Texas doesn’t license roofers statewide, so there’s no state lookup that tells you a roofer is legitimate. The checks that do work are simple: a real local business, proof of insurance, a detailed written bid, and none of the red flags below. Hail season brings out-of-town crews who knock on doors and leave before problems show up, so go through this list before anyone gets on your roof or gets a signature.
What can a roofer legally do with my insurance claim?
A roofer can inspect the roof, document damage and meet the adjuster to point it out. What a roofer can’t do in Texas is act as your public adjuster on a job they’re also doing. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, that includes offering to negotiate your settlement, filing the claim for you, or saying they represent you on coverage. Ads that promise to recover “every dime you are owed” are a sign of exactly that.
Why “we’ll cover your deductible” is a red flag
It’s illegal in Texas for a contractor to offer to waive, rebate or absorb your deductible. State law also requires contracts of $1,000 or more that involve an insurance settlement to include a notice that you must pay the deductible, and it lets your insurer ask for proof that you paid it. A roofer who offers to “eat” the deductible is either breaking that law or making it up somewhere else in the bid. You can report it to the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508.
How to compare the roofers who pass
Get more than one written bid, and compare them line by line, not just on the total. The guide on reading a roofing bid covers what each line should say.
Checklist
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Common questions
Do roofers need a license in Texas?
No. Texas has no statewide license for roofers, so a license number won't tell you much. Check for a local address, a current certificate of insurance, recent local references and an itemized written bid instead. Some cities register contractors or require permits, so ask who pulls the permit for your job.
Can a roofer pay my insurance deductible for me?
No. It's illegal in Texas for a contractor to waive, rebate or absorb a policyholder's deductible, and your insurer can ask for proof that you paid it. If a roofer offers, treat it as a red flag about the whole bid. The Texas Attorney General takes reports at 800-621-0508.
How much should I pay a roofer up front?
Not the full price. The Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas Attorney General both advise against paying in full before the work, and suggest holding the final payment until the job is done. Agree on a payment schedule tied to stages of the work and put it in the contract.
Is it OK for my roofer to talk to my insurance adjuster?
Yes, to show the adjuster the damage they found. What a Texas roofer can't do is act as your public adjuster: negotiate the settlement, file the claim for you or speak for you on coverage. If they offer that, they're offering something Texas law doesn't allow on a job they're also doing.
How do I spot a storm chaser after hail?
Watch for door-to-door crews from out of town, pressure to sign the same day, "leftover materials" discounts, offers to cover your deductible or handle your claim, and requests to sign over your insurance check. A roofer who'll still be in town to honor the warranty won't mind you taking a few days to check them.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance, Tips for after hail or windstorms
- Texas Department of Insurance, Roofing and insurance: know the law
- Texas Attorney General, Warning about scams from contractors after hail storms
- Federal Trade Commission, Home repair scams
- NRCA, Experienced roofing professionals are key after severe weather