10/12/2026
🚨 HOMEOWNERS BEWARE! BEFORE YOU SIGN THAT EMERGENCY REPAIR CONTRACT! 🚨
Following a hurricane or major storm, contractors often show up offering emergency tree removal, roof tarping, water mitigation, and other repairs.
These services may be necessary, but BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SIGN!
Some emergency work authorization contracts contain provisions that could leave homeowners with substantial financial obligations they never anticipated.
⚠️ HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
🔴 1. YOU COULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE BILL!
Just because you have insurance doesn’t mean your insurance company will pay everything. Some contracts make YOU responsible for costs the insurance company denies or doesn’t cover.
🔴 2. YOU MAY BE AUTHORIZING DIRECT INSURANCE PAYMENTS!
Some agreements allow insurance companies to pay contractors directly, potentially reducing your control over the money.
🔴 3. YOU MAY BE AGREEING TO WORK WITHOUT KNOWING THE COST!
Some emergency authorizations don’t specify a total contract price, spending limit, or detailed scope of work.
🔴 4. ADDITIONAL REPAIRS COULD BECOME PART OF YOUR CONTRACT!
Watch for language automatically incorporating supplemental estimates or additional work without requiring your separate written approval.
🔴 5. YOUR DEDUCTIBLE AND DEPRECIATION MAY BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!
Even when insurance approves a claim, you may be required to pay deductibles and amounts withheld for depreciation until recoverable funds are released, if applicable.
✅ BEFORE SIGNING ANYTHING:
✔️ Demand a written description of exactly what work is authorized.
✔️ Require a written price or maximum spending limit.
✔️ Require your written approval before ANY additional work.
✔️ Understand who receives the insurance payments.
✔️ Verify the contractor’s license and insurance.
✔️ Read EVERY page, including cancellation provisions and financial obligations.
BOTTOM LINE:
A contractor telling you, “Don’t worry, your insurance will cover it,” is NOT the same as your insurance company agreeing to pay.
And signing an emergency work authorization is NOT necessarily the same as simply authorizing an inspection or temporary repairs.
Your insurance company may deny payment, but your contract with the contractor may still obligate YOU to pay!
Storm damage is stressful enough without discovering you’ve signed away control of your insurance proceeds or agreed to thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses.
PROTECT YOUR HOME. PROTECT YOUR MONEY. READ BEFORE YOU SIGN!
Please SHARE this with friends and neighbors dealing with storm damage.
Not all contractor agreements contain these provisions. Obligations depend on the specific contract and applicable law.
