Motel owner sues insurer alleging it lowballed storm damage by $175k

Field adjuster Clayton McGrath initially estimated covered damage to the roof, front elevation, and right elevation at just $1,307.47, falling well short of the $10,705.00 deductible. A joint inspection followed on or around April 30, 2025, involving engineers retained by both sides. Tim Rodriguez, P.E. with Keystone Experts and Engineers, inspecting on behalf of Great Lakes, reportedly concluded that “the shingles lacked localized, rounded areas of granule loss with embedded granules, bruises, and fractures consistent with hail impacts.” McGrath then revised his estimate upward – but only to $1,985.92. A partial denial letter followed on May 15, 2025, issued by Davies adjuster Russell Brenneman.