AFTER THE STORM: DON'T GET GOT TWICE

A bad nor'easter costs some Staten Island homeowners a roof — and others, a roof plus a bad contractor decision made under pressure. Here's the sequence that protects you.

First 48 hours

• Document before touching anything — wide photos of the house, close-ups of every damaged area, shots of shingles or debris on the lawn, date-stamped.
• Stop active leaks safely — buckets and towels inside; leave ladder work and emergency tarping to insured professionals.
• Call your insurer early — most policies require prompt notice. Ask about your wind/hail deductible before any contractor conversation.

The storm-chaser trap

After every named storm, out-of-state crews sweep neighborhoods promising "free roofs through insurance." The pattern: pressure to sign an assignment-of-benefits, inflated claims, disappearing warranties. Rules of thumb: never sign anything the same day, verify the NYC HIC license, and be suspicious of anyone who found damage you can't see in your own photos.

Repair vs. claim

Small repairs below or near your deductible are usually better paid out of pocket — claims history follows your policy. Legitimate contractors will tell you when damage doesn't justify a claim; that honesty is worth keeping their number.

Common questions