re: Need some advice with replacing a roof on a home.

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A year ago, you could do this exact same thing and find a company that would replace the roof to offset your deductible.

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And if your insurance company finds out, you and the roofer go to jail or face a hefty fine. It's called insurance fraud.

Also for those concerned about the contract, I hate it as well...it does come off pushy, sleazy, etc. I fortunately don't have to door knock and try to sign contracts as most of my business comes off of referrals but if you believe, trust, feel comfortable with the person, don't be scared to sign something. They are contingent. If the roof doesn't get approved, tear it up.

The reason for them are if you put yourself in their shoes, they are going to walk your roof (should be free), spend atleast 30 minutes inspecting the roof and another 10 or so talking with you, setting up the claim for you (if you desire them to do so and takes forever), meet the adjuster for the meeting which is usually about 30 minutes (should be free), and stay in contact with the insurance so you don't have to do anything but pick a color. So they spend time and money doing all this (should be for free) to get your roof approved and then you say "O thanks. I appreciate everything you did but I'm going to go with someone else". It's a punch in the gut. It sucks. But only sign if you really feel you can trust this person because there are TONS of irresponsible, sleazy, etc. roofers/sales people.

One other thing: Your deductible. It is a monetary contract between you and your insurance company that you will pay x and they will pay z to put your home back in order. They set the price. It isn't like the old days where you could go get three quotes, pick the cheapest, and pocket the rest. If a roofer does it for cheaper and submits the full amount to the insurance (whether you know or not) you both have committed insurance fraud. There are some legal work arounds to help with the deductible but to just straight "eat it" and submit in full is illegal.

You don't go to a gas station owner and say "hey the guy across the street has his gas for 50 cents cheaper. Can I fill up here at their price?" Don't be that guy.

I’m in Tennessee. I have always heard bad things about Allstate, but recently roofers in my area have said that they have gotten much better at approving claims. One told me they had a change in executives and have done a 180

Talk to friends and family, consult FB, nextdoor, etc, and find someone you fill comfortable with. Have him come look at your roof, he'll advise you on whether you need to file a claim. If you do file a claim, he'll usually meet the adjuster at your house. If is customary to pay a certain amount up front and the remainder on completion. My roofer lives in the neighborhood and does a lot of houses around so it was easy to trust him, but be careful of how much you pay up front.

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If a roofer does it for cheaper and submits the full amount to the insurance (whether you know or not) you both have committed insurance fraud

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I’ve never had to file a claim thank god, but have always wondered what’s stopping people from getting away with stuff like this. Say the adjuster gives $10k for a roof (or whatever damage) with depreciation at $3k. They write you a check for $7k, contractor does the job for $7k, but then submits an invoice for $10k. Your scenario for the deductible works too. It’s fraudulent, but how do insurance companies make sure they’re not getting screwed on releasing that $3k in depreciation, deductible, etc?