Right to Repair.

repairs after hurricane michael

Your file a claim for Damages and your Insurance Company invokes their Right to Repair.  What does that mean for your home repairs and do you have to agree?  Technically yes, if that Clause is written into your policy, which is most likely the case, they do have that Right.  However, there are things you can do to protect yourself.  Just as we are seeing and predicted, Insurance Companies are determined to pay as little as possible for Hurricane Michael damages.

What does a Right to Repair mean exactly?

Most Insurance Policies include this Clause and it means the Insurance Company can hire a Contractor of their choice to come to your house and do the necessary repairs based on the Damages Claim.  Typically these Contractors work on a multitude of Claims for the Insurance Company and because they do, they will be sub-par and will leave you with less than what you would expect from a Contractor if you hired one on your own accord.

Do I have to agree to the repairs?

 This is where you have an upper hand because the Contractor will most certainly want and ask you to sign a Contract, which is a Secondary Contract and not part of the Right to Repair Clause in your Homeowners Policy.  You can effectively say I will agree to the repairs but I will not sign your contract and I have demands and terms that you must meet so I can be ensured the work is done appropriately and in a timely, professional manner.

Your list of terms can be 200 items long, exhaustive and full of exact requirements such as, you the Contractor must provide me with a complete background check on any employee or subcontractor you have working for you on my property, I require Proof of their Insurance, Licensing and Bonding, you must comply with OSHA Regulations, everyone must clock in at 7 am, there will be no profanity, no drinking, no music, everyone must wear a lanyard with visible Photo ID at all times, etc.  The idea is to get the Contractor into a position where he is not willing or able to meet all the terms, even if they are valid.  He will ultimately Deny the job and the Insurance Carrier will be forced to look at other options.

 Noble Public Adjusting Group is here to help as your Public Adjuster, to go over your Policy, Assess the damages thoroughly and appropriately and be your advocate throughout the entire process.

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