Roofing fraud is alive and well, and some contractors might try and take your money and run. The situation you could find yourself in can seem legitimate, however, you need to be wary of a contractor claiming to take care of everything, including your insurance policy. These are specific warning signs you need to keep in mind when it comes to AOB fraud and roofers:
- A contractor approaches your house, claiming to spot significant damage to your roof.
- Most of the time, these roofers will show up on your doorstep after a major storm has blown through the neighborhood. While you may not be aware of any damage, the contractor’s claim startles you.
- They may convince you there are some repairs that need to be made, and the contractor may ask if you have a homeowners policy. They assure you that their company frequently performs insurance work.
- You then allow the individual to perform an inspection and submit a repair bid. While the roofer may be perfectly legitimate, there’s a chance that they are not. Be on the lookout for some red flags when the company returns with a proposal.
- The roofer might offer to take care of all dealings with a claims adjuster, and tell you all you need to do is sign the contract and ‘avoid the red tape’. Scan that contract for any reference to an assignment of benefits.
Many homeowners have been ripped off through assigning benefits directly to roofing contractors. By transferring these rights, insurance companies will only deal with the contractor and not you. Many times, roofers pocket claims proceeds and never return to make repairs. Be aware of other signs of a scam, such as a contractor may be willing to perform work on parts of your home that have no damage. They may ask you to sign on the spot so that work can begin immediately.
If you suspect something doesn’t feel right, take the necessary steps to avoid being swindled. Here’s what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation:
- Read the whole contract carefully.
- Keep an eye out for any reference to an assignment of benefits.
- Don’t give in to pressure tactics.
- Find another contractor to inspect the roof and assess the situation. If you need a list of reputable roofers, call your Southern Oak agent. We maintain lists of contractors with solid
reputations. - Most importantly, do not allow any repairs to begin before having us inspect the damage. Once you involve your agent, their presence may scare off any party with malicious intent.
Always call your agent before signing any agreements, and don’t take any warning signs lightly. Assignment of Benefits fraud is on the rise, especially with Florida homeowners, and we want to make sure you’re protected in the event that it does happen. Check out this article by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to stay up-to-date on current AOB Legislation!
In the event a disaster were to happen, are all of your valuables accounted for? Download our Home Inventory Checklist, and keep your belongings safe. Click the image to get your free copy!
You May Also Like.../ View All
“Cheaper” May Not Cost Less
Most Floridians would consider their home to be their most valuable asset. Naturally, many homeowners want...
Read moreUnderstanding Your Homeowners Insurance Policy
Being a homeowner is an exciting thing, it may leave some people with questions. Do you...
Read moreProtect Yourself From Identity Theft
If you’ve ever been the unfortunate victim of identity theft, you know all too well the...
Read moreRoofing Fraud & AOB
Assignment of Benefits
Being a Florida homeowner can come with a lot of risks – a lot of them...
Read moreTurn Your House Into A Smart Home
In the wake of a pandemic, technology can make us feel like we need to have...
Read moreStaying Home? Time to Update Your Home Inventory
About half of consumers have an up-to-date Home Inventory, according to the Insurance Information Institute. As...
Read moreTypes of Home Loans & What They Mean
Choosing a mortgage from the many types of home loans is potentially one of the largest...
Read moreUnderstand Your Escrow Statement
Buying a house is a big deal, so first of all, congratulations! However, if you’re a...
Read moreWhy You Need Flood Insurance Today
Hurricane season is here, and if you don’t have flood insurance you can’t afford to wait any longer!...
Read more2019 Florida Tax Holiday to Prep for Hurricane Season
The 2019 Florida Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday is here from May 31st till June 6th, 2019...
Read more5 Ways You Could Be Saving Money on Your Home Insurance
Your homeowners insurance premium may seem like a relatively static bill in your life, especially if...
Read moreGet a Homeowners Insurance Checkup Now!
New Year, New…Insurance Policy? You bet. Floridians have been hit by 3 major storms over the...
Read more7 Hurricane Myth-Conceptions
You’ve made it through the last hurricane safely, but maybe your home wasn’t so lucky. Now...
Read moreFire Prevention Starts With You
Fire education isn’t just for kids. Adults, teenagers and especially the elderly are at risk in...
Read moreHalloween Safety Tips for the Family
Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year for kids. Dressing up, being...
Read moreHow to Keep Kids Safe Around the Pool This Summer
According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2005-2014 there...
Read moreReduce Air Conditioning Costs This Summer
As Floridians, we know the cost of air conditioning becomes one of the largest home expenses...
Read moreWhat Your Home Insurance May Not Cover
If you’ve just bought a new house – and especially if this is your first time...
Read more7 Hurricane Myth-Conceptions
Summer is right around the corner and brimming with possibilities! Don’t forget that June marks the...
Read moreWhy Do I Need Flood Insurance?
Flooding is the #1 ranked natural disaster in the country and yet, there are numerous common...
Read moreSpring into Fire Safety: A Guide to Prepping Your Home This Season
When you’re in the throes of spring cleaning, take a moment and remember to add these...
Read moreSpring into Fire Safety
When you’re in the throes of spring cleaning, take a moment and remember to add these...
Read more10 New Home Buying Tips
So you’re in the process of buying a new home, and you’re wondering what the deal...
Read more10 Innovative Home Cleaning Solutions That Save Time
Maintaining a clean, orderly home when you have children, pets, and a full-time job can feel...
Read moreThe Best Pet Safe Cleaning Products
We love our pets, and keeping them safe and healthy is our number one responsibility as...
Read moreIt’s Time For A Homeowners Insurance Checkup
New Year, New…Insurance Policy? You bet. Floridians have been hit by 3 major storms over the...
Read more2018 Homeowners Insurance Checkup
New Year, New…Insurance Policy? You bet. Floridians were hit hard in 2017 and many were left...
Read moreTips for Stress-Free Holiday Travel
Preparing for travel over the holidays can make people simultaneously anxious and excited. You’re balancing how...
Read moreThanksgiving Food Hazards
Cooking a turkey is kind of a big deal. Whether this is your first time or...
Read moreHosting the Holidays
It’s great to get everyone under one roof for the holidays. Good food, good friends, and...
Read moreTrick-or-Treat Safety Tips
The holiday season is finally here and that means it’s time to make sure your home...
Read moreFour Tips to Prevent Home Fires
We hope you practice fire safety and prevention all year long! But if you’re like most...
Read moreFall Maintenance for Homeowners
In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, Florida homeowners need to take extra maintenance precautions to prepare...
Read more9 Hurricane Facts To Know During Storm Season
It’s still the beginning of storm season, but hurricane preparedness is probably not on your mind too...
Read moreImportant Pool Safety Tips for Summer
The hottest days of summer are here and millions are flocking to the community and backyard...
Read moreWhat to Know About AOB Fraud
AOBs have been available in the state of Florida for over 100 years. However, through the...
Read moreStorm Preparation to Avoid Scams
It happens all too often. A vicious storm wipes through the region, causing damage to trees,...
Read moreIs Your Home Ready for Hurricane Season?
It goes without saying that June 1 has a special meaning to Floridians: the start of...
Read moreBest Places to Live in Florida
If you’re considering a move to the Sunshine State, Florida residents will be quick to tell...
Read moreHome Renovations to Improve Insurance Costs
Are you a homeowner who is looking to make improvements to your home and thinking about...
Read moreAOB Legislative Overview
Insurance fraud is on the rise in Florida, especially during storm season when insurance claims are...
Read moreThese Factors Could Affect Insurance Costs
Home insurance is a necessary expense that comes with owning a home. Homeowners insurance will cost the...
Read moreThe Real Cost of Buying a Home
Wouldn’t it be ideal if every home buyer only needed to pay the price on their...
Read more