When you hear the words “Storm Chaser,” what do you think of? Chances are, the first image that comes to mind is of scientists with a videocamera — or a smartphone — who follow severe weather to learn more about it. You probably won’t want to see these storm chasers in your area, because that means that severe weather is nearby.

However, there is another kind of storm chaser — the Home Repair Storm Chaser. You don’t want to encounter these individuals either, and with hurricane season just around the corner in Brazoria County we’ve like to delve into this topic.

What is a Home Repair Storm Chaser?

When severe weather damages your home, you likely will turn to your home insurance policy to pay for repairs. Many policies cover damages for a variety of weather phenomena.

Home insurance coverage is a convenient service that helps get you back on your feet quickly in the wake of expensive repairs. Unfortunately, that also makes it a favorite target for dishonest home repair companies.

These companies are colloquially known as Storm Chasers. Much like “Ambulance Chasing Lawyers,” these sketchy repair providers will travel to areas that are at a high-risk for severe weather. When a storm hits, they’ll approach home owners and promise to complete home repairs quickly and affordably.

This sales pitch is often appealing to homeowners, as local contractors often struggle to keep up with repairs following severe weather. However, Home Repair Storm Chasers seldom live up to their promises.

Why Home Repair Storm Chasers Harm Communities

Home Repair Storm Chasers want to get as much money from your insurance company as possible. As such, they employ many different dishonest sales methods that can threaten your insurability.

After a storm, these companies often send salespeople into an affected area. These individuals often greatly over-value home damages and promise to repair homes quickly.

Many unsuspecting homeowners will take the bait and sign up for repairs — not realizing that these companies will cut corners at every opportunity.

Home Repair Storm Chasers often use cheap materials to repair the home. This helps them maximize profits from the insurance payments, but it leaves the repaired home in a weakened condition.

These companies also tend to use cheap labor. This can cause further risk, as these repair teams are generally inexperienced and don’t know the local building code.

This potent combination can leave homeowners holding their breath the next time severe weather rolls through their area.

They Might Threaten Your Insurability

Shoddy repair work is unlikely to stand up to future severe weather events. So, if you paid a Home Repair Storm Chaser to fix some damage, you could find yourself filing another home insurance claim the next time a storm rolls through. 

These claims can quickly add up, and they can even cause your home insurance company to deem you as a high risk customer. You might see your home insurance rates increase as a result. And you could even lose coverage if your insurer deems your home uninsurable.

If you use a Home Repair Storm Chaser even once, you’ll put your home at risk for a cycle of reoccurring damages down the road. You’ll also greatly increase your insurance risks.

You could try to seek restitution from a these companies, but this process is expensive and might not succeed. Furthermore, Home Repair Storm Chasers are known to move from area to area to avoid any legal trouble.

Be On The Safe Side

Always be aware of Home Repair Storm Chasers. If your home is damaged by severe weather, you should take time to explore your repair options.

Only use a contractor who has established roots in your community. These contractors are more reputable, and they’re more likely to understand local building codes.

Furthermore, make sure you get adequate estimates of needed repairs. It often helps to get quotes from multiple contractors for repairs.

Home insurance is also a major part of this process. Make sure your coverage is up to snuff. Call Best Insurance at (979) 297-2655 for a free Lake Jackson home insurance quote.