"Storm Chasers" Part 1

This recent USA Today article on storm chasers was very interesting. The Iowa legislature is considering a bill that would provide homeowners the power to cancel and protect themselves against "storm chasers" as the article calls them. Basically homeowners would have the power to get out of contracts that may have been signed on site shortly after damage to their home.

Here in Illinois we have a similar bill that was passed into law last fall. For an overview click here. House bill 3034 enables the homeowner in Illinois to:

• cancel a contract up to 10 days after signing with a refund from the contractor.
• contractor must provide information and a form to cancel services
• roofing contractors especially must provide their license number on all paperwork and bids. 

What is a "storm chaser"? 

Basically someone who targets an area that recently experienced a storm that may have caused damage such as roof damage, siding damage or flood damage among other types of damage. Storm chasers usually knock on doors with the intention of signing restoration contracts. Usually these are public adjusters (insurance adjusters that are not affiliated with any insurance company) or contractors that want the homeowner to sign a contract with their company before the homeowner has a chance to contact any other contractor. The homeowner has the right to choose whoever they would like to handle the repairs however if their insurance policy does not cover the loss or only parts of the claim then the homeowner could be stuck with a bill at the end of if all.

Don't know about you but I would want to talk with my insurance provider so I understand what is covered under my policy then make sure a reputable contractor is referred to do the repairs.

In part 2 learn how Servpro of Ravenswood works with adjusters, insurance companies and homeowners.