After every big hailstorm, out-of-state "storm chasers" flood OKC neighborhoods knocking on doors. The honest crews are fine — but the bad ones cost homeowners thousands. Here's exactly how to spot them and protect yourself.
6 red flags of a storm-chaser scam
The high-pressure door knock. Shows up unannounced right after a storm and pushes you to "sign today before the price goes up."
Asks for a deposit before any work starts. Reputable roofers handling insurance work rarely need money up front.
Pushes an "insurance assignment" (AOB) contract. This hands your claim rights to the contractor — the single biggest trap. Never sign over your claim.
No local Oklahoma address. Out-of-state plates, a magnetic sign on the truck, and a cell number with an out-of-area code are warning signs.
Not registered with the Oklahoma CIB. Oklahoma requires roofing contractors to register with the Construction Industries Board. No registration number = walk away.
"We'll waive your deductible." That's insurance fraud in Oklahoma — and it drags you into it.
4 questions to ask any roofer before you sign
What's your Oklahoma CIB registration number? (Then verify it.)
What's your local address, and can you give me three recent OKC-metro references?
How do you handle my deductible? (The honest answer: you pay it — it's never legally waived.)
Will you meet my insurance adjuster on-site and put the full scope in writing?
How to verify a license in 2 minutes
Ask for the contractor's Oklahoma Construction Industries Board (CIB) registration number, then confirm it before signing anything. A legitimate local roofer will hand it over without hesitation. Combine that with a real local address and references you actually call, and the storm chasers screen themselves out.
Get the next one before the storm does
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