When you think about hail damage in Texas, many of you probably think about the hail storm that hit the Dallas area a few months back. However, Dallas isn’t the only city in Texas ravaged by a severe hail storm recently. McAllen, Texas, is still suffering the effects of not one, but two hail storms that passed through in March and April.

HailWatch – a weather data provider – estimated that about 74,000 homes were possibly affected by the March 29, 2012 hail storm and 129,116 homes during the April 20, 2012 storm. There were even reports of hurricane-level winds in some areas.

As KGBT Action 4 News reported less than a month ago, lots of the hail damage is far from being repaired.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=JbNyAgpgRuY%3Frel%3D0

Unfortunately, storms like these that happen infrequently can open up residents to scams from roofers and contractors looking to make a quick buck. In fact, news outlets in the Hidalgo County area have already reported many such scams. One thing roofers and contractors sometimes do is attempt to negotiate an insurance settlement on behalf of the insured, which the Texas Department of Insurance strictly forbids them from doing. Negotiating an insurance settlement is the Public Adjuster’s domain, and they are licensed by the State of Texas to do just that. If a roofer or contractor tells you they are going to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, take your business elsewhere right away.

Fortunately, insurance companies have been taking care of their customers for the most part. Once you get your insurance money, I strongly suggest you research any roofer you’re thinking about hiring. Be diligent and ask about that roofer’s warranties and guarantees. This is doubly true for any out-of-town roofers and contractors. And it is very important to get everything in writing.

I know the good people of the Valley are a friendly and trusting group, usually relying solely on a handshake to make deals. However, with so many non-Valley roofers and contractors looking for work related to the hail storm, it is particularly important to document everything. Although most of the out-of-towners are also good folks, there are certainly “bad apples” in any group, and neither you nor I wants you to be a victim of one of the “bad apples.”