Financial advisers always recommend shopping around and comparing quotes before making an important buying decision. Before purchasing insurance, a prudent motorist asks his or her agent to seek a New Jersey auto insurance quote from a variety of competing carriers and identify the policy that provides best value.

In the wake of a severe weather incident like a hurricane or tropical storm, home owners need to take particular care when they assess quotes for emergency home repairs, to avoid being targeted by unscrupulous storm-chasers offering to undertake emergency building repairs. Some of the scams involve building contractors who seize on an emergency as an opportunity to charge excessive prices, while other frauds involve people who ask for upfront payments from homeowners then disappear without doing the repair work they have promised.

It’s essential to be alert to the potential for this fraudulent activity when seeking quotes for emergency repairs to your home. Be wary of contractors who approach you directly. Always obtain written quotes from at least three contractors and don’t accept the first bid you receive without carefully evaluating all the bids. Take time to check out a contractor before committing to a contract: a legitimate contractor should hold the proper license, carry property, liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and be willing to provide contact details of previous clients as a reference.

We know that when evaluating a quote for emergency home repairs you may be under much more pressure than when assessing a New Jersey auto insurance quote. Remember to keep your head, take your time and assess quotes carefully, so that you make an informed decision about which bid to accept.

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