Happy 2024, roofing enthusiasts! Patrick Carr here, bringing you the latest and greatest from the world of roofing in our first episode of the year. As always, if you’re loving our content, smash that like button to keep these updates coming!
Section 1: Badger’s Corner – The Great Debate This week kicked off with a fiery debate at Badger’s Corner. We saw insurance lawyer Steve Badger and ex-roofer/public adjuster Matthew Mulholland lock horns over the contentious issue of “concurrent damage.” While Steve laid out his views in his typically straightforward manner, Matthew offered a compelling counterpoint. Public adjusters, we’re looking at you to weigh in on this heated discussion!
Steve Badger’s Perspective on Concurrent Damage Steve Badger, an insurance industry lawyer, shared his insights on the concept of “concurrent damage.” Here’s a breakdown of his key points:
- Example of an Old Roof: Badger illustrates his point using the example of an old, deteriorating roof. He explains that if such a roof is entirely damaged by hail, the insurance company is liable for the damages. It’s a straightforward case where the hail is the sole cause of damage.
- Partial Damage Scenario: The complexity arises when only a part of this old roof is damaged – say, just a few hail strikes damaging a handful of tiles. If these tiles were on a well-maintained roof, they could be easily replaced. However, on an old roof, attempting repairs might cause further damage due to the roof’s fragile condition.
- Concurrent Causation Doctrine: In such cases, according to Badger, the insurance company’s responsibility is limited to the directly damaged tiles, not the entire roof. This is based on the doctrine of concurrent causation.
- Repairability Issue: Badger emphasizes that the insurance is only liable for the directly hail-damaged tiles. If the rest of the roof crumbles during the repair due to its pre-existing poor condition, that’s considered a wear and tear issue, not covered by the insurance.
In summary, Steve Badger’s stance is that insurance should cover the direct damages caused by an insurable event (like hail) but not the additional damages resulting from pre-existing wear and tear, even if these are revealed or exacerbated during the repair process.
Matthew Mulholland’s Counterpoint Matthew Mulholland, coming from a background as a roofer and public adjuster, offered a different take. He acknowledged that while repairability issues must be considered, any unavoidable damage caused during the repair of insured damage should also be covered under the policy.
This nuanced debate between Steve Badger and Matthew Mulholland underscores the complexity of insurance claims in the roofing industry, especially when dealing with older roofs and partial damage scenarios. It’s a classic clash of perspectives: the insurance company’s focus on limiting liability versus the adjuster’s advocacy for broader coverage.
Section 2: Winter Warnings – Don’t Try This at Home! Moving on to some seasonal silliness, we’ve got our “That Was Dumb” segment showcasing people trying to rid their roofs of snow in the most bizarre ways. A word to the wise: don’t replicate these frosty follies at home. Safety first, folks!
Section 3: Future of Roofing – Color-Changing Tiles Innovation alert! UC Santa Barbara researchers have developed a groundbreaking roofing tile that changes color with temperature. This ‘wax motor’ technology – no electricity needed – could revolutionize roofing materials. The tile turns white in heat, reducing AC costs, and black in cool temperatures, cutting heating expenses. Though still in development, these tiles are a game-changer, using significantly less energy than traditional materials.
Section 4: Speed Round – Industry Movers and Shakers
- TAMKO and the Chiefs: TAMKO’s strategic partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs is a touchdown for their brand visibility.
- Beacon’s Branch Boom: Beacon’s expansion with 26 new branches in the past year signals their growing dominance.
- Acquisition Alley: Big moves in the industry with First Service Corporation acquiring Roofing Corp of America and Cornerstone Building Brands purchasing Eastern Architectural Systems.
- Dunes Point Capital’s New Venture: Launching Roofing Services Solutions and acquiring Nolands Roofing, Dunes Point Capital is now a player to watch in the roofing realm.
Section 5: Crime Watch – Thefts and Threats In Louisville, Kentucky, the hunt is on for the thief who swiped equipment from Cervices Roofing. Meanwhile, in South Dakota, Mitchell Roofing and Siding owner Cory Cummings faces charges for felony drug possession and alarming threats. Stay tuned for updates on these developing stories.
Conclusion: A Year of Promises and Pitfalls 2024 is shaping up to be a year of dynamic debates, innovative advancements, and eyebrow-raising incidents in the roofing industry. Stay connected for more updates!
