During the past two months tornadoes, hail, high winds, driving rains and flooding have provided feelings of anxiety and frustration for Kansans whose property has been damaged.
“Unfortunately, those are the emotions that insurance con artists feed on,” said Ken Selzer, CPA, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance. “Unscrupulous individuals who prey on the misfortunes of others make their presence known in a variety of ways. I urge you to let your instincts lead you instead of your emotions when it comes to dealing with that property damage.”
Kansas Insurance Department (KID) personnel have compiled a list of some of the common scams that occur when disaster strikes. Here are some, along with tips on how to deal with them.
• Windshield/glass fraud—Some scammers have been known to stand outside of car washes, showing drivers cracks in the glass on their vehicle, then persuading them to have the glass fixed/replaced. In many cases, the replacement products used are substandard. Consumers should go through their insurance companies to have glass repair documented and to find company-approved repair businesses.
• Homeowners roof damage from hail—KID Consumer Assistance Representatives urge homeowners to call their insurance company first before having any repairs done. The company can recommend local, reliable roofers who can back up their work.
• However, in some cases, roofing companies lease the use of their company names to out-of-area roofers. Always check to see if that is happening, especially in larger-populated areas. Beware of door-to-door solicitors who have never been on your roof, claiming you have damage. Also, never sign an insurance check over to contractors prior to their completion of the work. Check the contractors’ insurance certificate, and if you need verification, call the insurance carrier or our department at 800-432-2494.
• Use of outside adjusters—Insurance adjusters working independently of a company are not licensed to estimate damage on personal property in Kansas. They can, however, adjust for commercial property. If an adjuster comes to your home, ask the person what company he/she is working for. If it’s not your homeowners insurance company, decline the solicitation and contact our Consumer Assistance Division at 800-432-2484. Never sign Power of Attorney documents with a door-to-door adjuster.
• Business “slip and fall” scams—Although this does not just occur after storm damage, the idea of someone slipping on debris and then suing for damages is heightened following bad weather. This is especially true for areas near commercial buildings, and, it can be difficult to dispute if the area is not cleaned up shortly after the damage happens.
• Buying vehicles that have flood damage—Vehicles that have been in floods in other states often make their way here. If you have any concern about a vehicle’s history, check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) against available vehicle databases yourself, if you are working on a private sale, or have a salesman do it if you are buying from a dealership.
“If you suspect insurance fraud, call our toll-free number and ask for a Consumer Assistance Representative or a member of our Anti-Fraud Division,” said Commissioner Selzer. “We want to assist you any way we can.”
Consumers can also visit our website, www.ksinsurance.org, or our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/kansasinsurancedepartment and print a copy of our brochure “Before and After the Storm” for tips on how to take precautions.
“Protecting yourself from the scams that happen as a result of storm damage can help keep your insurance premiums and repair bills lower,” Commissioner Selzer said, “not to mention your frustration level.”
Ken Selzer is the Kansas Insurance Commissioner