TDI offers tips for hail storm repairs

​​​AUSTIN – In the wake of the hailstorms that hit North Texas over the weekend, the Texas Department of Insurance​ (TDI) offers these tips for avoiding fraud while hiring a contractor for home repairs:

• Start with a call to your insurance company to get advice on what repairs should cost.
• Use local companies and check their references and contact numbers.
• Get written estimates. These should be on the company’s letterhead with clear contact information.
• Get more than one bid. This will help you gauge which offers are legitimate and which may be too high or too good to be true.
• Don’t pay the full amount in advance. Legitimate contractors may require a partial payment up front to get started, but your final payment should not be made until the job is finished.
• If you feel pressured or threatened, call the police.

TDI has sent investigators to North Texas to help deter fraud, which can range from shoddy repairs to price gouging. In the worst cases, people offering services to storm victims may simply take their money and run.

​If you have information about insurance fraud, file a complaint with TDI’s Fraud Unit online at www.tdi.texas.gov/fraud/index.html or by calling ​800-252-3439.

You can also file complaints against businesses with the Texas Attorney General’s Office at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov or by calling 800-252-8011.