Texas Sees 50 Percent Increase in Suspicious Roofing Claims Since 2010

Long known for its epic weather-related events, a report released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau indicates that some Texas insurance fraud might also be prompted by weather. Since 2010, questionable roofing claims have increased by 50 percent in Texas.

A questionable insurance claim (QC) is one that does not appear in all respects to meet the requirements for a valid insurance claim. It may contain outright falsehoods, elements of exaggeration, or include one or more indications of possible insurance fraud. QCs are initial referrals to NICB by its member insurance companies and they are not definitive acts of fraud.

In 2010, a total of 370 roofing QCs were referred to NICB by its member companies. That number grew to 557 in 2012—a 50 percent increase. El Paso topped the list of Texas cities for roofing QCs with 200. It was followed by Arlington with 92 and Fort Worth with 73.

The number one referral reason for all Texas roofing QCs in 2010, 2011, and 2012 was hail damage with 364. Next was mechanical damage with 308 followed by wind damage with 281.

The “homeowners” policy type was the most identified with 1,177 out of a total of 1,308 roofing QCs from 2010 through the end of 2012.

Source: NICB