Across the State of Florida, Homeowners are Paying for AOB Fraud

Do You Know How to Protect Yourself from AOB Fraud?

Thousands of homeowners have no idea that the biggest reason for insurance rates going up isn’t to increase profits – instead, it’s because of the massive payouts every year due to insurance fraud.

When you think of insurance fraud, your first thought might be the classic “slip and fall” con from shows like “Better Call Saul”, or that neighbor you overheard bragging about how he claims his television was a 42 inch, not a 30 inch after a robbery.

The most common kind of fraud, however, is perpetrated not by homeowners themselves, but by contractors seeking to pad claims and charge the insurance company using inflated invoices. They take advantage of stressed and worried homeowners by pressuring them into signing the “Assignment of Benefits” (AOB) form. The con is simple. A roofer or other contractor shows up (either in response to a panicked call or often uninvited), says they can fix your problems right away, promises you won’t even have to pay your deductible, and informs you they’ll work directly with your insurance company – and then tells you all you have to do to get the ball rolling is sign a form.

The problem with signing an AOB form is that you instantly sign away all of the rights and benefits your insurance company provides you with. The contractor can then try to bill your insurance company for all kinds of work, regardless of whether it was needed or not.

If an investigation shows the bills submitted were falsified, the insurance company will refuse to pay – and then the scenario gets even worse for you as the homeowner. Either the company will come after you to pay the balance of their inflated claim, or they can actually use the AOB form to sue your insurance company fraudulently “on your behalf” – without your knowledge or consent.

You can avoid AOB fraud by following these steps:

Call your insurance company first – they are here to protect you. Don’t let a contractor or anyone else do this in your place – you need to speak to your insurance company yourself so you know for certain what to do next.
Don’t sign any AOB forms without speaking to your insurance company. You don’t want to sign away your rights and benefits unknowingly. If anyone tells you that you must sign an AOB to have your home repaired or losses covered, they are not being truthful.
Take pictures and write down everything you can about the losses and damages. Aside from emergency action, don’t allow any work to start until after you’ve properly documented everything.
Don’t lie to the police, your insurance company, or anyone else about damage or losses. Insurance fraud can lead to cancellation of policies, fines, and even jail time, tearing families apart.

Help fight fraud by not becoming complicit yourself and by reporting insurance fraud when you know about it or suspect a company is trying to commit fraud.

Suspect Fraud? Call the Olympus Policyholders Fraud Reporting Hotline

Olympus Insurance is committed to the prevention of fraud, harassment, and unethical behavior. Please contact our Special Investigations Unit at the number below to anonymously report fraud, harassment, and unethical behavior.

Special Investigations Unit: 866.281.2242

Stability, Strength, Service

Olympus Insurance Company is revolutionizing the Florida homeowners’ insurance market. With quality homeowner insurance products, financial strength, and superior service, you can be confident that Olympus is here to stay. Our uniquely disciplined organic growth strategy differentiates us from many other Florida insurers. The emphasis on steady, conservative expansion continually strengthens our financial position and enables Olympus to provide the finest possible service to Florida property owners. Agent or homeowner, inland or coastal, doing business with Olympus always means peace of mind.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not form a part of, replace, change or amend any terms, conditions, provisions or language within your Olympus Insurance policy. We encourage you to read your entire policy.