The short answer: don't sign with the first truck that pulls up after a storm. That first wave is usually out-of-town storm-chasers working on volume. Wait about two weeks for them to move on, then have a qualified local contractor do a full property inspection, not just the roof, and photo-document everything. That protects both your home and your claim.
A big Wisconsin storm is a scary thing to wake up to. Downed trees, dented cars, broken windows, and every leaf stripped off the trees and covering the street. If you have owned a home here more than a few years, you have probably been through it. The questions start right away: do I have damage? What happens if I do not fix it fast? Do I have to pay for this out of pocket? Those are all real, and this is where a lot of homeowners make their first mistake.
The trucks that show up first
Sometime after 8am, trucks start rolling into the neighborhood, some branded, some not. This first wave is the storm-chasers. There is an entire cottage industry of them that travels the country following catastrophic weather, and they will be the majority of the door-knockers on your porch that whole first week. They have no real affiliation with a local contractor. They knock, urge you to file a claim right now, and get you to sign a contingency document that says if they get you approved, they get the work. Then, if the carrier approves, they farm the job out to whatever contractor they choose. You do not pick who does the work, and often you do not get a say in the materials, how the roof is built, or what warranty comes with it.
Why the storm-chaser model works against you
Storm-chasers run on volume. They are only in your area for a short window before they move on to the next hail event somewhere else, so their goal is to file as many claims as fast as possible. They might stick around for the first adjuster meeting, or they might just let the adjuster come out alone and handle everything by phone and email after that. None of that is good for you or your home. You should never feel like a commodity, and that is exactly how a storm-chaser treats you.
What to do instead: wait, then go local
Our advice is to wait two weeks or more before doing anything. By then the storm-chasers have mostly moved on. Now you can call a qualified local contractor to come do a full property inspection. Storm-chasers, as a rule, only care about your roof. A local contractor is not in a rush and should take the time to inspect the entire property, because you may have damage to your siding, windows, gutters, AC unit, outdoor furniture, and more. All of that belongs in your claim, and all of it can get missed if someone only looks at the roof.
In Part 2, we cover how to actually file the claim, how to pick the right contractor, and whether filing will raise your rates.
Straight answers.
What should I do right after a hailstorm hits my home?
Do not rush to sign with a door-knocker. Wait about two weeks for the out-of-town storm-chasers to move on, then have a qualified local contractor do a full property inspection, roof plus siding, windows, gutters and more, and photo-document everything before you file.
What is a storm chaser roofing company?
A crew that travels the country following catastrophic storms, works on volume, and has no real tie to your area. They push you to file fast, get you to sign a contingency, then farm the actual work out to whatever contractor they choose, leaving you with little say in materials, workmanship, or warranty.
Should I sign with the first roofer that knocks on my door after a storm?
No. The first-week door-knockers are usually storm-chasers. Signing their contingency gives away your control over who does the work and how. Wait, then choose a local contractor you can actually vet.
How long should I wait to call a contractor after a storm?
About two weeks. By then the storm-chasers have generally moved to the next event, and you can bring in a local contractor who will take the time to inspect the whole property, not just the roof.
Think your home took a hit?
We'll come out, walk your whole property, document what we find, and tell you straight whether you have a claim. No pressure, no games.