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| North Carolina Department of Insurance (NC) |
The North Carolina Department of Insurance (NC) provides hurricane claims advice to help you avoid potential fraud and to process your claim after the weather system is up and running. You should always be on the lookout for handyman cons. Area inspectors suggest that many scammers generally work this way:
After experiencing a hurricane, roofing contractors learn from media reports which locations suffered damage from tornadoes, hail, and/or wind. They target these communities and go door to door to show homeowners that their roofs could be affected and require restoration or in some cases full replacement.
According to investigators, there is often no damage to the roof and often the damage is actually caused on purpose. This is typically processed as insurance fraud. At a minimum, unsuspecting homeowners find themselves paying a reduction for a replacement roof they don't have to own.
To help you report suspected fraud, contact the State Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigation Division by calling 919-807-6840. When you experience a loss of property in your own home or motorized vehicle, contact your agent or insurance company immediately, so you can schedule an appointment with the adjuster.
Your Department of Insurance will be in close contact with the leading insurance providers doing business in the state. Departments should have up-to-date consumer hotline numbers available for those who have to call their own carrier.
Before doing any repairs to your home, take photos and make a list of any associated hurricane damage. Carrying out repairs or disposing of items only removes or eliminates the damage suffered.
Protect your property from collateral damage by completing temporary repairs only, until your insurance company can tell you more. Keep all receipts regarding materials procured for repairs.
Don't make permanent repairs until the insurance company has inspected the home and you have an agreement on the cost of the repairs.
If necessary, rent temporary shelters. If your home becomes uninhabitable due to physical damage (not from a loss of electrical or water power), a large number of property owners incur additional living expenses while your property is in the process of being repaired.
Before ordering temporary shelter, check with your insurance company or agent to determine exactly what liability will be reimbursed.
Remember when an idea sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And don't forget to do business only with registered agents and companies.
Most of these suggestions for hurricane claim advice may seem easy, however, simple issues are easily overlooked during a catastrophic fog. Educating yourself and being aware of misleading practices can save your score in costly trouble.
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