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Scams and Fraud guides
Arson, staged losses and fraud investigationsHow insurers and fire investigators test a suspicious fire or theft, what the intentional loss exclusion does, and what to do if your claim is investigated.Assignment of benefits: what to know before you signWhat an assignment of benefits gives a contractor, what you give up, how it differs from a direction to pay, and how Florida and other states treat it.How to check an agent's or adjuster's licenseHow to confirm an agent, broker, adjuster or public adjuster is licensed in your state, what the lookup shows, and what to do if you cannot find a name.Choosing a contractor after a home insurance claimWho chooses your repair contractor after a claim, how to vet one, what the contract should say, and the deductible-waiver and assignment traps to avoid.Contractor fraud after storms: how it works and how to stop itHow storm-chasing contractors defraud homeowners after hail, wind and flood, the red flags to watch, and what to do before you sign anything or pay a deposit.Deed fraud, title insurance and your homeowners policyHow forged deeds steal homes, why homeowners insurance does not cover lost ownership, what owner's title insurance may cover, and the alerts that catch it.Disaster aid and insurance fraud schemesFake FEMA inspectors, grant-fee callers, phony claim helpers and look-alike charities after a disaster, the rules that expose them, and where to report.Fake agents and phony home insurance policiesHow bogus insurers, unlicensed sellers and premium-diverting agents work, the NAIC's warning signs, and how to confirm a policy is real before you need it.Home insurance scams and how to avoid themThe main scams aimed at homeowners, from fake policies and storm-chasing contractors to phishing and deed theft, with the checks that stop each one.Homeowners insurance fraud: what it is and how it's caughtWhat counts as homeowners insurance fraud, hard versus soft fraud, how insurers investigate suspicious claims, and what an accusation means for you.Identity theft coverage on a homeowners policyIdentity theft coverage pays recovery costs like notary fees and lost wages, not usually stolen money. Typical limits, exclusions and free alternatives.Phishing scams that impersonate insurersHow fake renewal notices, claim-payment texts and lender "insurance lapse" messages steal logins and money, how to spot them, and what to do if you clicked.Padding a claim: the penalties and the policy fraud clauseWhere a generous claim ends and padding begins, what the policy's fraud clause and state law can do, and how to claim all you are owed honestly.