After the recent hail storms, unlicensed "storm chasers" are going door-to-door in Frisco, Prosper, Celina, and Allen offering free roof inspections.
The scam:
- They knock, say they noticed hail damage, offer a "free inspection"
- They climb on your roof, "find damage" (sometimes causing it themselves)
- They pressure you to sign a "direction to pay" or assignment of benefits
- That document gives them your insurance claim money directly
- They do shoddy work or disappear after collecting the check
Red flags:
- Door-to-door solicitation right after a storm
- Pressure to sign anything immediately
- Company name you've never heard of with out-of-state plates
- Offer to cover your deductible (this is actually insurance fraud)
- No Texas contractor license number on their materials
What to do instead:
- Call YOUR insurance company first
- Get 3 quotes from licensed, local roofers
- Verify licenses at TDLR (Texas Dept of Licensing)
- Never sign an assignment of benefits
Source: Texas Department of Insurance storm chaser warnings, BBB DFW
Every hail season like clockwork. Protect your neighbors.
Am I wrong here?
My neighbor signed with one of these companies last year. They collected $18K from insurance, did $6K worth of work, and ghosted. Still in litigation.