What Is a Storm Chaser?
"Storm chaser" is industry slang for roofing contractors who move from disaster zone to disaster zone following storm damage. Some are legitimate out-of-state companies handling overflow work. Many are not they're operators who:
- Aren't licensed in Florida (Florida requires specific state licensing for roofing)
- Lack proper insurance
- Do cut-rate work with inferior materials
- Disappear before warranty work is needed
- Commit insurance fraud
- Leave homeowners worse off than the damage itself
Florida is a top storm-chaser target because of hurricane frequency, older housing stock, and the insurance claim opportunities storms create. Every major storm brings them.
Red Flag #1: Door-to-Door Solicitation
Legitimate local roofers don't canvass neighborhoods after storms. Their phone is already ringing they don't need to knock doors. If someone knocks on your door offering roof services, be skeptical.
Common opener: "I'm in the area and noticed some damage on your roof I can take a look for free." They may offer to climb up and check. Sometimes they create damage they "find" to justify a claim. Sometimes they take photos from other homes' damage and claim it's yours.
What to do: Politely decline. Never let anyone on your roof who you didn't specifically call. Get your own inspection from a locally known licensed roofer.
Red Flag #2: Out-of-State Plates and Trucks
Look at the contractor's truck. Is it a Florida plate? Is there a Florida business license visible? Does the truck have the contractor's business name, license number, and local address?
Common scam: Trucks with plates from Texas, Alabama, Georgia, or far-flung states showing up after storms. These may belong to legitimate out-of-state companies, but they're higher-risk because they won't be around for warranty work 2 years from now.
What to do: Verify the contractor is licensed in Florida at myfloridalicense.com. Look up their license number. Verify they have a Florida business address.
Red Flag #3: "We'll Eat Your Deductible"
This is ILLEGAL in Florida. Florida Statute 817.234(8) makes it illegal for contractors to offer to waive, rebate, or absorb insurance deductibles. It's insurance fraud.
Any contractor offering to "eat" or "waive" your deductible is:
- Breaking Florida law
- Exposing YOU to potential fraud liability as a participant
- Demonstrating they have no ethical brakes what else are they willing to do wrong?
- Either inflating the insurance claim or cutting corners on your work to cover the "eaten" deductible
What to do: Walk away immediately. Report them to the Florida Department of Financial Services insurance fraud hotline: 1-800-378-0445.
Red Flag #4: Large Upfront Deposit Required
Legitimate Florida roofing contracts typically require deposits of 10-25% to lock in the job and start material ordering. "Small" upfront deposits are normal. What's NOT normal:
- 50% or more upfront
- Full payment demanded before work starts
- Cash-only requirements
- Deposits before even a written contract is signed
- Pressure to sign before you've reviewed the estimate
Florida law (Section 501.137) limits deposits on roofing contracts under most circumstances. Be suspicious of anyone demanding more than industry norms.
What to do: Standard deposit + remainder on completion = normal. Large upfront demands = walk away.
Red Flag #5: High-Pressure Sales Tactics
"This price is only good today." "We need to sign now or you lose your slot." "If you don't act immediately, we can't help you."
Legitimate contractors don't operate like used-car dealers. A real roofer's pricing isn't time-limited. Their inventory isn't vanishing. They want you to feel confident in your decision because confident customers refer more business.
Florida law gives you a 3-day right to cancel most residential contracts signed in your home. Storm-chasers often try to time-pressure you to rush signatures before you understand this right.
What to do: Any pressure to sign immediately = walk away. Take 24 hours minimum to review any contract. Get second opinions.
Red Flag #6: "Free Roof" Promises
"We can get insurance to pay for your entire new roof." "You're guaranteed a free roof." "We'll work with your insurance it won't cost you anything."
These are typically signs of insurance fraud. The claim being pursued is either:
- Exaggerated (more damage claimed than actually exists)
- Fabricated (damage that doesn't actually exist)
- Mislabeled (normal wear claimed as storm damage)
If insurance investigates later and finds fraud, YOU as the policyholder can be held liable even if the contractor initiated it. Your policy may be canceled, you may owe restitution, and you could face criminal charges in egregious cases.
What to do: Never let a contractor tell you what your insurance claim "should" be. Your carrier's adjuster determines the claim amount. Your contractor provides an independent estimate for actual work needed.
Red Flag #7: Assignment of Benefits (AOB) Demands
An "Assignment of Benefits" (AOB) is a document transferring your insurance rights to a third party (usually the contractor). They then deal directly with your insurance without you involved.
AOB abuse was so extensive in Florida that the state passed significant reform legislation in 2019 (SB 122) restricting AOB practices. But they still happen, and they still hurt homeowners.
Problems with AOBs:
- You lose control of your own insurance claim
- Contractor can sue the insurance company in your name
- Contractor inflated estimates become your problem, not theirs
- You're legally responsible for the amounts claimed
What to do: Read every document before signing. If AOB language is present, ask why and understand the implications. Most legitimate local contractors don't require AOBs.
Red Flag #8: No Permits
All roof replacement in Florida requires a building permit. Most significant repairs do too. Any contractor offering to do the work "without pulling permits" is breaking Florida law.
Problems with unpermitted work:
- No inspection = no verification of code compliance
- Your homeowners insurance may void coverage for unpermitted work
- When you sell the house, unpermitted work shows up in inspections
- Municipality can force you to pay fines and redo work
What to do: Confirm permits are included in the contract and will be pulled in the contractor's name.
Red Flag #9: No Local Business Address
Google the contractor's name. Do they come up with:
- A physical Florida address (not a PO box)?
- Google Business Profile with reviews?
- Local phone number (not a nationwide 800 number)?
- Florida state license on public record?
- BBB listing with complaint history you can review?
If any of these are missing, the contractor may not actually exist as a real local business. They could be a national franchise sending crews to your area with no local accountability, or a fly-by-night operation.
Red Flag #10: Vague Contracts
Legitimate contractors provide detailed written contracts with:
- Specific materials (brand, model, warranty)
- Specific scope of work (what's included, what's not)
- Specific schedule and timeline
- Specific payment terms
- Specific warranty on labor and materials
- Cancellation terms
Storm-chaser contracts are typically vague "Replace roof" with a total price and little detail. That lets them substitute cheaper materials, skip steps, and avoid accountability.
What to do: Demand itemized contracts. Any reluctance to provide detail is a red flag.
How to Verify a Legitimate Contractor
- Florida state license: Check at myfloridalicense.com. Roofing contractors need a CCC license. Building contractors often have CRC or CGC. State Certified Roofing holds BOTH CCC1334499 and CRC1335172.
- Insurance: Ask for certificates of general liability and workers compensation. Call the insurance company to verify.
- BBB rating: Check bbb.org for BBB accreditation and complaint history.
- Google reviews: Look for reviews with substance. Be wary of only 5-star reviews with no detail (potential fake reviews) and only negative reviews without owner responses.
- References: Ask for 3-5 recent local references. Call them.
- Physical business location: Drive by if possible. A real business has a real address.
- Years in business: How long have they been in your service area under the same name?
If You've Been Scammed
If you've already signed with a questionable contractor:
- Review Florida's 3-day right to cancel (applies to in-home signed contracts)
- Contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation: myfloridalicense.com
- File a complaint with the Florida Attorney General consumer protection
- Contact your insurance company if claim-related issues
- Consult a consumer protection attorney if significant money involved
The Local Alternative
State Certified Roofing has served Central Florida since 1990 from our Belleview office. Sarge (Sal Ybarra) is the owner, a U.S. Army veteran, and personally involved in every job. Dual-licensed (CCC1334499 + CRC1335172), fully insured, and here for the long haul. Call (352) 696-8989 for honest Central Florida roofing work.