Protects recent storm victims from potential repair scams
DES PLAINES, Ill., March 8, 2017 — The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) urges Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin to sign into law Senate Bill 128 to help protect storm victims and consumers from being victimized yet again by deceitful roofing contractors who engage in unethical and fraudulent roofing repair scams.
The bill, which has passed both the House and Senate, was supported by NICB and the Insurance Institute of Kentucky. As recent storms in Kentucky have demonstrated, being prepared with adequate property insurance makes good sense and SB 128 would help protect property owners from repair scams.
If signed by the governor, SB 128 would add much needed consumer protection against those roofing contractors who exploit victims of disasters. Not only does this fraudulent behavior illegitimately enrich unethical contractors, it contributes to increased insurance costs for all consumers in the disaster region.
SB 128 would also allow victims to seek recovery of damages from such scams.
“Storm victims are confronted with a series of decisions that make them vulnerable to roofing contractor scams,” said Tim Lynch, NICB government affairs director. “This is magnified when we see a large number of claims after a catastrophic event, such as a violent tornado. The last thing Kentucky storm victims need is to be preyed upon in the wake of a serious event, especially if their home was severely damaged.”
Disaster victims need time to recover from natural tragedies, and they do not need to waste time worrying about the legitimacy of contractors who appear sincere but seek to exploit them.
Gov. Bevin’s signature enacting SB 128 will greatly enhance consumer protection for all Kentuckians.