Insurance Checks for Home Repairs

If your property is financed through CEFCU, any check you receive from your insurance company for repairs will be payable to you and CEFCU because your policy has CEFCU as the mortgagee. Before depositing or cashing a check, it will need to be endorsed by all payees except CEFCU before you send the check, your account number, and your contact information to:

CEFCU
Attn: First Mortgage/Insurance Claim Checks
5401 W. Dirksen Pkwy.
Peoria, IL 61607

We'll work with you so the funds are available to repair or rebuild your home.

More Information

Use the Insurance Check Checklist and contact us if you have questions or need info. A CEFCU representative will discuss with you whether you are repairing or rebuilding your home and if you are hiring a contractor or doing the work.

Choosing a Contractor

After disasters, legitimate contractors and others — even from out of state — will  offer help. Be aware that scammers can pose as home repair company representatives, too.

Typically, contractors will request a down payment for materials and/or a place on the schedule. Never pay the full amount up front; usually only 10-20% of the costs should be requested with additional payments during the progression of the work or when completed, depending on the size of the job.

Before you agree to any work:

  • Request and verify state contractor licenses.
  • See if the contractor has a local number/office.
  • Do not pay in cash, wire transfer, or gift card.
  • Guard your personal information.
  • Be skeptical of anyone who claims fast results.
  • Request any plans be put in writing.
  • Check bbb.org for any complaints.
  • Make sure the contractor has insurance to protect you against liabilities and injuries.
  • Ask about availability for any future warranty work.

The government does not charge for disaster relief applications, so do not pay anyone who asks for fees to complete them.

Phony Charities

Scammers will try to get you to donate to phony charities after a disaster. If you want to help financially:

  • Donate to legitimate charities, which you can find at:
    • Better Business Bureau — bbb.org
    • Charity Navigator — charitynavigator.org
    • Charity Watch — charitywatch.org
  • Avoid following donation links in unsolicited emails or texts.
  • Go directly to a legitimate charity’s website.

Visit ftc.gov/charity for more information.

Picking Up the Pieces After a Disaster