Damaging wind is the most common type of severe weather across north and central Georgia. These events can occur any time of the year, but peak in July when downbursts from pulse thunderstorms are common. Based on data from 1950-2010, 18 fatalities and 325 injuries were caused by damaging wind across north and central Georgia. Similar to damaging wind events, hail can occur in any month across north and central Georgia, however, hail events peak in May. April comes in a close second for hail events. Although most hail is between 1” and 2” in diameter in Georgia, 4.5” (softball sized) hail has been recorded across north Georgia four times.

How can you protect yourself and your family from severe thunderstorms?

• The best thing to do is to have a plan of action in place before threatening weather develops. Know the difference between a watch and a warning. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to develop, but there is not an imminent threat. A Severe Thunderstorm Warningmeans a severe thunderstorm has been detected and an imminent threat to life and property has developed.
• Make sure to get watch and warning information from multiple platforms. This will help ensure you receive life-saving weather information even if one method fails. NOAA Weather Radio, televisions, radios, cell phone alerts and sirens are all different ways to receive watches and warnings and each has its own benefits.
• If severe weather is imminent, and you are inside, move to a shelter such as a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of the building. It’s best to put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. Remember, even straight line winds from a severe thunderstorm can cause damage equal in magnitude to a tornado.
• If you are caught outside during any thunderstorm, seek shelter in a sturdy structure.

The roof deemed hail free by an inspector suddenly appeared to be a peppered and pelted mess.”You can see how big that area is and it is where the granules have been scraped away,” said Billy Sullivan, lead agent of the undercover operation.Baker insisted the damage was there and he was only making it easier to see.“I’m not a crook. I don’t have to. I don’t have to commit a crime to get paid,” Baker told Strickland as he was being handcuffed by undercover agents. “I think it’s outrageous.” Baker said.

Baker was not the only one.

“Man, I’m just glad you’re covering this damn deductible for me,” said an undercover agent to one of the roofers.

“Oh yeah, that is no problem, man,” said Daniel Barry, another roofer who showed up for an inspection.

Barry and Kenneth McKenzie work for American Roofing Co. Barry actually used a penny to scratch off the granules on the shingles.

“That’s where the granules on the shingles actually took off the copper off the penny. It’s manufacturing hail damage,” an agent showed Strickland afterward.

When agents moved in, McKenzie denied manufacturing storm damage.

“What’s your reaction to your arrest?” Strickland asked McKenzie.

“I have no idea. It’s quite a surprise to me,” replied McKenzie.

When asked what they were doing on the roof and why the used the penny, Barry replied, “I saw the damage there and I was trying to open it up to where it was more visible.”

Domonousky told Strickland it is more like vandalism.

“He actually rubbed right through the shingle to the fiber backing on the bottom half, and basically damaged this shingle for life,” said Domonousky.

Hudgens told Strickland felony fraud charges against all three roofers caught allegedly roughing up the roof will stand.

“When it’s not prosecuted the message doesn’t get out and it says it’s perfectly OK to defraud an insurance company. Well it’s not,” Hudgens said.

Three roofers whose inspection did not warrant arrest will get warnings for the promises to pay the deductible.

In addition to the three arrested for felony insurance fraud, investigators are still gathering evidence against a fourth roofer.

The insurance commissioner’s office told Strickland that 12 to 18 percent of the money homeowners pay in premiums goes to cover the cost of fraud.

Our thoughts regarding this industry development.

Maxsus Inc. has long been committed to offering our homeowners honest appraisals upon inspection and building our reputation with insurance companies and adjusters by not wasting their time with dubious claims where damage to the property is insufficient as company policy. We believe that there is enough damage effected areas to provide work for our business model for years to come so we focus on providing accurate information and always encourage our representatives to be honest and transparent in all areas of the business. We feel this company wide honesty policy will promote our brand much further than the a few mis-represented and fraudulently won claims will provide.

We are pleased to see that the new Georgia Insurance Commissioner is finally taking the necessary steps to crack down (after Channel 2′s investigation sparked interest) on these fraudulent roofing companies whose bad ethics create a “roofers are scammers” stigma for those of us who chose to remain ethical to battle against when working with homeowners.  Our representatives find it very difficult to compete in areas where these dubious companies have come in offering deals to cover the cost of deductibles. We always take the opportunity to educate the consumer on the risks involved with insurance fraud and the potential downfalls that you can run into by working with companies that are offering such claims.  We hope that all homeowners will take note on this now that it’s gaining spotlight and choose a contractor that promotes ethical practices regarding insurance claims.