Reported & Photographed by: Anthony Mirones
Web produced by: Neil Relyea
Insurance adjusters are out in full force this week.
9News multi-media journalist Anthony Mirones spent the day with a claims examiner and the Better Business Bureau to learn more about how to file a claim and hire a contractor.
Jim Aug, Claims Examiner
"This is an area that was lifted up. When the wind came out of the Southwest it caught the corner and really just took everything up. It rolled up his roof like a carpet."Bob Kist, White Oak Homeowner
"These were 75 mph winds. I can just imagine what 150 mph winds would do."
Jim Aug, Claims Examiner
"His roof needs to be replaced. There's nothing you can do to salvage this."
Bob Kist, White Oak Homeowner
"It was rather scary, yes it was."
Making this scarier, fixing your home without your insurance companies approval.
Jim Aug, Claims Examiner
"If they've gone ahead and had the roof fixed without having pictures or a claim adjuster see it, then that could start to get a little dicey."
Here's what Safeco Insurance suggests you do.
Make any emergency repairs, like stop water from coming into your home.
Take pictures of any damage and call the insurance company to report your claim.
Jim Aug, Claims Examiner
"It's bad enough you have to have the loss on the outside and have that inconvenience. You really don't want to have the inside damaged as well."
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) suggest these steps when hiring a contractor to fix you home:
- Check the BBB website to see if the company has any complaints
- Ask family and friends for references
- Don't pay up-front fees, but they ask everyone to follow a Cincinnati law allowing a 10% down payment.
- Get a photo ID to make sure you know who is at your home
- Don't use door-to-door contractors
- Get more than one quote
Bob Kist followed the procedure and seems good with his experience.
Bob Kist, White Oak Homeowner
"They've been right here and I've already got my roof done, taken care of and everything's already."
