Consumers alerted about roofing insurance scam    

[OCT. 18, 2004]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Insurance, issued a consumer alert Thursday to policyholders being sought out by roofing contractors purported to specialize in "insurance claims."

"Illinois policyholders should be very concerned when they are approached by anyone claiming they can obtain a 'free roof' from their insurance company," said Deirdre K. Manna, acting director of the Division of Insurance.

Consumers are alerted to take the following actions to avoid being scammed:

1. The policyholder should insist on seeing proof that the roofer is licensed by the state of Illinois, Division of Professional Regulation.
2. The policyholder should obtain three competitive bids and submit the lowest bid to their insurance company for payment.
3. The policyholder is advised to not allow the roofer to manage the claim, unless the roofer is also a licensed public adjuster.
4. The policyholder should not sign over the insurance check; rather make partial payments to the roofer with the balance to be paid after the work is completed.

Insurance authorities are observing that roofers are submitting claims "on behalf of" the policyholder, taking the initial payment from the insurance company (sometimes forging the insured name) and not beginning the work on the roof in a timely fashion. The end result is that there are policyholders with little or no work done on their roof even though the insurer has made payment.

Consumers are encouraged to visit www.idfpr.com to look up whether a roofing contractor is licensed with the department and if the roofer's license has ever been disciplined. Additionally, consumers can confirm that a licensed public adjuster is registered with Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation by checking at http://neonwebh.cmcf.state.il.us:8080/ins/imsfor or calling [phone].

Consumers are also urged to report suspicious activity to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Complaint forms may be obtained via the department's website. Inquiries about roofers should be directed to the Division of Professional Regulation at [phone], and inquiries about insurance issues or public adjusters should be directed to the Division of Insurance at [phone].

[News release from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation]