As part of its Contractor Fraud Awareness Week, the National Insurance Crime Bureau is offering tips to help policyholders spot and avoid dishonest contractors. (Credit: National Insurance Crime Bureau) As part of its Contractor Fraud Awareness Week, the National Insurance Crime Bureau is offering tips to help policyholders spot and avoid dishonest contractors. (Credit: National Insurance Crime Bureau)

Dishonest contractors preying on homeowners in the wake of a disaster can account for as much as 10% of annual natural catastrophe losses paid by the U.S. insurance industry, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), which is highlighting the stat as part of annual Contractor Fraud Awareness Week (May 22-May 26, 2023).

In 2021, insurers paid out $92 billion in catastrophe claims. Of that sum, $9.2 billion went to post-disaster fraudsters, according to NICB. These costs eventually trickle down to consumers, adding hundreds of dollars to annual home insurance premiums.

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Steve Hallo

Steve Hallo is managing editor of PropertyCasualty360.com. He can be reached at [email protected].  

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