Storm Chaser Roofers

How This Scam Works

After a hail or wind event, contractors from out of state or distant Texas cities flood the area in unmarked pickup trucks. They knock door-to-door, often within 24 hours of a storm. Their pitch: "We already see damage from the street — we can get your insurance to pay for a free roof." They rush you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) or a direction-to-pay letter before you fully understand the scope. Once signed, they manage your claim — and you may lose control of your settlement. Work quality is often below local standards, and once they leave town, there's no one to call when the roof leaks.

Warning Signs

• Out-of-state license plates or a business address you can't verify
• Knocking on your door within 24–48 hours of a storm, unsolicited
• Asking you to sign any document before providing a written estimate
• Promising to "make your deductible disappear" or pay it themselves
• Pressure to decide before the "deal expires" or before you get other quotes
• No local office, no Texas business registration, no local references
• Won't provide a contractor's license number or insurance certificate

What To Do Instead

Wait 48 hours before making any decisions. Use a flashlight to document your own roof from the ground (safely). Call your insurance company directly to start the claim — don't let a contractor open it on your behalf. Get three quotes from contractors who have a physical local presence and can pull permits in your county. Verify license and insurance through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (tdlr.texas.gov).

Texas Law