Page 11 - AAA Schuylkill County – AAA Now! – March/April 2016

INSURANCE SERVICES
Don’t Get Burned After a Disaster
After a disaster, you will be facing many problems you probably have not confronted before. It may be helpful to keep the following in mind:
• Contact your insurance company immediately to report your loss.
• Keep copies of your documents and a log of the names of the people you speak with, along with dates, times and a summary of key points from each conversation.
• To the extent possible, prevent further loss to your property.
• Take pictures documenting damages.
• Do not call anyone to repair or replace your
loss without first getting instructions from your insurance company, since your insurer’s visual inspection of your loss may be necessary before repairs begin. Do not throw away damaged property until your insurance company advised you it is all right to do so.
• Do not rush into repairs or rebuilding without first considering all your alternatives. Before choosing a contractor, make sure the contractor is licensed, if required by your state.
CHECK THEM OUT
Public awareness and education are the keys to helping those affected by disasters to identify and avoid future problems.
Deal only with licensed contractors if your state requires licensure. Ask to see the contractor’s “pocket license” along with other identification. If the person claims to be representing a contractor, but cannot show you a contractor’s license or home improvement salesperson registration card, call the contractor and find out if the person is authorized to act on his or her behalf.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT PROPERTY REPAIR FRAUD
Fraud having to do with property repair usually involves unethical or incompetent building contractors. It should be considered a red flag if your contractor:
• does not maintain a local work office and/or does not have a local telephone number.
• is not able or willing to provide references. • uses a place of contact that’s a hotel,
tavern, work truck, or another place that is not his/her place of employment or residence.
• handles all business in person, avoiding the use of the mail.
• wants a full cash payment up front
• does not have adequate equipment to perform
the job.
• arrives at a loss site (home or business) without
being solicited.
• gives an estimate that is very general.
• does not have a contractor’s license bond, if
required by the state.
• is unwilling to provide a certificate of insurance
from his/her general liability or workers
compensation insurance carrier.
• gives you a bid far below the bids you have
received from other contractors. The old adage “If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is” applies here.
HELP COMBAT FRAUD
The most common fraud that occurs in the aftermath of a disaster generally involves price gouging, unauthorized property removal, and fraudulent charitable solicitations. Because property loss from a disaster can be so traumatic, victims of disaster can become easy targets
for fraud. If you suspect fraudulent activity,
contact your insurance company or go online and find out what the governing body for your state’s contractors is, and get in touch with them immediately.
For more information, call your AAA insurance agent or insurance customer service, or visit your local branch.
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Price does not reflect $10 AAA Member savings.
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Add’l equipment required. Add’l & Advanced Receiver fees apply. Minimum 2-room setup required for free Genie upgrade offer. With SELECTTM Package or above.
All DIRECTV offers require 24-month agreement.◊
AAA MEMBERS—Save $200! That’s an extra $10 discount every month for 20 months on top of price shown.^ Offers extended through 1/4/16. AAA Member Offer ends 12/31/16. New residential DIRECTV customers only (equipment lease required). Hardware available separately. Credit approval required. Credit card required (except in MA & PA). Pro-rated ECF fee (up to $480) and Equipment Non-Return fees apply.
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1-800-370-3578
DIRECTV is now part of the AT&T family. ^AAA MEMBER OFFER: Offer ends 12/31/16. New customers must sign up using the phone number provided (1-800-370-3578) and order their leased system (on approved credit). Upon activation of DIRECTV System and the SELECT Package or higher, customer will receive 20 nonrefundable/nontransferable credits of $10 each over 20 DIRECTV billing cycles, totaling $200. Commercial accounts/customers not eligible. *PACKAGE OFFER(S): Base package prices include Instant Bill Credit for 12 months. In certain markets, a Regional Sports fee of up to $5.64/mo. will be assessed with CHOICE and MÁS ULTRA Package and above. Customer must, at point of sale, activate and maintain a qualifying programming package and Auto Bill Pay. After 12 mos., then prevailing rate for base package applies (currently $49.99/mo. for SELECT) unless cancelled or changed by customer prior to end of the promotional period(s). Some offers may not be available through all channels and in select areas. Offers extended to 1/4/16. May not be combined with other DIRECTV offers, including refer-a-friend program.
†GENIE HD DVR UPGRADE OFFER: Includes instant rebates on one Genie HD DVR and up to three Genie Minis with activation of the SELECT Package or above; ÓPTIMO MÁS Package or above; or any qualifying international service bundle, which shall include the PREFERRED CHOICE programming package. A $99 fee applies for Wireless Genie Mini (model C41W) upgrade. Free upgrade offer requires a Genie HD DVR and at least one Genie Mini. $99 fee applies for single-room setup. Whole-Home HD DVR functionality requires a Genie HD DVR connected to one television and a Genie Mini, H25 HD Receiver(s) or a DIRECTV Ready TV/Device in each additional room. Limit of three remote viewings per Genie HD DVR at a time. Visit directv.com/genie for complete details. ◊GENERAL TV SERVICE TERMS: Subject to Equipment Lease Agreement and DIRECTV Customer Agreement. Must maintain a base TV package of $29.99/mo. or above or international service bundle. Advanced Receiver fee ($15/mo.) required for all HD DVRs. TiVo service fee ($5/mo.) required for TiVo HD DVR from DIRECTV lease. There is a fee of $6.50/mo. for each receiver and/or Genie Mini/DIRECTV Ready TV/Device on your account. $19.95 Handling & Delivery fee may apply. Non-activation charge of $150 per receiver may apply. Taxes not included. Programming, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change at any time. Installation: Standard professional installation included in up to four rooms only. Custom installation extra. Applicable use tax adjustment may apply on the retail value of the installation. Visit directv.com/legal or call 1-800-DIRECTV for details.
To access DIRECTV HD programming, HD equipment required. Number of HD channels based on package selection. ©2015 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, Globe logo, DIRECTV and all other DIRECTV marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
MARCH/APRIL 2016
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