How to Hire a Contractor After Storm Damage (Without Getting Scammed)

Storm damage is stressful, and the pressure to act quickly can override your better judgment. That urgency is exactly what unlicensed storm chasers count on. The steps you take in the first 48–72 hours after a storm — before signing anything — will determine whether your insurance claim succeeds and whether the repairs are done right.

The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general issue warnings after every major storm about the surge of fraudulent contractors that follows. Knowing what to expect makes you a harder target.

What should I do immediately after storm damage before calling a contractor?

Before calling any contractor, contact your insurance company. Report the damage and ask for an adjuster to be assigned. Document everything with photos and video before any work begins — including damage you can see and any temporary repairs you make to prevent further loss. Insurance claims require documentation, and once repairs start, the evidence of original damage is gone.

Your insurer may send their own adjuster or preferred contractor. You are not required to use whoever your insurer suggests, but you should get their assessment before committing to any contractor. Many policies require insurer approval before major repairs begin.

What is a storm chaser contractor and why are they dangerous?

Storm chasers are contractors — often from out of state — who follow major weather events and canvas affected neighborhoods door-to-door offering immediate repairs. They are dangerous for several reasons: they frequently lack a license in your state, they may collect insurance money upfront and disappear, and their work is often substandard and not to local building code. A 2022 analysis by the Insurance Information Institute found that contractor fraud claims spike by 40% or more in counties affected by major storms within 30 days of the event.

Storm chasers rely on urgency. They will tell you the offer is only good today, that your neighbors are already signing, or that they can start immediately. A legitimate, licensed local contractor does not need to knock on your door.

How does the insurance claim process work when hiring a contractor?

After damage is documented and your adjuster has completed their assessment, you will receive a claim estimate. You can then hire a licensed contractor to perform the work. The contractor should provide a written bid that aligns with the scope of damage. If the contractor's estimate exceeds your insurance payout, you can negotiate with your insurer or pay the difference out of pocket.

Never sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) document that transfers your insurance claim rights to a contractor. AOB fraud is rampant in storm-affected areas and has been a major driver of insurance rate increases in states like Florida. When you sign an AOB, you hand control of your claim entirely to the contractor, who may inflate costs, sue your insurer, and leave you caught in the middle.

• Do not let a contractor “handle” your insurance claim — manage it yourself.
• Require all contractors to submit written bids that match the adjuster's scope of damage.
• Never pay a contractor before work begins, except a modest deposit (10–15% maximum).
• Never sign an Assignment of Benefits document.

What documentation should I keep throughout the repair process?

Keep copies of everything: the contractor's license, insurance certificate, signed contract, all invoices, all payments (use checks or credit cards for documentation), permits pulled, inspection reports, and before/after photos. If a dispute arises with the contractor or your insurer, this documentation is your entire case.

Store copies digitally as well as physically. Many homeowners lose paper records in the same storm that caused the damage — a cloud backup of your documentation is critical.

How do I verify a contractor's license after a storm?

Ask any contractor who contacts you for their state license number and the state where they are licensed. Then verify that number independently — do not rely on a license card they hand you, as these can be fabricated or outdated. Check your state's contractor licensing database to confirm the license is active, covers the work type, and matches the contractor's name.

After a storm, you may be checking multiple contractors quickly. CheckLicensed.comlets you verify any contractor's license status for $0.99 per check across all 50 states — fast enough to verify on the spot before the contractor leaves your driveway.