While the Northeast was spared the wrath of Hurricane Matthew, our neighbors down South were not as lucky. Many are still struggling to bounce-back from the damage and, unfortunately, several news stories have surfaced depicting how many have become victims of fraud.
In the event of a natural disaster, trusted and qualified contractors are often hard to come by. This leaves the door open to scams by less-than-reputable individuals. In an effort to make sure you and your family are protected from scam artists, Blais Insurance would like to provide you with the following tips to keep in mind:
- Be suspicious of anyone knocking on your door, offering a fast and cheap repair
- Do your best to attain at least three written estimates for your job
- Check with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (www.dbr.state.ri.us) to verify the contractor is licensed and in good standing
- Request proof of insurance and a current copy of their policy
- Establish a written contract that dictates the entire scope of the project in detail
- Never pay the full cost of repairs up-front
- Visit the Better Business Bureau website (www.bbb.org) to make sure there are not any complaints against the contractor or the company
- Only pay for the project once it is completed to your satisfaction
