JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An elderly Jacksonville couple hired a company in September to remove mold in their home. But, the company is claiming it hasn't received a full payment from the couple's insurance company.
They're now asking them to pay the balance and have put a lien on their house. They came to the Ask Anthony team for help.
Joan Flores and her husband, Jose, hired a company called "Water and Mold Insurance Rebuild" to take care of a leak and remove mold in their bathroom and bedroom. The paper advertisement said at the top of the page "You paid your insurance. Let it cover the loss. We bill the insurance company directly."
"They told me don't worry. We will take care of everything," Joan Flores said.
The couple received a letter in December from the company that their insurance is not willing to pay the costs of their invoices, which totals $28,570, and a lien has been placed on their home.
"They're asking for $28,000 which I don't have. They threaten me that somebody has to come up with the money," Flores added.
According to a contract signed by Jose Flores, which the couple said was hard to read, they are responsible for what the insurance company doesn't pay.
"We're seniors. We only live from check to check. Social security. That's it," Flores explained.
The Flores' homeowners' insurance was with United Property and Casualty Insurance. The company recently became insolvent in the state of Florida, which means they didn't have enough money to cover polices and claims. The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association, a state non-profit created for this very issue, took over the claims and would be responsible for making payment.
Anthony Austin called Water and Insurance Mold Rebuild twice in the past week. Its corporate address is in Stuart, Florida. He wanted to know if the company had proof that the insurance claim was denied or that they never received payment.
He is still waiting on a response.
"I'm stressing out. This is going to cost money. Nobody is going to do it for free," Flores added.
The Ask Anthony team contacted the Florida Department of Financial Services about the insurance issue. We received a response that they're going to send this information to their Division of Consumer Services and their fraud detectives.
Water and Insurance Mold Rebuild has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau with one recent complaint that appears to be resolved.
Here's three things to know tonight before hiring a mold remediation company:
Get several estimates: Make sure each contractor gives you an estimate for the same work and then compare prices. This is a good way to ensure you don’t get overcharged.
Be alert to scams: Be wary of any contractor or consultant who uses scare tactics to try to make a sale. In addition, be extra cautious with unsolicited offers for mold remediation, whether they come by telephone, mail, or an in person offer.
Check for consumer complaints. Research all mold remediation contractors and companies with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the business has a good reputation. Check for reports of scams or complaints filed by previous clients before you sign a contract and agree to hire someone.