Storm Chasers vs. Local Roofers: What Homeowners Need to Know When Filing Claims

Every time a major storm rolls through Houston, out-of-state roofing contractors descend on the metro area. They knock on doors, leave flyers and promise homeowners quick fixes. The most brazen sometimes even offer “free roofs.” These companies, often called storm chasers or “fly-by-night roofers,” are opportunistic contractors who travel from state to state, chasing storms and looking for quick jobs.
 
These roofers are typically bad news for homeowners, and you should always be wary of an out-of-town roofer who approaches you after a storm. While their pitches can sound appealing in the moment, homeowners should know that some key aspects of the storm chaser business model are illegal in Texas. Using them can create bigger problems down the road.

What Exactly Are Storm Chasers?

Storm chasers are out-of-town contractors who flood affected neighborhoods after severe weather. They often go door to door offering inspections, claiming they can work directly with your insurance company and promising low or even waived deductibles.

The problem? These contractors typically:

• Don’t have a local office or ongoing presence in the community.
• May use lower-quality materials or unlicensed crews to maximize profits.
• Often operate without proper insurance.
• Often commit insurance fraud, which implicates the homeowner as well. 
• Disappear once the job is done, leaving you with no warranty support if problems arise.

At first, the convenience can sound tempting. But once they’re gone, homeowners are left with no recourse if shingles blow off, leaks appear or the work wasn’t up to code.

The Truth About Deductible “Deals”

One of the most common tactics storm chasers use is offering to “cover” or “waive” your insurance deductible. For example, if your deductible is $2,000, they might claim they can do the work for “free” by inflating the invoice sent to your insurance company or hiding the cost in their pricing.

This often involves exaggerating or falsifying the extent of the damage to inflate the total claim, which is a form of insurance fraud that can leave the homeowner open to criminal prosecution and insurance cancellation.

Texas has even passed a law specifically to combat fly-by-night roofer insurance fraud because it has become a prevalent problem in the roofing industry.

Risks to Homeowners

In addition to criminal liability and future insurance problems, homeowners are also at risk of getting a subpar roofing job. A key part of the storm chaser scam is cutting corners on materials, installation methods, and labor to pocket as much of the inflated claim as possible.

Why Local Roofers Are the Safer Choice

In contrast, local roofers are members of the community with reputations to uphold and long-term customer relationships to maintain. Choosing a trusted local company offers several advantages:

• Accountability: Local roofers have a physical, long-term presence in the community. If there’s a problem with your roof, you know exactly where to find them.
  
  
• Better Workmanship and Materials: Because they’re invested in their reputation, local companies are more likely to use quality materials and trained crews. They understand Texas weather and building codes better than an out-of-state crew.
  
  
• Insurance Guidance You Can Trust: A reputable local roofer will explain the claims process honestly, never encourage you to commit fraud and will provide detailed documentation to support your legitimate claim.
  
  
• Warranties That Actually Mean Something: Storm chasers are gone the moment the job is done, but a local roofer will be around to honor warranties and stand behind their work years later.
  
  
• Investment in the Community: When you hire local, your money supports small businesses and jobs in your area, not out-of-town contractors who disappear with your check.

How to Spot a Storm Chaser

It can sometimes be tricky to tell a storm chaser from a legitimate contractor, but here are some warning signs:

• They appear immediately after a storm and start canvassing neighborhoods.
• They offer to cover your deductible or give you a “free roof.”
• They lack an address in your city or surrounding area.
• They push you to sign quickly, often with high-pressure tactics.
• Their license plates or business registration are from out of state.

If you notice these red flags, it’s best to walk away and look for a roofer with proven roots in the community.

Choose a Local Roofer You Can Trust in The Woodlands

At Perkins Roofing, we’ve been serving The Woodlands homeowners for years with honest, reliable storm damage repairs. We know the insurance process, respect the law and stand by our work long after the job.

As a company that has earned SELECT ShingleMaster™ certification with CertainTeed, we’re able to offer some of the strongest material warranties available, along with an industry-leading 25-year workmanship warranty.

Call us at (832) 702-0201 for a professional storm damage inspection and trusted guidance with your storm damage claim.