After a major storm strikes your home or car, you may feel shocked, overwhelmed, or fearful. When the initial shock wears off and you determine what needs repaired, you may have trouble getting contractors to respond, a frustrating hurdle after all that has happened. Unfortunately, after major storms, contractors are often in short supply, and waiting lists can be long. This is when storm scammers pounce.
Storm scammers are unreputable individuals or businesses who prey on storm victims with promises of quick and low-cost repairs. Often they walk the neighborhood and offer a quick estimate of your damage. In many cases, they offer to handle the insurance claim “hassle” for you. They know that you may be frustrated, overwhelmed, and unsure about how claims work, so they offer to waive your deductible, manage the claim, and take the hassle out of the process. BEWARE of these individuals!
In reality, storm scammers take money from victims, fail to complete repairs, or do shoddy work. They are often unqualified contractors without the materials, equipment, or labor to complete the job.
If someone comes to your door unsolicited, be skeptical. Here are some tips on dealing with unsolicited contractors.
- Check their reputation with the BBB. Call the BBB at 419-531-3116 or search for the contractor on their website: Local BBB | BBB Serving Northwest and West Central Ohio and Southeast Michigan | Better Business Bureau®
- Call us. 419-241-5133. We can vet contractors for you if we don’t already know them.
- Do not sign anything. Ask the contractor to leave the paperwork for you to review.
- Do not pay contractors up front, even if they promise that it will get you to the top of the list.
- Do not allow contractors to manage your claim on your behalf.
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Please call us if you are unsure about a contractor. Don’t rely on a stranger; let us help you navigate the uncertainty. We are here for you.