ST. PETERSBURG,
Fla., Oct. 11, 2016
/PRNewswire/ -- While most home-repair contractors are honest
and provide quality work, Allstate Insurance reminds homeowners
affected by Hurricane Matthew to be on the lookout for workers and
companies engaging in contractor fraud.
Here are some ways to avoid getting scammed by contractor
fraud in the aftermath of a hurricane:
- Be wary of contractors who solicit door-to-door. Work
only with established contractors and those who have a solid
reputation.
- Work only with licensed, bonded and insured contractors
and have them provide you with documentation.
- Require references and check them out.
- Check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if
any complaints have been filed against contractors you are
considering. Victims of contractor fraud often file
complaints.
- Don't feel pressured into signing a contract, and never
sign a contract with blanks. A contract should include the
contractor's name, business name, phone number and
address.
- Avoid payment-in-full up front. Some contractors may
require a partial up front payment, but the amount should not
exceed approximately 20% of the total estimate amount.
- Never let work begin on your home or business until the
contract is finalized.
- Don't pay a contractor in full or sign a completion
certificate until the job is completed and you are satisfied with
the work — avoid making cash payments.
- If anyone performs unauthorized work on your property and
demands payment, consider contacting authorities.
- Never let anyone persuade you to seek reimbursement for
nonexistent or exaggerated losses or damages. This is insurance
fraud, which is a felony.
Allstate policyholders who have damage as a result of
Hurricane Matthew can file a claim by contacting their agent,
calling 1-800-54-STORM, visiting a Mobile Claims
Center or logging onto Allstate.com.
About Castle Key
Castle Key Insurance Company and Castle Key Indemnity
Company are subsidiaries of Allstate Insurance Company and are the
primary providers of personal lines property insurance in
Florida for the Allstate group.
Castle Key Insurance Company and Castle Key Indemnity Company sell
homeowners, condominium owners, renters and mobile home owner's
insurance protection through more than 750 agencies in the state of
Florida. Property insurance
policies sold by Castle Key Insurance Company and Castle Key
Indemnity Company are not underwritten or reinsured by any other
company in the Allstate group.
About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's
largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through
the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®"
slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and
retirement to help more than 17 million
households insure what they have today and better prepare for
tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services
through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate
exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via
www.allstate.com and 1-800
Allstate®.
Contact:
|
Cathy Mayo
|
|
(727)
573-6983
|
|
Cathy.Mayo@allstate.com
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SOURCE Allstate