Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate (ICA) Tasha Carter and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) recently announced their collaborated effort to aid Floridians in combating contractor fraud and abuse.
“Illegitimate contractors’ deception and deliberate schemes have a far-reaching impact on Floridians and the insurance market,” Carter said. “Fraud drives up costs and leaves consumers to cover the shortage. It is a privilege to partner with APCIA to educate Florida’s consumers on how to identify and avoid fraud. Fraudsters are strategic, but together with APCIA, we are a strong force fighting to combat fraud.”
Florida ICA and APCIA have crafted a free, printer-friendly guide detailing red-flag warning signs and steps to take before hiring a contractor. Fraudsters may have increased opportunities to prey on homeowners in need of repairs based on above-average activity forecast for this hurricane season.
Carter and APCIA officials indicated tips to avoid contractor fraud and abuse include watching for unsolicited offers to inspect or repair the roof; filing an insurance claim first and allowing your insurer to verify what repairs are necessary before signing contracts; ensuring the contractor hired has liability and workers’ compensation insurance and verifying if the contractor has a legitimate local address; never paying in full upfront while not paying in cash; and obtaining a written contract clearly outlining everything the contractor will do, including prices for labor and materials.
“I encourage homeowners to print the guide and keep it in a secure location with their insurance and other important documents, so they have it for easy reference after a storm,” Carter said. “Prepare as much as possible beforehand to protect yourself from fraud and make the disaster recovery process smoother.”