Areas of central and western Massachusetts are still struggling to return to normal after last week's ice storm, and weather forecasts are predicting more winter weather in the coming week.
Your BBB hopes your home and business weathered the storm without any damage, but offers advice for action to take after any natural disaster strikes. While disasters often bring tails of great acts of kindness, we know too often, they also bring stories of selfishness and criminal activities. Protect yourself.
Utility Company Scam
National Grid issued a warning that imposters are going door to door in areas without power, claiming to be representatives of the company and asking homeowners for $2,500 to restore electricity to their homes. National Grid said if anybody demands a payment from you on scene to restore your electricity, they are not National Grid workers. The company's workers also are required to carry company identification at all times.
After any Disaster
• Contact your insurance adjuster immediately. Not only does this get the ball rolling on the claims process, but you might be eligible for loss-of-use benefits, which means you could be reimbursed for hotel costs, food, and other living expenses while your house is unlivable.
• Document the damage to your property and possessions thoroughly; take pictures or video if possible. Go from room to room and create a detailed account of your belongings.
• Make any minor repairs to limit further damage to the home. You may be liable for damage that occurs after a storm has passed, so make temporary repairs, such as boarding up broken windows or throwing a tarp over a leaky roof.
• Keep all your receipts spent on supplies and living expenses for future reimbursement.
• Do not make any permanent repairs until you get approval from your insurance company. Your insurer might not fully reimburse you for repairs made without their authorization.
Insurance Claims
In the aftermath of a major disaster, many aspects along the road to recovery will almost certainly involve your insurance (homeowners, renter/tenant, automobile, marine, flood, etc.). Taking a few immediate steps can significantly increase ability to obtain a quick settlement from your carrier. Here are some tips:
• If possible, photograph the exterior and interior of the premises, showing the damage.
• Immediately call your insurance agent to report your claim. The agent will prepare a Notice of Loss form and an adjuster will be assigned to assist you.
• Separate the damaged from the undamaged property, and put it in the best possible order for the adjuster's examination. If reasonably possible, protect the property from further damage.
• Good records of your insured property can be of significant assistance to your and your adjuster. Use your inventory to work with the adjuster in presenting your claim.
• Damaged property which presents a health hazard or which may hamper local clean-up operations should be disposed of. Just be sure to adequately describe discarded items so that, when the adjuster examines your losses and your records, these articles are included in the documentation.
• Good records speed up settlement of your claim. Compile a room-by-room inventory of missing or damaged goods, and include manufacturer's names, dates and places of purchases, and prices. Try to locate receipts or proofs of purchase, especially for major appliances, and note manufacturers' names, serial numbers, prices, and dates of purchase.
Home Repairs
When residents return to their homes after a natural disaster, a disaster of another type may plague the area - the unscrupulous repairperson.
Before homeowners make any repairs they should determine how much aid is available. The amount of aid may determine the extent of repairs. The three basic funding sources for repairs are insurance proceeds, government assistance, and private funds.
If a homeowner makes emergency repairs, they should be sure to document all expenditures including temporary lodging and meals. Documentation may be necessary for reimbursement.
Once the amount of funds available is determined, it is necessary to select a contractor. Once a consumer has a list of potential repair firms, contact your local Better Business Bureau for BBB reports about the firm. Consumers may also want to check with friends or relatives for references.
Homeowners should be suspicious of door-to-door workers who, in order to get the job, may use scare tactics such as allegedly unsafe structural conditions. Homeowners should check to see if the company's name is on the worker's vehicle, if the company is listed in the telephone directory, and if a street address is provided.
Although the victims may be most concerned with getting things back to normal, additional heartache and money will be saved by proceeding with caution.
If possible, homeowners should request two or three estimates of the cost of repairs. The homeowners should also be certain that the contractors are bidding the same package including materials to be used, when work is to begin and be completed, and when payments are to be made. If financing, the contract should include a breakdown of these costs as well.
A down payment of 30 percent of the total is standard for the industry. The time when work is to begin is particularly important as many contractors may have a backlog of work due to the disaster. Homeowners should not sign a completion form until they are totally satisfied. It is wise for homeowners to ask for a lien waver to protect them in the event the contractor fails to pay their suppliers.
When selecting a contactor, the homeowner should make sure the contract contains a detailed description of the necessary work. A contract which states "repair siding" is an open invitation for abuse.
Disaster Cleanup
When a disaster is over, victims begin the dirty task of cleaning up their homes. BBB warns consumers to watch out for opportunists looking for victims of their own.
BBB offers the following tips for selecting a restoration firm:
• The restoration contract should include a description of all the work to be performed, including the quality of materials to be used.
• Disaster victims should not make decisions they are uncomfortable with or be pushed into making a decision.
• Victims should save all receipts, including those for food and temporary lodging that are covered under their insurance policy.
• Contracts should include a price break-down for both labor and materials.
• Any promises made orally should be written into the contract, including any warranties on materials or labor.
• References at least a year old should be requested. It may seem impossible to travel to an unaffected area to inspect references after a disaster, but remember the time spent will be minor in comparison to the possibility of living with inferior repair work for years.
• Review all documentation before any payments are made and before signing the dotted line.