Every year, thousands of Americans are victimized by insurance claim contractor scams. These scams work in different ways, although they have certain common traits.
Examples of insurance claim contractor scams include:
Insurance claim contractor scams take advantage of homeowners in vulnerable positions. Many of these contractors roam disaster-prone areas looking for victims. They might go door-to-door in a neighborhood recently hit by a flood, for example, and claim to offer discounted hurricane repair specials.
In most cases, good contractors do not need to go door to door to request business. Most contractors get enough business on their reputation alone.
With basic precaution, you can avoid being victimized by an insurance claim contractor scam. Strategies to use to fight back include:
Get Multiple Quotes: Whether dealing with an insurance claim or general repairs, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes for any job. Don’t just accept the first estimate you receive. Get a high, medium, and low estimate, then check if you’re getting a fair price.
Hire Local: After a disaster, contractors from across the state (or across the country) may travel to a region to address demand. Consider hiring local. Use an established, local contractor after a disaster – not an out-of-town contractor that goes door-to-door. Many out-of-town contractors are unlicensed and uninsured to do business in your state, yet they’re trying to take advantage of vulnerable homeowners after a disaster.
Check Licenses: Check the licenses and documentation of any contractor with which you do business.
Avoid Advance Payment: Most contractors require 20% or less payment upfront. If a contractor demands more than that, be wary – especially if the contractor requests cash.
By taking basic precautions, you can avoid being victimized by an insurance claim contractor scam.
Examples of insurance claim contractor scams include:
- Lowball bids to restore your property after a disaster, including ‘special hurricane discounts’ and ‘limited time offers’
- Low-quality repairs using substandard materials
- Fast repairs or replacements with little attention to detail
- Causing extra damage to your property to inflate a claim
- Disappearing with a down payment after only doing part of the job (or no work at all)
- Convincing you to legally sign over your claim to a contractor, then making an inflated claim behind your back
Insurance claim contractor scams take advantage of homeowners in vulnerable positions. Many of these contractors roam disaster-prone areas looking for victims. They might go door-to-door in a neighborhood recently hit by a flood, for example, and claim to offer discounted hurricane repair specials.
In most cases, good contractors do not need to go door to door to request business. Most contractors get enough business on their reputation alone.
How to Avoid Insurance Claim Contractor Scams
Get Multiple Quotes: Whether dealing with an insurance claim or general repairs, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes for any job. Don’t just accept the first estimate you receive. Get a high, medium, and low estimate, then check if you’re getting a fair price.
Hire Local: After a disaster, contractors from across the state (or across the country) may travel to a region to address demand. Consider hiring local. Use an established, local contractor after a disaster – not an out-of-town contractor that goes door-to-door. Many out-of-town contractors are unlicensed and uninsured to do business in your state, yet they’re trying to take advantage of vulnerable homeowners after a disaster.
Check Licenses: Check the licenses and documentation of any contractor with which you do business.
Avoid Advance Payment: Most contractors require 20% or less payment upfront. If a contractor demands more than that, be wary – especially if the contractor requests cash.
By taking basic precautions, you can avoid being victimized by an insurance claim contractor scam.
Thanks, admin for providing the content on public adjusters Miami Lakes. Visit: https://bestpublicadjusters.com/miami-lakes-public-adjuster-reviews/
ReplyDelete