If you've been unfortunate enough to experience storm damage to your home, you know how important it is to take swift action to repair the damage. Unfortunately, many unscrupulous people try to take advantage of homeowners in this situation by offering sham roof repair services.
This blog post will list some of the most common insurance scams related to roof and storm damage so that you can be on the lookout for them.
No. 1: Increase in Premiums
Depending on how substantial the damage to your roof is, your insurance company may deem it necessary to raise your premiums. This especially applies if you live in an area prone to severe weather conditions.
This practice, however, is not entirely legitimate. In most situations, your insurance company will only raise your premiums if the damage to your roof is severe enough to warrant it. If they try to raise your rates without cause, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner.
Remember that after heavy storms in Florida, you will be unable to purchase insurance coverage until 72 hours after the last watch or warning has been lifted. If any insurance companies try to sell you a policy immediately after a storm, realize that you could be getting scammed.
No. 2: Cost of Goods and Services
We always advise double-checking the cost of goods and services with your insurance agent before you have any work done on your home. After a hurricane or severe storm, there will be a lot of out-of-town contractors coming into the area looking to make a quick buck. Some of these contractors may try to overcharge you for their services.
If you have damage to your home, reach out to your insurance agent to file a claim. Your agent will then assign an adjuster to inspect the damage. The insurance company will then send you a check for the repairs. Get more than one estimate for the repairs before doing any work.
Before making any payments, verify the insurance company's identity and avoid providing any personal information until you are confident that the company is legitimate.
No. 3: Faulty Repairs
A common fraud practice is to leave the insured property inadequately repaired or in a condition worse than it was before the disaster. If you feel that the repairs are not up to par, do not sign any documents or make any final payments until the work is complete.
These results could be due to work from an unlicensed contractor, defective materials, or simply a lack of completed work.
Unlicensed contractors are more likely to be fly-by-night operations that will take your insurance money and disappear, leaving you with even more damage than before.
Subpar materials also cause concern as they may not be able to withstand another severe weather event. This could expose your home to the risk of more damage in the future.
Conclusion
When it comes to roofing and storm damage repairs, you want to ensure the job is faultless the first time so that you can have peace of mind moving forward.
That's why you should hire contractors like City Roofing in Miami, FL. We are a reliable and reputable roofing contractor with several years of experience offering top-quality materials and workmanship. With our help, you can feel reassured that your roof will withstand future storms.
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