Storm Chasers and Public Adjusters: Don't Get Scammed After a Storm
After a major storm rolls through Lake and Porter counties, the damage isn't always the biggest threat Indiana homeowners face. Within days — sometimes hours — storm-chasing contractors and "public adjusters" begin canvassing neighborhoods, knocking on doors and offering to get you a brand new roof for free. It sounds appealing. It's almost never what it seems.
As the old adage goes: nothing is free. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself.
How the Storm Chaser Scam Works
The playbook is almost always the same. A rep shows up at your door — often right after a storm — and tells you your roof looks damaged. They ask about your insurance deductible. They promise that your homeowners insurance will cover a full roof replacement at little or no cost to you. Then they ask you to sign some paperwork.
That paperwork is the trap.
Once you sign, you've often given the contractor an assignment of benefits — meaning they can deal directly with your insurance company and collect payment without your involvement. Your insurance company cannot get you out of paperwork you've already signed. And by the time problems arise with the work — cheap materials, cut corners, missing details — the storm chaser is long gone, chasing the next storm in another state.
If It Sounds Too Good to Be True…
For anxious homeowners dealing with storm damage, the idea of a free roof is understandably appealing. A problem gets solved, little or no cash changes hands, and you end up with a new roof. Everybody wins, right?
Wrong. Storm chasers know exactly how insurance companies calculate payouts. Based on your roof's square footage, they can figure out the minimum amount needed to put on the cheapest possible roof — and pocket the difference. The homeowner gets the bare minimum, existing problems go unaddressed, and the roof is never truly restored to its original condition. And since the contractor has no local reputation to protect and won't be around for callbacks, there's zero incentive to do quality work.
Remember: a reputable company won't drop by uninvited to do work you haven't requested. You make the first move — you call the company of your choice, and you schedule the appointment on your terms.
They'll Also Lie About Your Insurance Premium
Storm chasers will often tell you that filing a claim won't affect your premium — that it won't be a surchargeable claim. This is not true. A roof claim is typically surchargeable, meaning your homeowners insurance premium can increase for 3 to 5 years after the claim, regardless of whether you stay with your current carrier or switch to a new one. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Questions to Ask Before You Trust Any Contractor
If someone shows up at your door after a storm, slow down and do your homework before signing anything or letting anyone on your roof:
- Are they licensed and insured in Indiana? Ask for proof of licensing and current insurance certificates.
- How long have they been in business? A company with no local history and no established reputation is a red flag.
- Can they provide local references? Real contractors have real customers you can call.
- Do they have positive online reviews? Check Google, the Better Business Bureau, and other review platforms.
- What materials will they use? Cheap materials installed quickly are a hallmark of storm chasers.
- Is the work under warranty — and will they be around to honor it? A contractor who will be in another state next month can't honor a warranty.
Watch Out for High-Pressure Tactics
Many storm chasers use urgency and pressure to push homeowners into fast decisions. They'll tell you the offer is only good today, that your neighbors are already signed up, or that your roof is in worse shape than it really is. Some homeowners have even reported that damage appeared on their roof after a storm chaser's "inspection" that wasn't there before.
Do not let anyone pressure you. Do not sign anything. Take your time, do your research, and make decisions on your schedule — not theirs.
What to Do If You Think You Have Storm Damage
- Call your insurance agent first — before you call a contractor and before you sign anything. Your agent will help you determine whether you actually have a claim worth filing and will walk you through the proper process.
- Choose your own local roofer — one that is well established in the Northwest Indiana area, has strong reviews, and that you've researched yourself.
- Document the damage yourself with photos before anyone touches the roof.
- Never sign paperwork with a contractor who came to you — especially an assignment of benefits agreement.
At Hoosier Insurance Agency, we've helped many Lake and Porter County homeowners navigate storm damage claims the right way — and avoid costly scams in the process. If a storm chaser has shown up at your door, or if you're not sure whether you have legitimate damage, call us before you do anything else. We're here to protect you.