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Roofing · After a storm

Storm chaser knocking after a hail event

Out-of-state crews follow storms and arrive in numbers wherever a big one has just landed. Check who they are before you sign anything. An offer to cover your deductible is an offer to commit fraud in your name.

Quick answerOut-of-state crews follow storms and arrive in numbers wherever a big one has just landed. Ask for a local business address, proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and a warranty that will still exist in five years. A contractor offering to cover your deductible is proposing to misrepresent the loss to your insurer. That’s fraud, and it’s your name on the claim, not theirs.

You don’t need to call anyone to handle this. You need a short list of questions and the confidence to say “not today” at the door. This is most common in neighborhoods built since 2000, where whole streets have the same roof and the same storm damage.

Thunderstorm with dark clouds
A thunderstorm. Out-of-state crews follow big storms from town to town. Photo by Josep Castells on Unsplash.

1Why storm chasers are a risk

  • They leave when the storms do. A warranty from a company with no local office may be worth nothing in a few years.
  • Insurance gaps become your problem. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, or the crew damages something, you may be the one dealing with it.
  • Pressure tactics. “Sign today” deals and contracts tied to your insurance claim lock you in before you’ve compared anyone.
  • Deductible offers. Covering or “waiving” your deductible means inflating the claim. Your insurer will hold you responsible.

2What to ask at the door

  1. Local business addressA real, local address, not a hotel or a P.O. box. Look it up afterward.
  2. Proof of insuranceCertificates for general liability and workers’ compensation. Call the insurer on the certificate to confirm it’s current.
  3. License or registrationAsk whether your city or state requires one, and check it yourself.
  4. The warranty in writingWho stands behind the workmanship, for how long, and how to reach them in five years.
  5. References nearbyRecent jobs in your area you can drive past, with names you can call.

3How to handle it

Do it yourself

  • Take a card and say you’ll call back
  • Report the storm damage to your insurer yourself
  • Get more than one local inspection or quote
  • Read every page before you sign

What not to do

  • Sign anything on the doorstep
  • Accept an offer to cover your deductible
  • Pay a large amount up front
  • Let a crew start before you have a written contract
Covering the deductible is fraud

A contractor who offers to cover your deductible is proposing to misrepresent the loss to your insurer. It’s your name on the claim, not theirs.

4What drives the cost

A storm claim usually leaves you paying the deductible, plus anything outside the approved scope. The work itself is priced by roof size, pitch, layers to remove, decking condition and the product you choose. A local contractor’s price may not be the lowest on the street, but their warranty is more likely to be there when you need it.

Roofing cost: what to expect and what to skip

5Questions

Are all door-knockers storm chasers?

No. Local roofers knock doors after storms too. The questions above sort them out quickly.

Should I let them inspect the roof for free?

You can, but you don’t have to. If you do, ask for photos and don’t sign anything until you’ve compared.

What if the damage is small?

It may be under your deductible. See damage that might be under the deductible.

Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Exterior Services earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.