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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

5/10/2022

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Craig Ey, 410-468-2488 (O)
443-604-9599 (C)

Consumer Advisory:

Watch out for ‘free roof’ offers

BALTIMORE – The Maryland Insurance Administration is reminding consumers to proceed with caution when approached by roofing contractors with unsolicited offers to inspect their roof for storm damage in order to generate an insurance claim.

Too often, these offers are part of a fraud scheme by dishonest contractors who misrepresent wear-and-tear as storm damage or may actually damage the roof to create a fraudulent claim. The contractor then may pressure you to file an insurance claim and may even try to get you to sign over your claim rights to them.

Keep in mind that insurance only pays for covered damage. Maintenance of your roof is not covered by insurance. Also, you are responsible for paying any deductible that your policy requires. A deductible is the amount of money that an insured person must pay before the insurance company starts paying for covered expenses.

How to protect yourself:

Don’t trust unsolicited offers for roof repair, especially if the contractor mentions insurance.
Check a contractor’s license and reputation before letting them work on your home. You can use the Maryland Home Improvement Commission’s online database to verify that they have a license. The contractor lookup website is: https://qrco.de/MHIC
Be wary of contractors who are only interested in finding insurance-covered damage. A reputable contractor will tell you what repairs are needed and how much they cost, regardless of insurance.
Never sign a document that gives a contractor the right to handle your insurance claim. Only a licensed public adjuster can do that.

What to do if you suspect a scam:

Report suspected insurance fraud to the Maryland Insurance Administration’s Insurance Fraud Division. You can call our tip line anonymously at 1-800-846-4069.

You can also email us at [email protected].

Or you can download a fillable form here: https://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/consumerfraudreferralform.pdf

You can fax that form to us at 410-347-5350

or send it to us via mail to:

Maryland Insurance Administration
Attn: Insurance Fraud Division
200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700
Baltimore, MD 21202

Click here for a printer-friendly version:

https://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/publicnew/Consumer-Advisory-Free-Roof-Offers.pdf

About the Maryland Insurance Administration

The Maryland Insurance Administration is an independent State agency charged with regulating Maryland’s $49 billion insurance industry. For more information about the Insurance Administration, please visit www.insurance.maryland.gov or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MDInsuranceAdmin, Twitter at @MD_Insurance, LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/maryland-insurance-administration or Instagram at @marylandinsuranceadmin.

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