The Iowa House and Senate are discussing a bill that would protect homeowners from contractors who rush into towns hit by storms and offer quick repairs of damaged homes. But many of these contractors misrepresent themselves as working for an insurance company, or will quote low cost repairs then perform low quality work. Kyle Edwards ,with Van Gorp Insurors, says these chasers have been in Pella, but their company hasn’t had any problems with them. He says the first thing to do after your home is damaged by a storm is to call your agent.

Megan McKay-Ziller, with McKay Insurance, recommends using local contractors when doing repairs to your home. If you don’t know any local contractors, she says to ask your insurance agent or neighbors and friends for some local recommendations. McKay-Ziller says that even though some of the contractors that come into towns after storms may do honest work, it can be challenging to get a hold of them if a problem arises a year or more in the future. She says to do your research when hiring contractors and stay as local as possible.

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