Man admits damaging homes, collecting insurance money to fix them

One of two men charged with damaging homes throughout Lehigh County to make it appear that hail was the culprit, then making repairs and getting paid through the homeowners' insurance, has pleaded guilty.

Dominik Sadowski, 35, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, a felony.


Lehigh County Judge Douglas G. Reichley sentenced him to four years of probation. Sadowski must also pay a $2,000 fine and $14,500 in restitution within two years.


Sadowski, who used to have a Sellersville address but now lists Hypoluxo, Fla., as his home, was charged with similar crimes in New Jersey. He was sentenced there Wednesday, receiving 100 hours of community service and four years' probation.


Sadowski's codefendant, Marcin Porzkowski, 36, of Quakertown, failed to show up for a preliminary hearing after his arrest and remains at large, authorities say.


An investigation determined that more than 100 homes may have been intentionally damaged in the scheme, police say.


According to court papers:
The Lehigh County Auto Theft and Insurance Fraud Task Force said it received numerous complaints from homeowners, insurance companies and contractors since April 2009 about shady business practices from a company that was soliciting repair work to supposedly hail-damaged homes.


Homeowners said they were unaware their homes had been damaged by storms until representatives from Precision Builders came unannounced and told them they had damage and could repair the work, which would be paid for by their insurance company.


Precision Builders also told the homeowners it would pay any deductible if homeowners advertised the business by placing a sign on their front yard.


Investigators conducted surveillance at homes in Lower Macungie and Salisbury townships and found that home inspectors for Precision Builders were using a screwdriver handle wrapped in duct tape and their knuckles to cause the damage.


Further investigation determined that Porzkowski and Sadowski instructed inspectors on how to cause damage to make it appear as though it had been caused by hail.


Later, insurance company adjusters told detectives the damage was inconsistent with hail.
Detectives said Precision Builders hired Eastern Contracting, Porzkowski's company, to do the repair work on homes. Sadowski was an inspector for the company.


Porzkowski and Sadowski were each charged with two counts of corrupt organizations, insurance fraud, criminal mischief and theft by deception.


Source: http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=345345&type=newswires

Pennsylvania DCED Announces Website Offering New Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps

To help residents and businesses to be better prepared for the risk of flooding, the Department of Community and Economic Development  has launched a website containing the new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).   

"Having up-to-date, digital access to Flood Insurance Rate Maps is a critical tool for homeowners and businesses when preparing for flood-related emergencies," said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker.   "Residents and local businesses can use the maps to determine if they are located in a floodplain and community officials can access the information to effectively create floodplain-management strategies to ensure public safety."        


The new website, www.pafloodmaps.com, contains a digital version of FEMA's floodplain maps which were established to designate specific areas that are special hazards or risk premium zones in order to determine whether flood insurance is required.
The site provides information to municipal officials, residents, and insurance agencies and brokers. It also alerts users to the potential risks and responsibilities associated with being located in a floodplain. 


The website also features an interactive risk-identification tool that allows users to enter an address and access information relating to that property. Users will also be able to determine if a property is in a floodplain, specific building code regulations that pertain to a property, and if there is a mandatory flood insurance requirement for that address.
The Governor's Center for Local Government Services (GCLGS), housed within DCED, provides technical resources and assistance for companies considering merger, consolidation and regional efforts. The center also serves as a resource for local government officials, developers, and citizens interested in planning to improve, grow and enhance communities.


Source; http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/747e08fc417143099e14944317fb466a/OR--Chemical-Spill

Summer Travel, Entertaining can Bring Special Insurance Concerns

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Insurance Department is reminding consumers to keep insurance needs in mind when vacationing, entertaining or enjoying other warm-weather activities.
For your home and property:

• Installing a pool, or already have one? Pools increase your liability risk so you will need to bring your homeowners policy up-to-date. Most policies include a minimum of $100,000 worth of liability protection, but pool owners may want to consider increasing the coverage amount to at least $300,000 to $500,000. 

Having a yard sale? Your homeowners and renter's insurance policies may provide liability protection to cover you against lawsuits if someone is injured or items are damaged on your property, but read your policy to be sure.
Taking an extended vacation? Insurance companies may consider unoccupied homes as high risk because they are at increased risk of theft, vandalism, fire, and water damage. Check with your insurance company before you leave for a long trip.

• Hosting a party? Consumers should look into a social host liability policy, which covers claims arising from injuries that may occur in your home. Policies can be purchased for limits ranging from $50,000 to $2 million.
  

For your means of travel:

• Renting a car? Your declarations page should state whether the coverage and deductibles you have on your own car apply to a rental vehicle. If it does not, consider buying the rental car insurance coverage offered by the agency.  
• Do you own a boat or a jet ski? If you own a personal watercraft, it is wise to purchase insurance coverage that includes bodily injury, property damage, liability and theft. If renting any type of watercraft, be sure to ask what type of insurance coverage the owner or operator has.
  

For your health and belongings:
Some insurance coverage does travel.

• Traveling away from home? Depending on your location and medical condition, you will want to check with your health insurance company to find out what type of coverage you have when you travel. Be sure to carry your insurance card with you.  

Items stolen while on vacation? In most cases, your homeowners policy will cover your personal property anywhere in the world, less your deductible.  Be sure to read your policy for dollar limits on items such as jewelry, firearms and silverware.
Need to insure your trip? Some insurance companies offer bundled packages of travel insurance that cover problems like identity theft, delayed or lost baggage, cancellation or medical issues. But just like any other type of policy, be sure to review it thoroughly because not all policies are the same.

• If you chose to insure your trip, be sure you are purchasing travel insurance and not cancellation waivers. Waivers are not insurance and are not regulated by the Insurance Department.
  

Visit the Pennsylvania Insurance Department online at www.insurance.state.pa.us.
Media contacts: Rosanne Placey or Melissa Fox, 717-787-3289
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Insurance
Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1dawZ)