After every major hail event in Texas, hundreds of out-of-state "storm chaser" roofers descend on the Austin metro for 30-60 days, sign as many contracts as possible, and disappear before the work is finished — or before warranties can be honored. Here are the 12 signs to spot one in under 60 seconds.
⚠ Consumer Protection
After every major hail event in Texas, hundreds of out-of-state "storm chaser" roofers descend on the Austin metro for 30-60 days, sign as many contracts as possible, and disappear before the work is finished — or before warranties can be honored. Here are the 12 signs to spot one in under 60 seconds.
12 Red Flags — Walk Away Immediately
- Door-to-door canvassing in the days after a storm. Reputable Austin roofers do not knock on doors.
- Out-of-state license plate on the truck — Florida, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas plates are top indicators.
- P.O. box address on the business card or no physical Austin address on website.
- Offer to "waive" or "eat" your insurance deductible. This is a federal insurance fraud felony in Texas.
- Pressure to sign a contract today — "limited time storm pricing."
- Demand for full payment upfront or large deposit (over 20%).
- No verifiable Texas business registration — check Texas Secretary of State (sos.state.tx.us).
- No proof of general liability or workers comp insurance on request.
- No BBB Texas profile or BBB rating below B.
- No manufacturer certifications — not GAF Master Elite, not Owens Corning Preferred, not CertainTeed SELECT.
- Generic company name like "National Roofing," "USA Storm Restoration," "American Roofing" — designed to be forgettable.
- Website registered in last 12 months — check via whois.com. Pop-up domains are a hallmark.
The 60-second sniff test: Ask any roofer who knocks on your door for their (1) Texas business registration number, (2) physical Austin address, (3) GAF or Owens Corning certification number, and (4) BBB Texas profile URL. A legitimate contractor has all four memorized or on their phone. A storm chaser fumbles.
What Storm Chasers Actually Do
- Move into a metro within 7-14 days of a major hail event
- Knock on every door in the affected ZIP codes
- "Inspect" the roof from the ground (or briefly climb up to fake damage)
- Pressure-sell a contract before insurance has been notified
- File the claim themselves using the homeowner's information
- Collect the ACV insurance check, sometimes start work, often disappear before depreciation release
- If they finish, the work is fast, cheap, and uses materials that will fail in 5-7 years
- Leave the state before warranty claims can be honored
What to do if you've already signed: Texas Home Solicitation Act gives you 3 days to cancel any contract signed at your home (not the contractor's office). Send written cancellation via certified mail within 72 hours. If it's been longer, contact the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division and your insurance carrier immediately.