An Orange County resident claimed that a roofing company appropriated his insurance claim for nonexistent hail damage, WFTV Action 9 News reported last week.
Tony Annunziato blamed roofer ELR Restoration for a questionable inspection process and for threatening to sue his insurer.
According to Annunziato, his home had a small leak, but the roofing inspector sent by ELR claimed that the damage was much more extensive.
“They said hail damage, there were spots and marks on the shingles,” Annunziato recounted.
He later heard that his insurance could pay for a new roof, but he was asked to approve an Assignment of Benefits to send the reimbursement checks directly to ELR. Annunziato did not think twice about signing his benefits over, excited at the prospect of getting a new roof for “free” (as advertised on ELR’s fliers).
An inspector associated with Annunziato’s insurer later assessed his home and found only normal wear and tear. Complicating matters further, Annunziato discovered that ELR Restoration was taking legal action against his insurer for the new roof.
“That got me riled up. I was upset by that,” he remarked.
Two months ago, an Oviedo homeowner who also assigned his benefits to ELR complained of the very same problem. ELR Restoration similarly asserted that the homeowner’s roof was badly damaged by hail when it was, in fact, in serviceable shape.
“If someone wants released from the contract, we will release them from the contract,” remarked ELR manager Shriane Phoenix.
When confronted by WFTV Action 9 News concerning its seeming abuse of the Assignment of Benefits, ELR Restoration issued a formal response stating that the roofing company strictly followed standard procedure. The roofer also released both customers from their contracts.
