After a storm hits your town, and you're left with property damage to your home, chances are you;re going to need a contractor to repair the damage.  While many contractors are reputable and perform quality work, there are those that have questionable intentions.  A recent example of a contractor scam involves storm chasers.

What is a storm chaser?

You may know them as individuals who pursue severe weather conditions.  When it comes to property repair, the term often refers to contractors who follow severe weather events, anticipating a large amount of repair work to be done.  While many of these contractors are truly trying to help those in need after a storm, others are looking to exploit vulnerable homeowners.  They are a contributing factor to roofing scams across the U.S.

A storm chasing contractor will watch weather reports, waiting for severe weather like a tornado, hail storm, or windstorm to hit a region.  After the storm hits, the contractor will get a crew together and travel to the affected area.  They often use aggressive marketing tactics to get business from the local community.  The scammers will complete a rush job and will not be available in the future when the roof starts to fail.

What are warning signs of a storm chaser?

Look for red flags that may indicate you're dealing with a storm chaser.  Be cautious of contractors:

• From out-of-town, or even from out-of-state.  Check for the company's physical address.  If only a P.O. Box is listed, they may not have a physical location in the area and are set up temporarily.
• Offering to repair storm damage at a fast pace and at little cost to the homeowner.  They will encourage homeowners to use their homeowners insurance for the damage.
  • Some contractors may ask you to sign over your insurance benefits to speed up the process.  Be cautious of these "post-loss assignment" contracts, and obtain legal advice before signing one.
• Asking for cash payment upfront.

What can you do to ensure a contractor is reputable?

To lower your chances of being scammed, make sure you do your research.  Ask these questions before making any commitments:

• Is the contractor visiting your door unsolicited?  This may indicate a storm chaser is looking for business.
• Can the contractor provide references from previous customers in the area?
• Does the contractor have valid insurance and licensing required by the state or local government?
• How much experience do the contractor and crew have?
• Are quality materials being used in the repair?
• Can you pay with credit card or check?  Paying with a cash deposit or cash in-full is a warning sign of a scammer.
• Will a warranty accompany the work?  A scammer will often leave town right after the repair, leaving you with no support if there are problems with the roof in the future.
• Is the repair work a good deal only if you sign today?  Don't feel pressure to sign anything before you've done your research.  Often scammers will offer what sounds like a great deal on a repair, hoping you'll make a hasty decision.

And if you're concerned about your homeowners policy coverage of the repair in question, give your agent a call. 

Additional Resources

https://www.bbb.org/en/us/article/tips/1489-bbb-tip-protect-yourself-from-storm-chasers-after-a-natural-disaster

https://www.bbb.org/CSAL/news-events/news-releases/2016/03/watch-out-for-storm-chaser-scams-after-severe-weather/

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/consumer-alerts/attorney-general-josh-shapiro-warns-pennsylvanians-cautious-scams-following-winter-storm-quinn/

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2016/01/how-stay-high-and-dry-against-storm-chasing-scams

originally published by  Goodville Mutual Casualty Company

For the second time in recent weeks, extreme winter weather is in the forecast for the NorthEast and Mid-Atlantic States.  Before temperatures drop into single digits or below, here is a reminder about the things you can do to protect your homes and families from frozen pipes, winter fires, and more.  Make sure your clients are ready with Chubb’s list of helpful tips they can use right away!

1.      Arrange for a home energy audit

2.      Feel for under-door drafts

3.      Seal around windows

4.      Add insulation

5.      Update your appliances

6.      Change the direction of your ceiling fan

7.      Install a programmable thermostat

8.      Lower your water heater temperature to consume less energy

9.      Keep your home temperature no lower than 65 degrees

10.  Clean your gutters regularly

8 Safety Tips for Winter Fires

1.      Get your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned

2.      Maintain wood stoves, gas log, or oil-fired heating systems

3.      Install a spark arrestor

4.      Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home

5.      Use a protective screen with a wood burning fireplace

6.      Use seasoned hardwood

7.      Keep your fire to a reasonable level

8.      Stay by your fire, until it’s out

Stay warm!

From Everyone at the Rutt Insurance Agency

Merry Christmas!

Did you ever wonder how a flower blooms in a field of snow? 

It's in that spirit that we proudly share the 2018 Westfield Holiday video. This video inspires viewers to imagine the possibilities when we make the most of what's already right in front of us.

 View the holiday message and then share it with family, friends and colleagues.  The more it’s shared, the more Westfield will donate to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, our trusted disaster recovery partner.

Thank you and my best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season!

While every enthusiast knows that cars are the opposite of commodities, it’s still true that the collector car market runs in cycles, just like grain and gold. A few years ago, the collector car market boomed in a way that would make Bitcoin speculators blush. Thankfully, the heat came out of that climate in 2014 before any bubble burst, but things have mostly been sleepy ever since. This "soft landing" persisted in 2017, but there are clear signs the market is starting to wake up again. The folks at Hagerty explain….

First of all, the collector car market changed less over the past year than at any point over the past decade. This stability was demonstrated in value adjustments as reported in the Hagerty Price Guide (which were minimal), activity among the broad-based Hagerty Hundred Index (which was static during 2017), and in North American auction totals (which were only a shade under the level from 2016).

While little has changed in the market at a 30,000-foot level, upon closer inspection some sectors are clearly stirring. For example, six of Hagerty’s seven indices have gained value since September—the first time in two years this has happened. Additionally, those cars that did lose value did so at lower rates than they in the first eight months of 2017, which indicates that the most volatile cars in the market have found their footing.

Another positive sign is that more expensive vehicles are also making moves. Cars in the $50,000–$100,000 range grew in value by five percent, and options in the $100,000–$500,000 range recorded average gains of nearly one percent. It was this latter slice which had retreated the most since 2014, so this is a significant reversal. Lastly, more high-end cars increased in value than decreased in value over the last four months of the year, inverting a trend that emerged at the beginning of 2017. Increased spending in the more expensive segments suggests that buyers at this level are becoming much more optimistic about the direction of the market, which typically leads the rest of the market.

Even when looking at auction totals that were two percent shy of those recorded in 2016, there are still encouraging signs. Although gross numbers fell by two percent, to $1.28 billion, fewer cars were offered and the average sale price was up by two percent, as was the overall sell-through rate (hitting a high not seen since 2011). In short, owners aren’t looking to cash in on recent big gains, and buyers are more comfortable spending money—all of which is good news.

Furthermore, cars from the 1990s have realized the biggest gains since September, with average prices increasing two percent, putting them up 10 percent for the year. British and German cars all made strong moves to close out the year, with price changes in the one- to two-percent range. Among these cars, the Triumph GT6 rose by six percent and the BMW 2002 spiked by 12 percent. High horsepower cars (up 11 percent), luxury performance cars (up 12 percent), exotics (up eight percent) and trucks (up six percent) all underscore that there is growing interest under the surface.

It’s not all roses, however. Despite moving in the right direction, four of Hagerty’s seven indices are still below where they were a year ago, even if only by a point or two. Expensive "high-volume" cars such as the Ferrari 275 GTB continue to drop, down four percent over four months and nine percent year over year, which will likely keep the best examples off the market for a little while longer. Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadsters, down six percent, are also on the same track. Despite interest generally creeping upmarket, cars in the $500,000–$1,000,000 range are still down one percent from a year ago. Cars in this segment may be moving up, but they are starting from a trough.

Some other cars that were major movers in 2016 have started to coast. The Ferrari Enzo jumped in value by 76 percent in 2016, only to increase by just nine percent in 2017. Early Volkswagen Beetles (1946–48) are up four percent over the past 12 months following a 21-percent climb in 2016. And the Ferrari F355 adjusted downward by nearly 10 percent this year after increasing by an average of 46 percent a year ago. There are dozens of other examples that show cars either losing speed or changing direction.

All of this is a great reminder of another similarity between collector cars and commodities: There are few sure things. While prospects are looking up for next year, individual results can vary greatly.

-Content used with permission, received from, and originally published by Hagerty