What Are Storm Chasers?

Storm chasers are a type of roofing salespeople. They go state to state “chasing” after big storms. These salespeople find the neighborhoods that were hit hardest and go door-to-door offering free inspections. They almost always tell you to file a claim and pressure you to do it on the spot.

They do not have a home office in the area. Usually, they haven’t been in business very long and do not have a solid team of roofers. Instead, they utilize subcontractors who may not even be certified or skilled in roofing.

The result? Poorly installed roofs that don’t last long and develop issues within a few years of installation. When those problems do come, the roofing company is no longer there to help.

That’s why, even when it’s an insurance job, you want to make sure you pick the right roofer. Otherwise, you could be paying for the contractor’s mistakes out-of-pocket.

So, how do you spot these storm chasers?

How to Spot a Storm Chaser

1. They go door to door uninvited.

They don’t have enough business otherwise, and they don’t have a strong enough reputation to let the homeowners approach them.

2. They push you to file a claim right away.

You always have time to do your research. Even if your roof is leaking, there are ways to temporarily fix leaks so you can take your time to weigh your options. Storm chasers are not around for very long, so they will push you to decide right away so they can get the job and go.

3. They make you sign something before going on the roof.

Be very wary of what you sign. If a roofer asks you to sign something before they go on your roof, it could secretly be an agreement to use them as your roofer, and then you’re stuck.

4. Their crew does not have any company gear.

When a crew doesn’t match the company, chances are they are subcontractors.

5. Their license plate is from another state.

If your roofer has a license plate from another state, it’s a tell-tale sign they are not local.

6. They have a “lifetime” workmanship warranty.

When they say they have a lifetime workmanship warranty, that is a huge red flag. No business can promise that, because no business can guarantee they will be around that long.

7. They won’t provide you a quote without seeing the insurance paperwork.

Many storm chasers insist on seeing your insurance paperwork. Yes, insurance paperwork is incredibly helpful for a roofer. It has all your roof measurements, making it easier and faster to put together a quote. We sometimes ask for it too, but we never require it. Storm chasers require your insurance paperwork so they can match their quote to it to maximize their profits–even if their job doesn’t actually cost that much.

8. They offer to “pay” your deductible.

Number one, this is illegal. Number two, they probably will just add the cost of your deductible to the roofing quote to make up for it.

Each of these clues should act as a “stop” sign for you. If you notice any of these things, you’ll want to pause and do some research before moving forward with that contractor.