Why You Should Be Wary of Storm Chasers in the Roofing Business

‍

After a storm passes through Central Minnesota, the real trouble sometimes comes later. Someone knocks on your door and offers a free roof inspection. They say they’ve been “working in the area,” or that your home has visible damage. Maybe they even tell you they can get it all covered by insurance.

This is the first sign you might be dealing with a storm chaser.

Storm chasers are roofing contractors that show up right after storms, often from out of town, and use high-pressure tactics to get you to sign a contract quickly. They aren’t there to help you in the long run. They’re there for fast profit.

At Zablocki Roofing & Exteriors, we’ve been part of this community for over 25 years. We believe you should have the information you need to make the right choice, not a rushed one. Here's what to watch for and how to protect yourself.

What Is a Storm Chaser?

Storm chasers are companies or individuals who travel from place to place, following severe weather. After a storm hits a region, they show up offering fast, affordable repairs.

It might sound convenient at first, but these contractors usually aren’t local, don’t have long-term service in mind, and often disappear once the work is done and paid for.

Why Door Knocking Should Raise Concerns

If you didn’t ask someone to come to your home, why are they there?

We include this in our downloadable storm chaser guide for good reason. When contractors knock on your door right after a storm, they are counting on you to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and ready to make a fast decision. That’s the moment they want to catch you in.

Local, established contractors don’t need to knock on doors. Our clients come to us because we’ve earned their trust and a good reputation.

Common Storm Chaser Tactics

Storm chasers often follow the same script, and it’s helpful to know what to watch for.

They Pressure You to Sign Immediately

They may say the deal is only available for a limited time, or that you need to act quickly before “your insurance window closes.” This is often not true. A reputable contractor will give you time to think and ask questions.

They Push You to File an Insurance Claim Right Away

Without understanding your insurance policy, filing a claim too soon can backfire. There’s a difference between Replacement Cost Value (RCV) and Actual Cash Value (ACV), and that difference affects how much of your roof repair is actually covered. Filing a claim too early, or unnecessarily, could leave you with surprise expenses.

They Claim to Handle Everything with Insurance

Some storm chasers say they’ll “take care of the insurance part.” But later, you may discover that parts of the repair were never covered or that they exaggerated the damage. If your insurer finds out, it could lead to denied claims or worse.

They Promise to Start Immediately

This might seem like a good thing, but it should raise a red flag. Quality contractors are often booked out for weeks. If someone says they can start tomorrow, it’s worth asking why they aren’t already in demand.

They Inflate the Damage

In some cases, they will tarp your entire roof even if the damage is limited to a small section. This creates inflated claims and higher costs, and can even cross into insurance fraud territory.

The Risks of Signing a Contract Too Soon

One of the most common ways homeowners get into trouble is by signing a contract before their insurance claim is approved.

Here’s why that’s a problem:

• You may be legally required to work with that contractor, even if your claim is denied
• The contract may include cancellation fees or penalties
• You lose the chance to compare quotes or hire someone you trust
• Some contracts may even prevent you from disputing the work later

According to our storm chaser guide, these contracts often lack a good faith estimate. Without one, you won’t know the real costs upfront, which can lead to financial strain, confusion with your insurer, or both.

What to Watch For

If someone shows up at your home offering roofing services after a storm, here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Did I contact them, or did they just show up?
• Can they provide a written, itemized estimate?
• Are they licensed and insured in Minnesota?
• Do they have local references or reviews I can check?
• Are they asking for payment before work begins?
• Are they pressuring me to sign something quickly?

You can also refer to our downloadable guide for a more complete checklist.

Why Local Matters

When you work with a local contractor, you’re hiring someone with real accountability. We live here, work here, and plan to stay here. That means we’re around if you need service later, if there’s a question about your warranty, or if something doesn’t go right the first time.

Storm chasers leave town as soon as the work dries up. When you need them, they’re already gone.

How Zablocki Roofing Is Different

We’ve been roofing homes in Central Minnesota for more than two decades, and we’ve earned the trust of homeowners across St. Cloud, Sartell, Foley, and beyond.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• We never go door to door
• We never pressure you into signing a contract
• We wait for your insurance to approve the work before moving forward
• We provide written, detailed estimates and explain every part of the process
• We use local, trained crews—never random subcontractors
• We offer a 10-year workmanship warranty on every roofing project

We also handle more than just roofing. From siding and windows to gutters and doors, we offer full exterior solutions so your home is protected from top to bottom.

Download Our Free Storm Chaser Warning Guide

We’ve created a simple, easy-to-follow guide that outlines all the warning signs of storm chaser scams, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you’re unsure about a roofing offer.

You can download the guide right here:

Click here to download the Storm Chaser Guide

Talk to a Roofing Partner You Can Trust

Storms are stressful enough. You don’t need high-pressure sales tactics on top of that. If you suspect damage to your roof or just want a second opinion, reach out to a company that’s been doing it the right way for years.

Call Zablocki Roofing & Exteriors

We’re here to help when you’re ready, not when someone knocks on your door.

‍