Sorry we can’t chill out, max or relax all cool right now…we’re dealing with storm chasing contractors.

Now, this is a story all about how our life got flip-turned upside down. And we’d like to take a minute just sit right there…we’ll tell you how we ticked off a customer so bad they continue to troll us online without a care.

Yes, this is a true story and no, not even the freshest of princes could fix it. About a year ago we started getting trolled online by a disgruntled customer. It wasn’t the first time and it definitely won’t be the last. Sometimes when we get complaints it’s a genuine misunderstanding. Maybe there was a miscommunication somewhere along the way, wires got crossed, something just needs to be clarified…you know the drill.

This was not one of those times.

Upon further investigation we found two big red flags. First, this particular customer filed a claim for storm damage a year after it happened. Yes, you read that right. We’ll dive into the particulars in a moment but first let’s talk about late reporting. When a customer waits an entire year to report damages, that takes away our right to properly investigate the claim. How could we be certain any existing damage was actually caused by the storm in question? Without a proper, timely investigation on our part, we can’t accurately adjust the claim. This is specifically called out in the policy as grounds for denial. That being said, instead of flat-out denying the claim, we did our due diligence. We sent our Adjuster out there, they got on the roof, they looked all over the house for damage and didn’t find signs of storm or hail damage as claimed. We then sent out an Independent Adjuster who confirmed the same. Any existing damage to the home was minimal and caused by wear and tear (that’s insurance talk for damage over time or due to age, rather than something sudden or accidental). Well, now this customer is mad and we will never hear the end of it. And, naturally, they see it completely different than we do. They were approached by a person they trusted (who also happens to be a contractor) and were convinced that they had storm damage to their home…a year later. Now they feel entitled to compensation regardless of policy terms. This makes us look like the “big bad insurance company” because we followed the terms of the contract and denied the claim. And of course, we aren’t allowed to go into a lot of specifics or get into heated debates online so here we are instead, using this somewhat vague story as an example of what not to do. This is our attempt to explain why reporting a claim should be done in a timely manner to avoid this from happening in the future.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, no good insurance company will deny a customer’s claim without reason. If anything, our adjusters are trying to find coverage. We don’t like having those difficult conversations any more than our customers like being on the receiving end of them. But, we are legally bound to the policy contract and that will determine the outcome of each claim.

This leads us to the second red flag which is the contractor mentioned above. Pioneer has great working relationships with a lot of contractors all over the state of Michigan but there are some that will manipulate and deceive people (like the contractor above did). There are a few different types of high-pressure contractors but we’d like to talk about one specific kind: the “storm chasing contractor.” We see these contractors in our industry all the time. They swoop into an area right after a storm and use high-pressure sales tactics and trickery to get you to sign on the dotted line and pony up the dough up front. And the kicker is, some of these clowns take off. They take advantage of you during a crisis and leave. So, how do you spot them? 

Here are signs you might be dealing with a storm chasing contractor:

• They convince you that you have storm damage sight unseen
• They are knocking on your front door within hours or days of a serious storm
• They have an out-of-state license plate
• They tell you your insurance company sent them (unless you’ve already filed a claim, we certainly did not send them)
• They claim they will “represent you” to your insurance company
• They fail to provide proof of insurance and/or a business license 
• They talk fast and seem overly persistent  
• They pressure you into signing a contract on the spot
• They don’t show up to do the work
• Their workmanship is shoddy and they don’t show up for warranty work

Listen, we all want to believe we’re a great judge of character. But, some people are just that good and are able to pull a fast one on you. We don’t like dealing with these people any more than you do, so please do us all a favor this storm season and remember everything you just read. And, better yet, read our blog post about what to do before, during, and after a storm so that you're prepared next time.

Remember, when in doubt, call your Independent Insurance Agent! Also, when in doubt, don’t troll your Insurance Agency or Company online.

Disclaimer: This is a general interpretation of processes and coverage. All claims are subject to Insuring Agreements, Endorsements, Exclusions, Terms, and Conditions of the Policy.

Have any questions about what you just read? Please contact your Independent Insurance Agent or email us at socialmedia@psmic.com!