching for someone who would take my case on contingency or start a class action lawsuit. I have an appt with a new attorney tomorrow who might do it. I also contacted two investigative reporting news stations and sent them my story and several examples from this site and consumer affairs that so closely resemble my own situation. I think our biggest hurdle is finding an attorney who will do a class action lawsuit. There should be plenty of us, and even more even we start looking, who have had roof damage from storms and been a victim of this same exact fraud scheme by Farmers. When all your neighbors are getting roofs and somehow yours magically isn't damaged there's obviously some fraudulent activity going on. When you roof is "too old" and they won't pay for storm damage yet have no problem taking your money every month to cover the roof, there's obviously some fraudulent activity going on. When your policy is mysteriously dropped after you file a claim, something's not right here. There should be enough of us to get the ball rolling. I think we should bring as much media attention to the problem as possible.

I'm a public insurance adjuster. I represent insureds against the insurance company. Please keep me posted on how this works out. Best of luck.

Hello Nina,
My name is Stephanie I'm wondering how this turned out for you. I am in this situation now with Foremost who is thru Farmers, I'm just curious....how has this turned out for you?

I'm currently jumping through the same hoops. What was your outcome??? I HATE Farmer's Insurance Group and would LOVE to be involved in this class action lawsuit!
They keep telling me my roof is "worn". They are dropping my coverage because I filed a legitimate claim that was PAID in Feb 2011 (for wind damage). Reason they're dropping me: "Claims History". Since when does ONE claim fall under excessive!!??

My case was the same farmers refused to fix my roof stated roof are damage fwin

On July 20th, 2012 I contacted Farmers and requested an Insurance Adjuster be sent out to re-inspect our roof (from previous request, 2010, and 2011) and to meet with our independent contractor. I had indicated that the roof is experiencing continuous wind and hail damage, and the roof was beginning to show deterioration. Living in Middle Tennessee we experience major storms from the spring time into the late fall months.

Similar to "Nina's" complaint above, the adjuster did indicate that the roof did have "some" hail and wind damage on the back slope of the house, including the gutters but not enough to warrant a tear–off and replacement of the roof. Now, of course we all know that when hail and wind has occurred in all likely hood large amounts of rain have also fallen. The adjuster did not inspect for water damage because I did not request or state water damage in my claim. All homes on either side of our home have had the roofs replaced, some twice due to damaging winds. Would love to know who they are insured with, certainly is not Farmers.

Now with a leaky back roof we had been forced to pay for a new roof on our own. When our contractor started the tear-off process I wanted to be informed of any problems found once the shingles had been torn off. Surprise was not the word I used, but the pictures I took to prove to our Insurance Representative that Farmers Insurance needs to do a little less picking in people’s pockets, legal extortion and pay out on legitimate claims that the clients are submitting to maintain the most important purchase in people’s lives. Our representative forwarded the complaint and pictures to the regional manager. To date we have not received a verbal, written or email response.

We are considering contacting an attorney and discussing a Class Action Lawsuit as well.

Farmers insurance tries to find excuse not to pay for claim. They are denying my claim for damage to my roof which was caused after a storm.

I am going through the exact same thing with Farmers right now. So frustrating.

Going through the same thing with the Farmer's group. I had already dropped them & hired another company & then received an cancel from them. Been with this company for over 20 yrs & this is how they treat their customers. I have had 2 claims & have had to fight for everything I received from them. They don't have to fight for my payments. What's the since of having insurance? I hope this Class Action is still going on because I want in.

I am in same boat. They admit damage but refuse to cover it. On my policy I have full Replacement Cost but that does not mean anything to Farmers . They just totally refused to do anything. They are frauds.

I'm in the same boat. We had shingles torn off our roof from the wind storm we had in January, we filed the claim the very next day and were still having different adjusters sent from Farmers to get more opinions. We even hired an adjuster outside of Farmers. The roofing contractor (who I don't think is even licensed!) that farmers sent out didn't even go to the top of the roof! Yet he states that there aren't any valley metals in between the dormers in the front of the house. He has no right to state that because he didn't even go onto the roof where the dormers are located. I do admit we have an older roof but the wind has ripped off shingles causing our roof to let water seep inside. They are trying to give us a check for 5,000 and say that is enough for the roof repairs.
The roof contractor supposedly works for Kish Construction and Roofing Co.Inc. I looked that company up and it says that they only have 1 employee working there and it just doesn't match up.


I want in!

Same for me , I was told by adjuster that my roof was too old and that farmers can no do anything about it. I even ask if they could send a second adjuster and the same story with that person. I eventually gave up, and now because of farmers insurance my roof is leaking bad. I will never trust farmers insurance ever again. Farmers ins is a bad company I will not recommend to anyone.

I am feeling the pain of everyone on here. I have been insured with them for eleven years. Contacted them several times due to roof damage and although my premiums go up they have never once done anything for me other than to tell me how to "patch the whole in my son's bedroom ceiling quickly and easily at little cost, but no, the roof is fine. That water leak was just a freak thing."

I now have a waterfall down my built in book shelves. I am so frustrated and very curious to hear if there is a lawsuit happening.

IN TEXAS FYI,

A Settlement has been reached with certain Insurance Exchanges and Providers (“the Defendants”) in a class action lawsuit about the pricing and marketing of homeowners and automobile insurance policies. A complete list of Defendants is available at www.TexasFarmersSettlement.com. The Settlement provides payments to eligible policyholders.

I have Spanish tile and Farmer only want to pay for the tiles that's are bad I don't find them any more so farmers are saying sorry can help

and they charge 1% deductible

My name is stated above and I have been told the exact same story by Farmers. Wind and hail damage, almost 90 broken shingles on a 19 year old roof and they say the deductible which is 1% of their "rebuild value" which is about 20 thousand dollars more than my house is worth.

So with an 1890 Dollar deductible they say they would pay for a Repair that would not even equal the deductible. So I'm out of pocket for all of it.

This company is predatory and unscrupulous in the way they conduct business and should be sued.

I've been trying to get my claim processed since 4/24/2017. Public Adjusters and Attorneys aren't interested in helping. I live in RURAL RURAL big empty of Texas. I don't have access to "contractors" and "public adjusters". I have literally spoken to DOZENS of attorneys, contractors, n public adjusters who have all refused to help me because my home is only valued at $100k & I am an hour away from any major cities. My building damages were paid at 50% of what Farmers Adjuster estimated which does not include 1/2 the actual damage. Farmers said I will get the rest when I all repairs are made by a qualified contractor. I'm in the process of filing a suit on my own. I completed 4 semesters of Law School. I do not welcome the experience but I cannot and will not allow someone to steal from me without a fight. Thanks for all you do. Any advice is appreciated.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2018 10:38PM by administrator.

I have the same problem from the Insurance Adjuster Terry Casteel, of Greenville, TN. He is a liar and a crook. Same exact story. His number is 423-257-4648. I would like a lawyer or government agency to investigate Farmers of Tennessee.

Farmers has been most uncooperative. They said normal wear and tear. Age.
The terrible monsoon winds & rains (winds 65 miles an hour) blistered the shingles because I had the shingles re glued a few years prior saved them from all being blown off. Monsoon storms we had this summer 2018 were the most
damaging in a century. There are still home with out shingle or damaged like mine.

Farmers sent two adjusters out and they still will not replace my roof!

With the High premiums I pay, why should I pay for aribitration or lawyers!!!

They should change there TV ads that say WE COVERED THAT!!!!!

Liars. Farmers Insurance, Sun City West, Arizona

3 contractors gave estimates and stated roof was not repairable. Allstate sent 2 different adjusters that said the roof was to old, but we had bought the home less than a year before the storm and had an inspection done by Allstate that said the roof was fine and acceptable. But yet when I need them they denied the claim stating it was too old. They also refused to pay water damage inside caused by roof leak. Would love to do a Class Action against Allstate. I surely can't afford to get attorney after having to pay for a new roof thanks to Allstate. You're not in good hands with Allstate!!!