The short answer: a storm chaser is a roofing crew that follows hail and wind into town, signs as many roofs as it can, and leaves before the problems show up. You can spot one by asking three things: Where is your office? What is your Tennessee license number? Who did you roof in this county last year? A local roofer answers all three without blinking.

After every big storm in Rutherford, Davidson and Williamson counties, the trucks show up within days. Some are honest crews from out of town. Many are not. The trouble usually starts a year later, when a leak shows up and the phone number on the contract doesn’t work anymore.

Red flags to watch for

• They knock first. A crew going door to door the morning after a storm, pointing at “damage” on your roof from the driveway.
• No local address. A P.O. box, a hotel room, or a cell number with an out of state area code. Look up the address they give you.
• Sign today pressure. “This price is only good today” or “the adjuster is coming tomorrow, sign now so we can meet him.”
• They offer to handle your claim. Promises to “fight the insurance company” or “get you a new roof for free.” In Tennessee, a roofer can’t act as your public adjuster.
• They offer to cover your deductible. Any version of “we’ll eat the deductible” or “we’ll make it up with a rebate.” Walk away.
• Big money up front. Asking for a large deposit or a payment before your insurance company has confirmed coverage.
• Climbing without asking. Getting on your roof without permission. Some bad actors have been caught creating “hail damage” with tools.
• A contract that signs over your claim. Read anything that mentions “assignment of benefits,” “direction to pay” or a large cancellation fee. Ask questions before you sign.

What Tennessee law says

Tennessee passed protections for homeowners in 2012 (Tennessee Code 62-6-601 through 62-6-605). In plain English:

• You get three business days to cancel if your insurance company denies all or part of the claim in writing. Send the cancellation in writing, signed and dated. If you mail it, it counts from the postmark (62-6-602).
• No payment until coverage is confirmed. On an insurance job, the roofer can’t require payment until your insurer confirms coverage or your cancellation window runs out. If you cancel, any deposit has to come back within 10 business days. Emergency repairs you agreed to in writing can still be billed (62-6-604).
• Roofers aren’t public adjusters. A roofer can’t negotiate your claim or advertise that they will, unless they’re licensed as a public adjuster (62-6-605).

How to check a license in Tennessee

Search the contractor’s name at verify.tn.gov. Two rules matter here:

• Any job of $25,000 or more needs a Tennessee contractor’s license from the Board for Licensing Contractors.
• In Rutherford and Davidson counties (and a handful of others across the state), residential work from $3,000 up to $24,999 needs a Home Improvement license, which requires a bond, general liability insurance and workers’ comp.

You can start with us: our Tennessee contractor license number is 84570. Look it up and compare.

Also ask for a certificate of insurance sent straight from their insurance agent, not a photocopy from their truck.

Why local matters after a storm

A roof is only as good as the crew that stands behind it. If a flashing leaks next spring, you want a roofer who lives here, answers the phone, and still has a reputation in La Vergne, Smyrna and Murfreesboro to protect. That’s the whole point of a workmanship warranty.

Here’s what you get from us after a storm:

1. A free inspection. We get on the roof, take dated photos, and show you what we found, good or bad.
2. A straight answer. If the damage isn’t worth a claim, we tell you. Sometimes a repair is all you need.
3. Paperwork you can use. Photos and a written estimate you can give your insurance company. The claim stays between you and your insurer, and we stay out of the negotiation.
4. Our own crew does the work. A full replacement takes about 1 day on average.
5. We never waive deductibles. You pay your deductible. That keeps you, and us, on the right side of the law.

Need to pay for repairs your insurance won’t cover? We offer financing through Acorn Finance.

Questions homeowners ask

Related: Storm damage repair · Insurance claim help · Emergency roofing · Our warranty. This page is general information, not legal advice.