Homeowners often face urgent repairs to restore their property after severe weather storms or other natural disasters. Unfortunately, scam artists posing as contractors seize these moments of vulnerability, promising quick fixes while leaving behind shoddy work or disappearing after taking payment.
Repair scams typically follow a pattern. Scammers will target affected neighborhoods with unsolicited offers to inspect damage or provide repair services. They may claim to have noticed damage to a roof or other parts of the home that the homeowner’s insurance would cover. Sometimes, they will even ask homeowners to sign a form before starting the inspection, which might give the scam artist authorization to act as the homeowner’s agent with the insurance company.
They may offer to manage everything as long as the homeowner signs over the insurance payment. These individuals may then disappear with the payment or deliver subpar repairs, leaving the homeowner with bigger problems to resolve.
Here are some scam variations:
Free Inspections: Flyers or in-person solicitations offering free roof or home inspections are a common tactic. They often find “significant damage” that will be covered by insurance. Once paid, they may vanish without completing any work.
Discount Offers: Some scammers will offer repairs at a discount because they supposedly have leftover materials from a previous job. These high-pressure offers are often “only available if accepted immediately.”
Insurance Deductible Scams: The scammer offers to waive or refund the homeowner’s insurance deductible, further enticing the homeowner to sign over insurance checks – a red flag for a scam in progress.
Protect Yourself from Repair Scams
• Be wary of unsolicited offers – Legitimate contractors don’t go door to door after storms looking for work.
• Be skeptical of “insurance-covered” repairs – It could be a scam if a contractor is overly eager to see your insurance policy or offers to waive the deductible.
• Take your time – If a deal seems too good to be true or is only valid immediately, it’s likely a scam.
• Verify contractor licenses – In Tennessee, verify a contractor’s license through the state’s license verification website.
• Understand your rights – Ensure that contracts include a cancellation clause – typically three days.
Ask for references, confirm credentials, and get multiple quotes before agreeing to any work. Always contact your insurance company directly if you’re uncertain of what your policy covers.
Hardin Valley Farm Bureau Insurance
10851 Hardin Valley Road
Knoxville, TN 37932
865.247.6517
fbiTN.com