We have heard many horror stories from homeowners who hired unlicensed and uninsured contractors to save a little money on their home repairs.
If you have right intentions and want to take the safest course here are a few tips on what to do and how.

1. Get a current copy of the contractor's license.
   Your homeowner policy may require you to have the work done by licensed personnel only.
   Coverage may be specifically excluded for the work of unlicensed contractor.
   Your mortgage may go into immediate acceleration if you use unlicensed personnel as the mortgage holder wants to be protected.
   
2. Check for liability insurance which covers any damage the contractor may do to your property or other sub's work.
   This covers situations like roof cave-in, rain damaging the interior while the roof is open, any damage caused to neighbors.
   
3. Make sure that workers comp coverage is in place.
   Most homeowner liability claims are due to personal injuries like somebody falling from the roof, stepping on a nail.
   If there is no workers comp coverage then you will be liable.
   
4. Ask for Projects and Completed operations coverage.
   This is most important protection homeowner needs to protect against defective workmanship.
   It covers to fix the roof if it falls in, repair the damage if a furnace is not properly installed and catches fire.
   If your contractor just quits in the middle then you will have recourse.
   
5. Get temporary umbrella coverage for additional protection.
   Umbrella coverage is relatively cheap and will cover the cases that may slip through the above checks.
   

Finally, don't take the contractor's word for it and don't ask for copies of the insurance policies.
Get the contact number of the insurance agent and verify that all of the policies are in-force.
There are many cases where the contractors claimed to have coverage when the policies have expired.
If you file home insurance claim, please visit http://www.
ReClaimsInc.
com/can-reclaims-help-you for an excellent free tool that helps you find out whether you got full settlement in 5 minutes of less.
You will find additional insights into home insurance claims.
You can also ask an expert any questions about your home insurance claim.