EDITORIAL: Use caution, patience in dealing with hurricane repairs

OUR POSITION: Be cautious when selecting contractors to fix hurricane damage and be patient, but firm, with insurance companies that may be dragging their feet.

The national spotlight has mostly left our communities, but the rebuilding and aftermath continues after Hurricane Ian's destructive path.

Consumer protections — especially for homeowners, local nonprofits and small businesses — should continue to be a top priority and top community concern.

Unlicensed contractors remain a problem for homeowners needing repairs. Some of them are operating for a quick buck but others do shoddy work and will run out on jobs. Homeowners need to do their due diligence, especially asking for references and getting additional quotes on needed work.

We also need to be on the watch for price gouging — including from licensed contractors and suppliers who might use the hurricane, supply chain snafus and current inflation wave to jack up prices.

Inflation continues to hit consumers and businesses — especially in growth markets such as Florida. But reputable contractors and repair firms are reporting less scrupulous companies will charge excessive prices to consumers by saying key parts are higher than they really are.

That increases the need for customers to get multiple quotes, ask for references and reach out to the manufacturers of products with warranties to gauge prices and parts availability.

Trust your gut, ask your friends and neighbors for references and not getting bullied by pushy sales driven contractors are also key parts of that needed due diligence.

Contractors doing honest and solid work need to be touted and applauded on social media and by local chambers of commerce.

Conversely, the less honest and sometimes fraudulent contractors need to be reported to consumer protection and potentially law enforcement agencies.

We know it can embarrassing to get ripped-off — whether its' getting overcharged for repairs or being outright scammed.

But police and consumer agencies will remind you that you can report scam artists and less reputable businesses without telling others.

There are also continued concerns about the insurance claims related to Hurricane Ian.

Attorneys report receiving a number of calls from homeowners and local small businesses frustrated with insurance claims.

That includes high deductibles, some of which are running in the thousands of dollars, slow responses to policyholders and fights over how much insurers will pay for when it comes to hurricane damages.

Florida's insurance situation continues to be problematic — with those challenges confronting so many of our neighbors now after Ian.

In the short term, we need insurance companies to be responsive to homeowners needs and live up to their obligations and customer service commitments they tout so often in television commercials.

We need state regulators to crackdown on bad actors and press the industry, when needed, to move with pace on helping Florida customers.

We should also recognize the local agents and adjusters who are doing good work and who are helping their neighbors navigate the storm's aftermath. There are plenty of good actors locally trying to navigate a broken system.

Thus, in the long term, Florida's insurance system is broken. It needs to be fixed and overhauled. That is something the Florida Legislature will continue to look at in upcoming sessions.

The lessons and problems coming out of Hurricane Ian need to be front and center as lawmakers, regulators and the industry look at needed reforms.

Let's hope homeowners are front and center in those conservations and don't get lost in the halls of Tallahassee and corporate boardrooms.