Am I committing any insurance fraud?

by southbayretailer » Thu Jul 11, 2013 02:26 am

I live in PA and recently my house suffered from hail damage. I have a large deductible ($4k) and I filed my insurance claim. The insurance company sent out one contractor and one adjuster to assess the damage. The contractor's assessment (the day before yesterday) was about $5k damage and only one side of siding needs to be replaced (no roof damage). Yesterday, a storm chaser convinced me that he should talk to the adjuster on my behalf and argue for replacing at least half of the roof. My adjuster came today and inspected the damage. The storm chaser and the adjuster talked and inspected our roof together. The adjuster eventually agreed to recommend to replace one side of the siding and half a roof, and possibly for the entire roof.

I have not signed any contract with the storm chaser. He said he is doing this for free for now and hoping that his crew can get the job if the insurance can pay for the siding and the entire roof. We pay him whatever we get from the insurance company (i.e., he will absorb the deductible). Is this insurance fraud? Am I legally bonded to this storm chaser? Are there any potential legal issues I need to be aware? Thank you very much. I am really nervous and regretted for agreeing the storm chaser talking to the adjuster. Please help!

Total Comments: 1

Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 03:24 am Post Subject:

Is this insurance fraud?

Collecting on a valid insurance claim? No

Am I legally bonded to this storm chaser?

Did you sign a contract? If no... then no.

Would I use the services of that "storm chaser"? HELL NO! What recommendations does he come with? How do you know he will do a good job? When the roof starts to leak, where will he be? Personally, I'd obtain recommendations of someone local who has been working in the area a long time.

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