Business View-Oct 2023

44 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 10 was contained to the exterior, so we look at the gutters or roofing soffits or anything about the exterior of the property.” Polino outlines. “We then diagnose the problem so we can get them in the right direction.” Polino was amazed at the veracity of the last hurricane to whip through Florida and has determined, based on the properties that they have evaluated, that the damage caused more catastrophic damage than anything he has seen since residing in the region. Of course, stepping back, before diagnoses on a given property can be accurately made, the referral process begins. “We receive a phone call or get a referral and being the experts on how storms damage roofs, whether they are a flat roof, concrete, slate, or shingle we can then go to the ground, walk around the property, and start to build a case.” Part of the diagnostic process directly relates to the very pressing concern of just how much a customer’s insurance provider will cover. To lay claim to monetary compensation, Polino explains that there should be clear signs or evidence that “ the damage on the roof was not pre-existing and it was created during a weather event.” The next step, Polino outlines is ensuring the legal protections are in place and that customers have legal channels they can pursue if they are encountering barriers through their insurance providers. “Once we have identified the damages are [weather inflicted] we can now have a conversion about legalities.” He is quick to add that the state of Florida is sometimes like “walking a legal tightrope”. “There are certain things that we can do and there are certain things that we are not able to do,” he relays. “We cannot advise anybody to put in an insurance claim in the state of Florida, but if the folks start asking questions about the insurance process we have the answers for them and we help guide them in the right direction- we just try to be the angel on their shoulder through the whole process.” ‘Covering’ trends and technology Like all the construction trades trends play out and technology continues to make inroads. To stay competitive, Polino insists that being on top of both is paramount. “The roofing industry is an ever-changing industry.” “One trend that we are utilizing what is called an ice and water shield in Florida to give the homeowners the peace of mind that