It also can bring out the worst: storm-chasing contractors who descend on hard-hit areas to scam homeowners and insurance companies; normally honest people tempted to wheedle a little more than they know they deserve from insurance companies.
"We have found cases of some (contractors) causing additional damage in order to write up bigger estimates," said Mary Jo Hudson, director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Insurance fraud from property and casualty claims runs about $30 billion a year, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This adds an equivalent amount to the premiums paid by policyholders.
There are many different types. Home or business owners who knowingly work with a contractor to artificially inflate an estimate are committing insurance fraud.
"Our claims adjusters are trained to inspect damage and know the difference between damage from hail and wind versus damage mechanically done," said Jeff Henderson, assistant vice president of claims operations for Motorists Mutual Insurance.
Such fraud, he said, could lead to a policy being voided.
Also engaging in insurance fraud are contractors who charge a fee to represent a homeowner in discussions with their insurance company or persuade them to grant them power of attorney.
"These are criminal offenses," Hudson said. "We are a law-enforcement agency and work with local prosecutors to prosecute fraud cases."
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