How to Spot Storm Chaser Roofing Scams After DFW Hail

Within a day or two of a big DFW hailstorm, the knocks on the door start. Some come from honest local roofers, but many come from out-of-town crews who follow storms from state to state, sign as many contracts as they can, and are gone before the first warranty call. Knowing Texas law and a few warning signs can save you thousands of dollars and a bad roof.

How storm chasers operate

Storm chasers track hail reports and move into neighborhoods right after a storm. The pattern is familiar:

• A door knocker offers a free inspection and says your roof is "totaled," sometimes before getting on a ladder.
• They ask you to sign something so they can "meet the adjuster" or "start the claim."
• Yard signs go up across the neighborhood within days.
• The work is rushed, often subcontracted, and the company is hard to reach once the job is paid.

Not every door knocker is a scammer, and plenty of local companies canvass after storms. The point is to slow down and check before you sign.

Texas law on deductibles: no waivers, no rebates

The most common storm chaser pitch in Texas is "we'll cover your deductible." That is illegal. Since September 1, 2019, Texas law has made it an offense for a contractor paid from insurance proceeds to waive, rebate or absorb a homeowner's deductible, or to advertise that it will.

• Insurance Code Chapter 707 requires the insured person to pay any deductible on a property insurance claim, and lets the insurer withhold replacement cost payments until it receives reasonable proof that you paid it, such as a canceled check or credit card statement.
• Business and Commerce Code Section 27.02 prohibits contractors from waiving, rebating or absorbing the deductible, and from knowingly allowing a homeowner to skip paying it.
• Contracts over $1,000 that will be paid from insurance proceeds must include a notice that the homeowner is responsible for the deductible.

TDI says violators can face fines of up to $2,000 and up to six months in jail, and homeowners who knowingly go along with a waiver can also be charged. See TDI's summary, Roofing and insurance: Know the law.

Roofers cannot act as your adjuster

Under Texas Insurance Code Section 4102.163, a contractor cannot act as a public adjuster on a claim where it is doing the repairs, and cannot advertise that it will. TDI gives examples of what is off limits: offering to negotiate your settlement or file a claim for you, promising to recover "every dime you are owed," or representing you to the insurer on coverage questions.

A legitimate roofer can still inspect your roof, document damage, provide an estimate, and meet the adjuster to point out what they found. What they cannot do is negotiate your claim. If you need someone to negotiate, hire a licensed public adjuster separately or work directly with your insurer.

Red flags to watch for

TDI and the Texas Attorney General list several warning signs. Be cautious if a contractor:

• Offers to waive, rebate or "work with" your deductible.
• Asks you to sign something before giving you a written estimate. It may be a binding contract.
• Hands you a contract with blank spaces that could be filled in later.
• Demands full payment or a large deposit before any work begins.
• Has no local address, only a cell number, or out-of-state plates and paperwork.
• Pressures you with a "today only" price or claims the insurer's deadline is about to pass.
• Offers to handle the claim or "deal with" your insurance company for you.
• Will not provide proof of insurance.

Questions to ask before you sign

1. Where is your office? Get a physical local address, not a hotel or P.O. box, and drive by if you are unsure.
2. How long have you worked in DFW? Ask for local references from past jobs and call them.
3. Can I see your insurance? Ask for certificates of general liability and workers' compensation coverage, then call the insurer to confirm they are active.
4. Who will do the work? Find out whether the crew is your contractor's own or a subcontractor.
5. Who pulls the permit? A reputable roofer pulls the permit in the contractor's name.
6. What warranty do you offer on workmanship? Get it in writing, and ask who honors it if the company leaves the area.
7. Does the contract include the deductible notice? If the job will be paid from insurance and is over $1,000, it should.

Pay by check or credit card so you have a record, and never pay in full before the work is complete.

Check registration and permits with your city

Texas does not have a state license for roofing contractors. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation does not regulate roofers, so a state license number is not something you can look up. That makes local checks more important.

Most DFW cities, including Dallas, require a building permit for a roof replacement, and many require contractors to register with the city before pulling permits. Before you sign, call your city's building inspection department or search its online permit portal to confirm the contractor is registered and has pulled permits there before. Also check the company with the Better Business Bureau and the Texas Secretary of State, and look for a long track record of reviews in your area.

Know your right to cancel

If you sign a contract at your home with a door-to-door seller, Texas law generally gives you three business days to cancel. According to the Texas Attorney General, the seller must give you a notice of cancellation form. Sign, date and mail it before midnight of the third business day, and keep a copy. The seller must refund your money within ten business days.

If you suspect a scam or a deductible waiver offer, report it to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508. For insurance questions, call the TDI help line at 800-252-3439.

Work with a local roofer you can find next year

After a storm, the best protection is a contractor who will still be here when you need them. Firewheel Roofing is a military-family owned roofing company based in Garland, serving Dallas, Plano, Rowlett, Richardson and the rest of DFW since 2014. We can inspect your roof, document any storm damage with photos, and explain your options for repair or replacement in plain terms. For more on the claim process, read our North Texas hail claim guide.

Call (469) 387-3848 or request a free estimate to schedule an inspection.