Within hours of a major hailstorm hitting a Colorado neighborhood, the doorbell starts ringing. Pickup trucks with out-of-state plates appear on every street. Flyers show up on doorsteps. Friendly salespeople offer free inspections and promise to take care of everything with your insurance company.
Some of these people work for legitimate companies. Many do not. Storm chasing is a well-organized industry where companies follow severe weather across the country, descend on affected areas, collect contracts and deposits, do quick work, and move on to the next storm. The homeowners left behind are stuck with the consequences.
Here is how to tell the difference.
What is a Storm Chaser?
A storm chaser roofing company is a contractor that follows severe weather events across the country rather than maintaining a permanent local presence. They may be based hundreds or thousands of miles from your home. They arrive after storms, work the area for weeks or months, then leave when the work dries up.
Not every company that does storm work is a storm chaser. Many excellent local contractors derive a significant portion of their business from storm damage repair. The distinction is between companies with permanent local roots and companies that appear temporarily and leave.
Warning Signs of a Storm Chaser
They knock on your door unsolicited within days of a storm. This is the single most common storm chaser behavior. Legitimate local companies are busy responding to calls from existing customers and referrals after a storm. They generally do not have time or need to go door to door.
They offer to pay or waive your deductible. This is illegal in Colorado under CRS 10-4-121. A contractor who offers to cover your deductible is breaking the law. It can also constitute insurance fraud, which could jeopardize your claim and your policy.
They pressure you to sign a contract immediately. Storm chasers need to lock in contracts quickly before homeowners have time to research. A legitimate company gives you time to think, compare, and decide. High pressure on your doorstep is a red flag.
They have out-of-state plates, phone numbers, or addresses. Check the license plates on their vehicles. Ask for a business address and phone number. Verify that the address is a real office, not a P.O. box or a temporary rental.
They cannot provide local references or verifiable reviews. A storm chaser who just arrived in Colorado has no Colorado track record. If they cannot provide local references or have no Colorado-specific reviews, they are not a local company.
They want a large upfront deposit. Storm chasers sometimes collect a significant deposit (50 percent or more of the contract value) and then delay or abandon the project. Standard practice for legitimate contractors is a deposit of 10 to 30 percent with the balance on completion.
They do not have manufacturer certifications from major brands. Top manufacturer certifications (GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, CertainTeed Shingle Master, Malarkey Emerald Pro) require ongoing local presence, training, and quality standards. Storm chasers rarely hold these certifications because they do not meet the stability and longevity requirements.
Risks of Hiring a Storm Chaser
The risks are real and significant.
Poor installation quality. Storm chaser crews are often working fast to maximize volume before moving on. They may skip manufacturer-required steps, use incorrect nailing patterns, or cut corners on flashing, underlayment, and other critical components.
Voided or limited warranties. Without manufacturer certification, the warranty on your new roof is limited to the standard material warranty. If a problem arises, the manufacturer will not cover workmanship because the installer was not certified. And the storm chaser's own warranty is worthless if they have left the state.
No recourse for problems. If a leak develops six months after a storm chaser installed your roof, who do you call? They are in another state, following another storm. Their phone number may be disconnected. Their temporary office is closed. You are on your own.
Potential legal exposure. If the storm chaser offered to waive your deductible and you accepted, you may have participated in insurance fraud. If the insurance company discovers this, they could deny your claim, cancel your policy, or pursue legal action insurance claim assistance.
What Legitimate Roofing Companies Look Like
A legitimate local roofing company typically has a permanent office with a verifiable address in the Denver metro or your local area. They have been in business for years, not weeks. They have hundreds of reviews from local homeowners across multiple platforms (Google, BBB, etc.). They hold manufacturer certifications that can be verified directly with the manufacturer.
They do not pressure you to sign immediately. They provide written estimates with detailed scope. They explain the insurance process without promising to handle or manage your claim. They have proper licensing and insurance that can be independently verified. And they will still be here next year and the year after that storm damage services.
How to Protect Yourself
After a hailstorm, follow these steps to protect yourself from storm chasers.
Do not sign anything on your doorstep. Ever. Tell door-knockers you will research them and call if interested.
Verify everything independently. Google the company name. Check their reviews. Verify their address on Google Maps. Call the phone number and see who answers. Look up their manufacturer certifications on the manufacturer's website.
Get multiple estimates. Compare at least two or three estimates from different companies. This gives you a basis for comparison on price, scope, materials, and warranties.
Ask the questions that matter. How long have you been in Colorado? What is your local address? What manufacturer certifications do you hold? Can I verify them? What warranty do I receive?
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. A legitimate contractor will never pressure you, promise to waive your deductible, or create a sense of artificial urgency.
Reporting Storm Chasers
If a storm chaser offers to waive your deductible, you can report them to the Colorado Division of Insurance. This practice is illegal under state law and the Division investigates complaints. You can also report deceptive business practices to the Colorado Attorney General's office and the Better Business Bureau roof replacement services.
Gates Enterprises: A Local Company You Can Verify
Gates Enterprises is a Colorado-based roofing company with quadruple manufacturer certification (GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, Malarkey Emerald Pro, CertainTeed Shingle Master), over 301 Google reviews at 4.8 stars, and a permanent presence serving the Front Range. Every certification is verifiable. Every review is from a real Colorado homeowner.
Call (720) 766-3377 or contact us online for a no-pressure roof inspection from a company that will be here long after the storm chasers have left.