Oh, where to begin? Going on about 2 years ago, we had a wicked hail storm here in Nocatee. A subsequent roof inspection about 10 months later by Stephen Barnett at First Light found numerous damaged shingles. We immediately filed a claim with our insurance company, Frontline. After reviewing the claim, Frontline rejected the damage claim, said there were only a handful of damaged shingles, and that a roof replacement was not necessary. We then hired the public adjuster who came out and provided a very thorough report to Frontline along with photos of damage in our attic and ceiling from leaking water as well as a myriad of damaged shingles. Despite all of the evidence, they declined us again.
While months went by with all the back and forth, the rain continued to cause more damage inside the house. While the insurance company, who were provided with pictures in real time as damage was done, continued to ignore/decline us, Chase Stout from First Light, continued to come and support us by tarping and re-tarping our roof when the winds blew it off. He was here no less than 10 times throughout this ordeal with the insurance company. One time, when Stephen was in the hospital, he was calling and texting me with updates. Chase even came out on a Sunday morning when the tarp blew off. These two gentlemen are a dream team.
It took almost 18 months of back and forth when our lawyer, who we had to hire at our expense (thank you Ron DeSantis) after all the rejections by the insurance company despite mounting damage to our home, filed an intent to sue. Within two weeks of that notification, the insurance company suddenly wanted to mediate. We agreed. In a mediation that lasted less than one hour, they paid out $29K and settled the matter. Had they done right by us in the beginning, it would have cost them a lot less. We ended us having to move out of our house while the repairs to the inside were completed. Had it not been for First Light, we would never have gotten this finished. Totally trustworthy company and exceptional workmanship. The stucco company was having trouble matching the paint color of the house and First Light held back payment and charging us until they got it right. And they did!
You can definitely trust First Light with your roof! And don't wait as long as we did to sue if you find yourself in a similar circumstance. It sucks that we had to pay for the lawyer who we have to hire because insurance companies have the support of politicians and the public gets the shaft, but sometimes it is the only way you can get justice for yourself. We would have suffered a lot less damage had we just sued them initially. Live and learn! First Light is defintely your team for roofing!