| Roofing Regulation Causes Last Minute Controversy A bill designed to protect homeowners when hiring a roofing company is on its way to Governor Hickenlooper's office, but critics are spearheading an effort to get the measure vetoed. (Under SB 12-038) if he disagrees with me, and he denies the claim in part, during rescission window, they can put pressure on a consumer to use another contractor or to cancel their contract with me," O'Driscoll explained. "The big concern is now you're in a contract, you don't have insurance money to pay for it, you're still in that contract with that roofer, Senate Bill 38 will give that power back to the consumer," Walker said. "This is written wrong, this isn't for the consumer, it's not best for the consumer," O'Driscoll said. "Your insurance company has as much investment as you in having a good roof," Walker said. Tochtrop sponsored Senate Bill 12-038, it passed through the House and Senate, getting support from both political parties. It also includes a rescission clause that allows consumers to cancel the contract with 72 hours and get a full refund of any money that has been paid. The intent of the bill is to protect the consumer and both sides are passionate about whether it achieves that goal. Their biggest concern is the way the bill is worded. "It's going to be a huge detriment to consumers," said Derek O'Driscoll, a licensed public adjuster and a roofing contractor. "Some of the terminology, language and lack of language, really gives insurance adjusters a huge amount of control to determine scope of work and to deny legitimate quotations," O'Driscoll said. The bill also prohibits a contractor from paying, waiving, or rebating the consumer's insurance deductible. The contract is required to include the scope of work to be done, dates for the work and cost of the work. "We needed to do some Consumer Protection around this," said Sen. The insurance industry, Colorado Roofers Association, the Colorado Roofing and Restoration Council, and the Subcontractors association are backing the bill. O'Driscoll is among a growing number of people and groups opposing the legislation. "From the insurance industry's perspective, it doesn't give us any different sort of power. |
Friday, 11 May 2012
Roofing Regulation Causes Last Minute Controversy
