After a recent hailstorm we contacted USAA since we have homeowners insurance with them. USAA sent out an adjustor who gave us an estimate and since the roof was 10 years old, it was also depreciated 1000. (Other people on the street who have USAA were sent an adjustor along with a roofer who was giving high estimates.) We only had an adjustor.
The adjustor gave us an estimate and told us that we would receive our depreciation after we had the work done. We received a check minus our deductible and minus the depreciation and again were told that we would recieve our depreciation check when we had the work done.
Meanwhile, we had 4 estimates from roofing companies. The first three estimates were pretty close to what USAA gave us.By the time the 4th estimate was made, competition was at a peak and we found a reputable roofing company who would do it for what USAA sent us plus the anticipated and promised 1000 depreciation. We had the roof replaced and informed USAA and told the adjustor how much we paid. He told us to fax him the invoice and we would get our 1000. We did and he called back and said that "we don't deserve the 1000 since we had it done for cheaper than they estimated." They refuse to honor what they said and won't pay us what they promised and what we feel they owe us. We made no money on the claim.
The roofing company absorbed the deductible in the cost of the roof and USAA got mad and probably is embarassed that we shopped around and that their estimator did not. So, in essence, we are being punished for being honest and for taking advantage of the price competition that was going on in our neighborhood. We had to pay the roofer 1000 out of our own pocket since USAA refused to give us our "recoverable depreciation". Take heed: apprise your roofer of this practice that USAA uses and he will know how to deal with USAA. Other people on our street did not have any out of pocket expenses —even USAA insured people - USAA is not about to let anyone get a roof without being penalized some amount of money. And don't count on them sending you your "recoverable depreciation". They will find a way to cheat you out of it.
0 comments