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How do I know if a roofer is legit after a hailstorm in Texas?

Short answer: in Texas, a legitimate roofer will never offer to waive, rebate, or cover your insurance deductible, and will never offer to negotiate your claim with the insurer, because Texas law prohibits both. Beyond those two bright lines, check for a local address you can visit, proof of liability insurance, references from jobs at least a year old, and a written contract that names the materials, price, and warranty before any work starts.

What Texas laws protect me from storm chasers?

Two rules do most of the work, and both are explained on the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) page "Roofing and insurance: Know the law." First, Texas Business and Commerce Code section 27.02 makes it illegal for a contractor to offer to waive, rebate, or absorb your deductible. Second, Texas Insurance Code section 4102.163 bars a contractor who does or may do work on your property from acting as a public adjuster on that claim. If a roofer pitches either one, you have learned what you need to know about them.

What are the red flags of a storm chaser roofer?

The biggest one is pressure. A legitimate roofer will still be in business next month and does not need a signature today. Watch for:

• An offer to "take care of" or "work with" your deductible, or a price that drops by exactly your deductible amount.
• Promises to "handle the insurance company for you" or to negotiate your settlement.
• A request to sign something on the first visit before you have a written estimate. Read anything labeled an authorization or agreement carefully; it may be a binding contract.
• Out-of-state plates, no local office, and a phone number that only goes to voicemail.
• A large cash deposit up front, or a request to make checks payable to an individual.
• Damage "found" on a roof that the salesperson walked without your permission.

How do I vet a roofer, step by step?

1. Get two or three written estimates. Insist on line items and quantities, not a single number. Our guide on how to read a roofing quote shows what each line should say.
2. Verify the business. Look up the company name and physical address, and confirm it has been operating locally for more than one storm season.
3. Ask for a certificate of insurance. General liability at minimum, and workers' compensation or occupational accident coverage for the crew. Call the insurance agent on the certificate to confirm it is current.
4. Call references from older jobs. A roof installed a year or more ago tells you whether the company answers the phone when a leak shows up.
5. Check the manufacturer. If the roofer claims a manufacturer certification, confirm it on the manufacturer's own contractor locator.
6. Read the warranty terms. Get both the workmanship warranty and the shingle warranty in writing; our roof warranties explainer covers what voids each one.
7. Sign a complete contract. Brand and product line, scope, price, payment schedule, start window, cleanup, and permit responsibility. If insurance is paying and the job is $1,000 or more, look for the deductible notice Texas requires.

Can my roofer help with the insurance claim at all?

Yes, within limits. A Texas roofer can inspect the roof, photograph damage, write an estimate, and meet the adjuster to point out what they found. What a roofer cannot do is argue coverage or negotiate the payout on your behalf. If the claim is denied or the payment is too low, the people who can fight it are you, a Texas attorney, or a licensed public adjuster; our sister site explains what a public adjuster does and when to hire one.

What if I already signed with a bad roofer?

Stop paying, gather the contract, receipts, texts, and photos, and get advice before you sign anything else. Report a deductible waiver offer to the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508, as TDI recommends. Do not let a second company tear off the roof until the existing damage and any bad work are photographed.

This article is general information, not legal advice. For a dispute over a contract or an insurance claim, talk to a Texas attorney or licensed public adjuster.

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal for a roofer to pay my insurance deductible in Texas?

No. TDI explains that Texas Business and Commerce Code section 27.02 makes it illegal for a contractor to offer to waive, rebate, or absorb your deductible, and Insurance Code Chapter 707 requires you to pay it.

Can my roofer negotiate my insurance claim for me in Texas?

No. Texas Insurance Code section 4102.163 bars a contractor working on the property from acting as a public adjuster on that claim. A roofer can document damage and explain the estimate.

What should a Texas roofing contract include when insurance is paying?

A contract of $1,000 or more involving an insurance settlement must include a notice that you must pay the deductible. It should also list materials, scope, price, payment schedule, and warranty.

Where do I complain about a bad roofer in Texas?

TDI says it cannot take complaints about roofers. Report deductible waivers and related violations to the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508.