How to Spot a Storm Chaser
Out-of-state plates, door-to-door pitches, "we'll waive your deductible" — the red flags, and why storm chasers hurt legitimate claims in NJ.
A few hours after any significant North Jersey storm, out-of-town crews start working the neighborhood — knocking on doors, pointing at roofs from the sidewalk, and pushing same-day contracts. They call themselves storm chasers for a reason: they follow the weather from state to state, sign as many homeowners as possible in a few days, and are gone before the first callback.
Some of what they pitch isn't just aggressive sales — it's illegal in New Jersey. Waiving your insurance deductible is insurance fraud. An Assignment of Benefits signed before an adjuster ever sees the roof has enabled real "no repair, no refund" scams here. Neither tactic shows up on a legitimate NJ roofer's proposal.
Below are the five red flags that come up most often, what a legitimate NJ roofer does instead, and what to do if you've already signed something you're not sure about.
Five signs you're talking to a storm chaser
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"Hi, my crew is finishing a roof just down the block and we noticed some shingles missing on yours. We can add you on today for a discount if you sign right now."
Storm chaser
Classic door-knocker pressure pitch. Legitimate NJ contractors book appointments; they don't sell from your porch. High-pressure home solicitation is regulated under the NJ Consumer Fraud Act.
NJ Consumer Fraud Act · N.J.S.A. 56:8
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"I can waive your $2,500 insurance deductible if we handle the claim for you. Nothing out of pocket."
Insurance fraud
Waiving or absorbing an insurance deductible is insurance fraud in New Jersey — a third-degree crime. Both the contractor AND the homeowner can be prosecuted.
NJ Insurance Fraud Prevention Act · N.J.S.A. 17:33A-4
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"Sign this Assignment of Benefits so we can talk directly to your insurance adjuster on your behalf."
Storm chaser
An Assignment of Benefits hands the contractor control of your claim payment BEFORE the adjuster even looks at the roof. In NJ, this has enabled inflated invoices and "no repair, no refund" scams. Never sign one pre-inspection.
NJ Department of Banking & Insurance advisory · 2019
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"Salesperson looks at your roof from the driveway with binoculars, says you need "10 to 15 squares replaced," and hands you a contract. Never opens the attic hatch."
Storm chaser
You can't diagnose a roof from the driveway. A proper NJ storm-damage inspection includes the attic (looking UP for daylight and moisture), ridge, valleys, gutters, and flashing. Skipping the attic = skipping the diagnosis.
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"Promises a "lifetime warranty on labor" — but the company has been in business under this name for 8 months and has no online reviews before this year."
Storm chaser
A warranty is only as good as the entity backing it. Fly-by-night operations re-brand every 12–24 months to escape callbacks. Check the LLC formation date in the NJ Division of Revenue records before you sign anything.
Verify at business.nj.gov
"We'll waive your deductible" is insurance fraud — not a discount
It's the single most common storm-chaser line, and it sounds like a favor: "nothing out of pocket, we'll absorb your $2,500 deductible." In New Jersey, deliberately waiving or absorbing a policyholder's deductible — usually by inflating the invoice to hide it — is insurance fraud under the NJ Insurance Fraud Prevention Act, a third-degree crime. That exposure isn't limited to the contractor; a homeowner who knowingly goes along with it can be investigated too.
Your deductible is a real, contractual obligation to your insurer. A legitimate roofer will help you document damage thoroughly so your claim covers everything it's entitled to — but the deductible itself is yours to pay, every time.
What a legitimate NJ roofer looks like
What LGM does, every time
- NJ HIC License #13VH09733600. Verifiable at njconsumeraffairs.gov — displayed on every proposal.
- GAF Master Elite® Contractor · ID #1112549. Top 2% of U.S. roofers — the only tier authorized to issue Golden Pledge 50-yr coverage.
- Line-itemized written proposals. Tear-off, brand, model, underlayment spec, permit, disposal — nothing hidden in a single number.
- We pull every municipal permit. Under our name. You never sign as your own contractor of record.
- Attic + roof + flashing + gutter inspection. 20-minute visit inside and out. No driveway diagnoses.
- No deductible waiving. No Assignment of Benefits.. Your claim is your claim — we help you document damage, we don't take control of the payment.
Want to test yourself first? Play the storm-chaser-or-legit card flip on the Learning Center — same 10 real scenarios, cited to the actual NJ law or GAF policy behind each one.
If you've already signed with a door-to-door crew
Don't panic, and don't let anyone start tearing off your roof or ordering materials before you're sure. Many door-to-door home-improvement contracts carry a legally required right to cancel within a short window after signing — check the paperwork you were given for a cancellation notice, and if you don't see one, that's itself a warning sign.
If you're unsure what you signed or want a second opinion before any work begins, NJ's Division of Consumer Affairs can verify a contractor's HIC license and take a complaint. LGM will also give you a free, no-pressure second look at the roof and the contract terms — even if you didn't sign with us.
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Not sure if a quote you got is legitimate? Get a free second opinion.
We'll review the contract terms, inspect the roof ourselves, and tell you straight — no pressure. Call (973) 707-2154 or request online.