Short answer: After ice storms, wind, hail, blizzards or other weather emergencies, unlicensed and high-pressure contractors often arrive before legitimate local crews. The Federal Trade Commission lists familiar red flags: claims that no license is needed, "sign now for a discount," demands that you sign over your insurance check, full payment up front, cash/wire/gift-card payment, and blank contracts. State regulators in Texas, Florida, California and Indiana say the same thing in insurance language: make temporary repairs to stop further damage, photograph first, save receipts—and do not start permanent repairs or hand control of your claim to a door-knocker until your insurer has seen the loss. This guide is national consumer protection for winter and storm repairs; it is not a state contractor-licensing encyclopedia.
General information only. Your policy and your state's contractor laws control.
Why winter and storm seasons attract repair scams
The FTC's February 2025 alert notes that whenever severe weather strikes—including blizzards, heavy winds or wildfire recoveries—scammers follow the news, appear right after the emergency, and offer to restore power or make essential repairs; if you pay, they may disappear, charge for work you do not need, or leave the job unfinished (FTC). Texas warns that out-of-town scam artists may be the first to arrive at your front door after a disaster (TDI). Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Unlicensed Activity program similarly flags storm-related home work as a high-risk category for unlicensed operators who push urgency, big deposits and cash (DBPR Before You Hire).
California's Department of Insurance issued a consumer alert after winter storms warning about contractor and related fraud risks during recovery and directing consumers to verify licenses and contact CDI at 800-927-4357 (CDI alert).
Temporary repairs vs. permanent repairs (insurance first)
State insurance departments draw a clear sequence:
| Step | What regulators say |
|---|---|
| 1. Safety and photos | Photograph and video damage before major work (TDI hail/wind tips; Indiana DOI; TDI FAQ). |
| 2. Temporary protection | Cover broken windows and roof holes, remove standing water, board openings—work that stops further damage (TDI; Indiana DOI). |
| 3. Notify the insurer | Call your company or agent promptly with your policy number. |
| 4. Hold permanent work | Texas: "It's generally OK to make temporary repairs. Don't make permanent repairs until you've talked to your insurance company." Photos before any work; the policy should pay for materials and labor used for those temporary repairs (TDI FAQ). Indiana: temporary repairs to prevent further damage; no permanent repairs until inspection or agreement (Indiana DOI). |
| 5. Keep receipts | Every tarp, board-up invoice and hotel bill supports the claim (TDI). |
Temporary repairs are about mitigation. Permanent roof replacement, full siding jobs and remodeling belong after the adjuster has documented the loss—or after you and the insurer agree on scope. Starting a full rebuild because a door-to-door crew insists "insurance will pay whatever we write" is how people end up fighting both a contractor and a claim denial.
Ask about additional living expenses if the home is unlivable after a covered storm loss (TDI); more detail is in additional living expenses coverage.
FTC red flags (national)
From the FTC's "How to avoid scams after weather emergencies" guidance (updated September 2025) (FTC):
Scam signs
- They claim they don't need a license.
- Discount only if you sign immediately.
- They tell you to sign over your insurance check.
- They want everything paid up front.
- They insist on wire transfer, gift card, payment app, cryptocurrency or cash.
- They ask you to sign a "blank contract."
- They steer you to a lender they know.
- They offer to help you qualify for FEMA relief—for a fee (FEMA does not charge application fees).
Safer practices
- Verify coverage with your insurer, not the contractor.
- Never sign the insurance check over to a contractor; the FTC suggests arranging a Certificate of Completion with your bank so funds release by stage after you approve work.
- Get multiple written estimates with scope, materials, price, completion date and contact information.
- Confirm license and insurance with your state or county; get a written contract with no blank spaces.
- If you signed a contract at home (or away from the seller's permanent place of business), the FTC notes a written statement of a three-business-day right to cancel should be included where that rule applies.
- Pay by credit card or check; never make the final payment until the work is done and you are satisfied.
- Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The FTC's shorter "four ways" list adds: watch for utility imposters who demand payment to "repair" equipment after a storm; hire only licensed, insured contractors with a written contract; never pay for repairs or debris removal in cash; and share ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies.
State insurance and licensing rules that show up after storms
Texas Department of Insurance
TDI's contractor-scam pages (signs of a contracting scam; how to avoid contracting scams, updated 12/9/2025):
- Don't sign something labeled an "estimate" or "roof release" without reading— it may be a binding contract.
- Never sign a contract with blank spaces.
- It is illegal for a contractor to waive your homeowners deductible or "work it into the bid"; report deductible-waiver offers to the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508.
- Never pay the entire bill up front; after a declared disaster, out-of-area contractors may not ask for payment before they start work.
- Get at least three written bids on company letterhead with phone and address; prefer local companies; check references; verify certificates of insurance and bonds by calling the listed insurers.
- Avoid contract language that says the homeowner agrees to repairs "for the value of insurance proceeds"—that can hand the contractor every dollar of the claim payment.
- Pay by check or credit card, not cash.
- TDI help line: 800-252-3439.
Florida (DFS / DBPR)
Florida's consumer FAQ on contractors and residential property after storms states that it is insurance fraud (punishable as a third-degree felony) for a contractor to knowingly waive, pay or rebate all or part of an insurance deductible for repairs covered by a property policy (Florida DFS CFO). Roof repair/replacement contracts must include a notice that the contractor must not offer rebates, gifts, gift cards, cash, coupons, deductible waivers or anything of value in exchange for a roof inspection or for making an insurance claim; without that notice, the consumer may void the contract within 10 days. After a governor-declared state of emergency, Florida also describes a 10-day cancellation window for roof contracts tied to that event (Florida DFS CFO).
DBPR's Before You Hire guidance treats big deposits, cash-only payment, missing written contracts, and missing license numbers on ads as major red flags, and notes that unlicensed work can lead to lost deposits and even insurance problems on the property (DBPR).
California
CDI's winter-storm consumer alert directs residents to be alert for fraud during recovery, verify who they hire, and call 800-927-4357 with questions (CDI). License checks for contractors in California run through the state contractors board; insurance questions go to CDI.
Indiana
Indiana's winter-weather insurance alert walks through claim steps that pair with anti-scam advice: call the insurer ASAP, photograph/video, temporary repairs only until inspection/agreement, save receipts, and contact the department if you dispute a settlement (Indiana DOI).
Claim checklist that keeps you out of the scam lane
- Document the weather damage with photos and video inside and out; don't throw damaged items away until the insurer says so (TDI).
- File the claim yourself with your insurer or agent—do not let a contractor "handle everything" or tell you what is covered (FTC).
- Authorize only temporary mitigation (tarps, board-up, water extraction) until the adjuster visits or you have agreement on permanent scope (TDI FAQ; Indiana DOI).
- Collect three written local bids after the adjuster has seen the loss when possible (TDI).
- Verify license and insurance; call the numbers on any certificate (TDI; FTC; DBPR).
- Read every contract—no blanks, no deductible waiver, no assignment of the entire insurance check without understanding your rights (FTC; TDI; Florida DFS).
- Pay by check or credit card on a schedule; withhold final payment until you are satisfied (FTC; TDI).
- Keep proof you paid your deductible—Texas and Florida both warn insurers may demand that proof, and waiving it can be illegal (TDI; Florida DFS).
Texas's claim-tips PDF also reminds consumers not to sign contracts with blanks or pay in full up front, and explains insurer response timelines that apply in Texas (TDI claims tips). Deadlines elsewhere: home insurance claim and lawsuit deadlines by state.
Related winter claim pages
- Ice, snow load and roof issues: ice dams and roof snow load claims
- Freeze and burst pipes: frozen pipes and freeze damage claims
- Heating-equipment fires while you run space heaters after a storm outage: portable heaters, fireplaces and chimney fire claims
If something already went wrong
Try to resolve issues with the contractor in writing (FTC suggests certified mail with return receipt). Then consider your state attorney general or consumer-protection office, and report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (FTC). For insurance settlement disputes, contact your state insurance department via our state insurance rules hub. Some homeowners hire a licensed public adjuster; licensing rules differ—see public adjuster rules by state. FEMA disaster help, when a federal declaration applies, starts at DisasterAssistance.gov or 1-800-621-FEMA; nobody legitimate charges a fee to apply (FTC).
Frequently asked questions
Can I tarp the roof before the adjuster arrives?
Yes—temporary protection to stop further damage is what Texas and Indiana tell consumers to do, with photos first and receipts saved. Hold off on permanent replacement until you have talked to the insurer (TDI FAQ; Indiana DOI).
Is it legal for a contractor to waive my deductible?
In Texas, offering to waive a homeowners deductible or rebate it is illegal; TDI says hire someone else and you can report it to the Texas Attorney General (TDI). In Florida, knowingly waiving or rebating a property-insurance deductible in that context is described as insurance fraud (Florida DFS). Elsewhere, treat deductible waivers as a hard stop and check your own state law.
Should I sign my insurance check over to the contractor?
The FTC says never sign your insurance check over to a contractor; verify coverage yourself and consider a bank Certificate of Completion so payments release by stage after you approve the work (FTC). Texas warns against contracts that simply assign "the value of insurance proceeds" to the contractor (TDI).
How many bids do I need?
Texas recommends at least three written bids so you can spot prices that are far too high or too good to be true; your adjuster can also give a sense of reasonable repair cost (TDI). The FTC likewise says get estimates from more than one contractor (FTC).
What if someone offers to "get my FEMA money" for a fee?
That is a scam. FEMA does not charge application fees (FTC). Apply only through official channels and report the solicitor at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.