As the Department of Insurance continues to respond to Hurricane Helene with other local, state and federal agencies, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is urging North Carolinians to protect themselves and their property from scammers and home repairs that could be fraudulent activity.
“After any storm, especially one of this magnitude, scammers, fraudsters and illegitimate contractors come from everywhere offering to repair your house or sell you building materials at a discount,” Commissioner Causey said. “When property is damaged, insurance fraud artists often go door to door and offer to fix your roof, repair storm damage or clean up debris. And while it’s possible to be approached by a legitimate business, many times it’s someone looking to make a quick buck without doing the promised work.”
The NCDOI Criminal Investigations Division has a staff of Special Agents who investigate scammers and insurance fraud daily.
The department offers the following tips for homeowners immediately after the storm:
- Contact your homeowners’ insurance agent or company to report any losses. Even if you have a separate windstorm or hail policy in addition to your homeowners’ policy, your primary homeowners’ insurer will investigate and adjust the claim even if you have wind or hail loss. Be patient as the insurer will likely be dealing with many claims.
- Make a list of any damages and take clear pictures before you make any temporary repairs.
- Do what you can to stop further damage from happening. For instance, place a tarp on your roof to prevent water from coming into the house. Keep receipts because your reasonable expenses to protect your property are part of the loss and may be reimbursed by your insurance company.
- Do not make permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected the damage and you have agreed on the cost of the repairs. Check with your insurance company before you dispose of damaged materials or items.
- If your home is uninhabitable, check with your insurance company to determine which expenses will be reimbursed.
To protect yourself from scammers or shoddy work, heed the following advice to avoid becoming a victim:
- Call your insurance agent or insurance company before signing a contract or paying for repairs. Don’t let the contractor work directly with your insurance company unless your agent gives approval.
- Work with only licensed and insured contractors.
- Get more than one estimate. Don’t be pushed into signing a contract right away.
- Get everything in writing. The cost and the type of work to be done, time schedule, guarantees, payment schedule and other expectations should be detailed.
- Require references and check them out.
- Ask to see the salesperson’s driver’s license. Write down the license number. Also take down his or her license plate number.
- Never sign a contract with blanks. Fraudulent contractors may enter unacceptable terms later.
- Never pay a contractor in full, especially all cash up front, or sign a completion certificate until the work is completed.
For more information and resources on the response to the storm, visit www.ncdoi.gov/helene or contact the NCDOI Consumer Services Division at 1-855-408-1212.