Insurance Claim Projects

We streamline the entire insurance claim process so you don’t have to lift a finger to restore your roof.

We work with all home insurance companies to provide homeowners a streamlined process for filing insurance claims and getting repair or re-roofing work done. We provide insurance agents and companies with all of the required documentation that they need upfront. This empowers homeowners, shortens the claim cycle, and allows NewRüf.com to restore the roof faster.

We occasionally utilize drone inspections which are analyzed using an advanced algorithm that identifies problem areas better than the human eye. This report gives you drone imagery in an amazingly detailed damage, measurement, and claims report with photos and videos for your records. We also come prepared, advocating for you by providing you historical data for your exact address.

25 Point Inspection – HITEK Inspection

We conduct a thorough property inspection of your home or your commercial building to determine the damage to the following:

• Interior
• Attic
• Roof
• Decking
• Rain gutters and downspouts
• Fence
• Window screens
• Window beading and window glass
• Garage doors

We will provide you with a NEWTEK 360 report with videos and photos, which may later be submitted to your insurance company. ​

Insurance Claims & Deductibles

Since 1989, waiving insurance policy deductibles has become a common practice throughout the state of Texas. However, by waiving these deductibles, many contractors have knowingly broken the 1989 statute put in place . These individuals are known as “deductible eaters,” and the suspects are primarily composed of roofing contractors.

Through promises such as a free roof inspection or replacement, many homeowners have been convinced to sign on with these deductible eaters. Unfortunately, this can lead to the homeowners unknowingly committing insurance fraud!

After submitting a request with their policy for a replacement cost (RCV) hold-back, the insurance company was not made aware that the deductible part of the claim had not been sustained. This means that before the new law, a roofing job where a deductible was normally waived or forgiven would be required as an out-of-pocket expense and proof that it was paid before an insurer will pay the RCV hold-back. This means serious trouble for unknowing homeowners, and have put many in uncomfortable situations trying to get coverage for needed roofing repairs.

However, a new bill out of the 86th Texas Legislature was signed into law during 2019. The aim was to solve or minimize the abuses outlined above by deductible eaters. This new law, titled Payment of Insurance Deductible, went into effect September 1, 2019. It is located in Chapter 707 of the Texas Insurance Code, with the first paragraph stating that “a person insured under a property insurance policy shall pay any deductible applicable to a first-party claim made under the policy” See Tex. Ins. Code §707.002.

Although this has always been the law, this policy has often been ignored or violated due to lack of enforcement. However, the new law states that a violation occurs if a contractor: pays for, waives, absorbs, rebates, credits or offsets, or otherwise assists the insured in any other manner in avoiding the financial payment of the required insurance deductible. A violation also occurs if the contractor knowingly provides a good or service that the insured will pay for without the insurer’s consent to do so.

Violating this law makes individuals subject to a Class B misdemeanor offense, which can result in 180 days in a county jail and a fine of up to $2000. This includes both: A business who sells goods or services to provide such a good or service in a prohibited manner (known as a violating contractor), a policyholder who is insured and commits an offense if the person, in connection with a first party claim knowingly submits or allows a claim to be submitted in violation of subsection c. This applies unless the insured person promptly notifies the insurer of the violation.

Another important provision to note is located in Section 707.004, known as Reasonable Proof of Payment. This clause states that an insurer may decide to refuse to pay for a claim until they receive proof that a deductible has been paid for by the policyholder. This proof, known as “reasonable proof” is defined as: a “canceled check, money order under receipt, credit card statement, or copy of an executed installment plan contract or other financing arrangement that requires full payment of the deductible over time.” (Tex. Ins. Code §707.004.)

In addition, the law amends the Texas Business and Commerce Code. Under this section, the law states that a reasonable contract is expected to be paid in full or in part from the proceeds of the claim made under a property insurance policy to provide a good or service of more than $100 must contain the following in a 12 point font: “Texas law requires a person insured under a property insurance policy to pay any deductible applicable to a claim made under the policy. It is a violation of this Texas law for a person or business paid wholly or partly from proceeds of a property insurance claim to knowingly allow the insured person to fail to pay. Or assist the insured person’s failure to pay, the applicable insurance deductible. See SECTION 2. Business & Commerce Code, is amended to read as follows: Section 27.02. “Goods or Services Paid for by Insurance Proceeds: Payment of Deductible Required”

Finally, the law states that the Texas Insurance Commission will be responsible for the creation of a program to educate consumers about the new law. It states that the commission “shall develop and implement an education program relating to the payment of property insurance deductible.” There are mandatory principles that the program must contain, designed to further inform citizens and contractors, minimizing offenses against this law.