BBB Tip: Protect yourself from "storm chasers" after a natural disaster

Ask about your policy coverage and specific filing requirements. Be sure to confirm the insurance deductible that you will need to pay. Save all receipts, including those for food, temporary lodging, or other expenses that may be covered under your policy. Your insurance company may also have recommended contractors or specific requirements.

 Find businesses you can trust on BBB.org by looking for the Accredited Business Seal. Check your state or provincial government agency responsible for registering and/or licensing contractors. Get references from friends and relatives. 

Some storm chasers use tactics such as the “good deal” you’ll get only if you hire the contractor on the spot. Be proactive in selecting a contractor and not reactive to sales calls on the phone or door-to-door pitches with too-good-to-be-true offers on price and timelines. Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or to choose an unknown contractor.

Many municipalities require a solicitation permit if salespeople go door-to-door. Ask for identification. Check their vehicle for a business name, phone number, and license plates for your state or province. Also look to see if they display the BBB Accredited Business Seal- and check BBB.org to verify it. BBB requires Accredited Businesses to have proper licensure, and only ABs can display the Seal.

Get an invoice from the contractor and pay them directly. If the business allows it, consider paying with a credit card, which offers additional fraud protection over other forms of payment (but be aware of possible transaction fees). Don’t sign any documents that give the contractor rights to your insurance claims. Be sure to read any documents or contracts carefully before signing them. If you have questions, contact your insurance company or agent.

“Storm chasers” may ask for the full payment or a very large down payment before any work begins or any supplies delivered. This is a red flag, as the contractor would now have your money and could choose not to return to complete the job. Some contractors require a deposit or payment for materials (once they are delivered) before they start the job. If you have to pay a portion of the cost before any work begins, be sure to have a signed contract in place that outlines the payment terms and be able to see the items you are purchasing.

While most contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know to inspect your roof and other areas of your house. An unethical contractor may create damage to get work. The same goes for attics, crawl spaces, ducts, and other places you cannot easily access or see for yourself. Ask for pictures of the damage that allow you to verify they are of your home.

Keep tabs on the conditions of your roof, siding, gutters, and other exterior areas of your home often. You can even keep photos on hand to compare to the ones the contractor takes. If your home is damaged by a storm, you’ll have a better idea of what needs to be repaired versus what a “storm chaser” tells you should be fixed.