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If there is only one good thing about the recent wildfires in Southern California, it may be that the majority of homeowners and many renters will be insured for their home and personal possessions. The most basic homeowner and renter insurance policy covers for the peril of fire.
When there is a widespread disaster it may take a little longer to settle the claims with the insurance company, and it may be difficult to find all of the materials, equipment and people needed to get everything rebuilt and repaired. Resources may be limited, and victims of a widespread disaster often find themselves in the same boat as so many other people suffering the same losses.
Those families suffering the complete loss of their home due to the recent fires, will need to be proactive and cooperative not only with the insurance adjusters but also with contractors, service providers and vendors. Those homeowners and renters that have been diligent in keeping household inventories and records will have a much smoother process. This is the time when keeping records and making the right plans always pays off.
This is also a risky time for homeowners, expecting insurance coverage and facing difficulty in finding services. Victims are prime candidates to be ripped-off and the scams can be astounding. Due to the widespread damage and number of families that will seek services the criminals will be crawling out of the woodwork. The scams can be as simple as a basic agreement to remove debris to contractors offering to do work–that never gets done.
Victims should be very careful at this time to know who they are doing business with. Find out where any debris will be dumped as one rip-off is to charge for removal and dump fees but the worker dumps the stuff down the road and eventually it can be traced back to you. There are huge fines for dumping.
Other important things to keep in mind include:
- Contractors who want half of the money up front, then vanish before the work has even started.
- Be sure to get a written contract including the payment agreement and schedule and only agree to phases of the project.
- It’s better to find a way to wait for reputable, known businesses in the area to get to you, than to hire an unknown business new to the area, or just helping out.
- Watch out for swindlers who use the “Night in Shining Armor” routine, some are most likely great–it only takes one fraud to hurt you financially.
Related Blogs:
- Household Inventory–Getting Started.
- Household Inventory–At Least Make A List.
- Is Your Personal Property Insured For Replacement Value?
- Insurance Appraisals
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