Storm Chaser Red Flags: How to Spot a Scam Roofer | RuinShield
Learn the warning signs of storm-chaser roofing scams: out-of-state registration, pressure to sign an ACV check, no permit history, and door-knock solicitation tactics.
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RuinShield frequently asked questions
What is the single biggest storm-chaser red flag?
Out-of-state business registration with no local address is the strongest data-derived signal. Across RuinShield's current 12-state roster of 58,724 roofing-contractor records, 7,350 carry an out-of-state registered address. Combined with a door-knock right after a storm and pressure to sign fast, it fits the transient out-of-area crew model.
Does a high Storm-Chaser Risk Score mean the roofer is a scammer?
No. The Risk Score is a transparent heuristic, not a verdict. A High band means several red flags stacked up and you should verify everything directly before any money or signature changes hands. Any single flag can have an innocent explanation; the score tells you how much to slow down, not who is guilty.
What does it mean if a contractor is not found in RuinShield?
A no-match is a prompt to verify, not proof the roofer is unlicensed. State coverage is partial, source records lag real-world changes, and a roofer can be legitimately licensed in a state or category we have not ingested. Resolve it with the issuing state board rather than treating it as a verdict.
Should I sign an Assignment of Benefits after a storm?
Be very cautious. An Assignment of Benefits (AOB) hands your insurance claim and its proceeds to the contractor, and high-pressure AOB or ACV-check demands before work starts are a classic storm-chaser tactic. You do not need to sign an AOB to get your roof repaired; open your own claim with your carrier first.
How does RuinShield use board disciplinary records?
Where covered — WA, IL, MN, and LA today, drawn from 19,581 board disciplinary records, and expanding — RuinShield flags whether a license is revoked, suspended, or disciplined and feeds that into the Risk Score. For states not yet covered, check disciplinary status directly with the issuing state board.