Hiring Your Hurricane Repair Contractor(s) And Processing Your Hurricane Damage Claim

FLORIDA  

Opinion by:  
E. Eugene Webb PhD

Construction, roofing, landscaping and tree removal, and aluminum and screen structure contractors are rushing into the disaster areas on the West Coast of Florida.

Scam artists and unlicensed contractors will be making the rounds preying on people desperate to get repairs underway. 

As hard as it may be, it's a good time to slow down and take a deliberate and serious approach to who you're going to hire to do restoration or repair work on your home.

Here is a list of things to lookout for:

• Don't hire an unknown contractor or an out of state contractor.
• Be wary of contractors going from door to door.
• Check contractor vehicle license plates. If out of state be cautious.
• Hire a contractor with a known local reputation.
• Verify licenses and certifications.
• Get estimates, contracts and warranties in writing.
• Ask about permits and verify that they have been acquired.
• Make sure the contractor is fully insured; liability and workers comp.
• Contractor should provide at least 3 local references.
• How long has contractor been in business/
• Does the contractor have their own crews, or do you outsource their work?

For some additional information check out this link from the National Storm Damage Center Hiring a Contractor

CONTRACTOR REFERENCE CHECK LIST (copy and use for your reference checks)

⬜ Did your contractor clearly explain what needed to be done in advance?

⬜ Did your contractor provide drawing or sketch of the project?

⬜ Did you have a formal signed contract or Agreement?

⬜ How did your contractor handle your insurance claims process?

⬜ Did your contractor require an upfront deposit?

⬜ Did your contractor and crew show up on time?

⬜ Was there always someone there to answer your questions?

⬜ Did the contractor obtain necessary permits?

⬜ Was the crew pleasant and professional?

⬜ Were change orders made in writing?

⬜ Did any issues arise? How were they handled?

⬜ How did the contractor leave your site at the end of the day?

⬜ Did your job finish on schedule?

⬜ Did the work pass inspection?

⬜ Did the finished job meet your expectations?

⬜ Was your contractor fair, ethical and honest?

⬜ Would you work with this contractor again?

⬜ Would you hesitate to recommend this contractor to a family member?

HURRICANE DAMAGE CLAIMS

You're going to hear a lot about assigned benefits insurance claims. An assignment of benefits or an AOB as it is commonly referred to, is an agreement that transfers the insurance claims rights or benefits of the policy to a third party. It's important to know that an AOB gives the third-party complete authority to file a claim, make repair decisions and collect insurance payments without your approval, review or any involvement on your part.

This third party can be, an insurance processing claim company, or in many cases it can be the contractor.

You may have already noticed some people on TV news and some state officials here in Florida encouraging people to not immediately use assigned benefits as the first method for processing hurricane damage claims.

For some insight check out this article from npr WCJT News, by Becky Sullivan: Florida's property insurance market was already under stress. Ian could make it worse.

It is always a good idea in a disaster insurance claims environment to begin your claim process with your insurance carrier.

If you're having issues with your insurance carrier regarding your claim and the amount they are going to pay, you may want to suggest to the adjuster that you have or are in the process of getting a claim quote from an assigned benefits contractor.

These are difficult times for those of you in southwestern Florida. 

And your desire to get the process rolling quickly is not lost on the insurance companies. Don't jump into a claims settlement that does not adequately meet your needs and does not fulfill the agreements that you signed in the insurance contract.

Do not be reluctant to seek out legal counsel and if necessary, take legal action to get what is rightfully yours. Many of the premier law firms here in Florida are already setting up hurricane Ian disaster relief groups inside their law practice.

As with anything else while you're dealing with this disaster if you're getting pushed into a legal position find, a law firm you can trust, check them out completely before you give anything to them to handle.

E-mail Doc at mail to: dr.gwebb@yahoo.com or send me a Facebook (E. Eugene Webb) Friend request. Like or share on Facebook, follow me on TWITTER  @DOC ON THE BAY.

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