I have noticed that in the last three or so years that about 20 percent of
the houses in my subdivision in northwest suburban Chicago have gotten new
siding and roofs. The houses here are about 15 years old. Almost all have
been done by the same company that scours the neighboorhood after storms
looking for any type of damage.

My wife said they stopped by our house the other day and wanted to know if
we wanted our roof and siding replace because of hail and wind damage and
that it would cost us nothing more than our deductible or something like
that (my wife often does not get the whole story or ask a lot of questions)
and that they would do most the talking with the insurance company. I said
what damage. She showed me a piece of loose siding by the side of the garage
on the top row. I said that has been like that for years and I intend to fix
it someday - really. Then she showed me about 10 shingles that were elevated
ever so slightly which I said that I can fix that in about an hour with some
roofing cement like I used to do on my first house back in more lean times.

So my question is this legit in that these companies can get the insurance
companies to pay for almost all costs with only what I would call very minor
damage that a handy man would probably fix for $100 ?? Wouldn't the
insurance companies at least want to pro rate the roof replacement based on
the age of the roof?? Why in the world would they replace all the siding
with such little damage. Or maybe there is more to it than that and the home
owners are picking up a percentage of the repairs?

As for me I don't like to mess with insurance companies as they always seem
to have a way [individually or as a group] to get their money back
particualry if you look like the type of client that is going to call them
for every little thing. I basically want to be covered in case of a fire,
car theft, or something like that.

Thanks for any advice, input, experiences, or opinions.

Steve