RuinShield frequently asked questions
What is RuinShield?
RuinShield is a roofing contractor verification service with 12-state public roster coverage today. After a hail, wind, or hurricane event, homeowners use RuinShield to check whether a roofer appears in covered state sources, is locally established, and is not a transient storm chaser — before signing a contract or handing over a deposit.
How do I verify a roofer after a storm?
Enter the roofer's name, company, phone, or address on RuinShield. You'll get a public license match preview against your state contractor licensing board and a Storm-Chaser Risk Score built from red-flag signals. Buy a full verification report when the record affects your decision to sign.
What is a storm chaser in roofing?
A storm chaser is an out-of-area roofing crew that travels to storm-affected communities after a hail or wind event, solicits homeowners door-to-door, and often pressures them to sign an insurance assignment contract (ACV check). Storm chasers frequently lack a local license, have no local address, and disappear or do substandard work after collecting payment.
What are the red flags of a storm-chaser roofer?
Key red flags include: the company is registered out of state with no local address; the contractor shows up door-to-door immediately after a storm; they pressure you to sign an Assignment of Benefits or hand over your ACV check before work starts; they cannot provide a local license number; there is no permit history for your area; and they ask for full payment upfront.
Is RuinShield free to use?
Public license match previews and Storm-Chaser Risk Score signals are free. Full verification reports are designed to package state-board status, questionnaire results, NOAA storm context, and rolling board-disciplinary and recent-local-permit evidence as those sources are connected (insurance is a certificate you request from the contractor). Verified Contractor Profiles for local roofers are a paid monthly subscription.
What is the Storm-Chaser Risk Score?
The Storm-Chaser Risk Score is a heuristic risk rating built from red-flag signals: out-of-state company registration, no local address on file, no permit history in the affected area, door-knock solicitation patterns, pressure tactics, and requests for full upfront payment. A higher score means more red flags were detected and deeper verification is recommended.
How do I report a storm-chaser roofer?
Use RuinShield to confirm the contractor's license status and generate a timestamped verification record first. Then file a complaint with your state contractor licensing board — which can open a disciplinary or enforcement action — and with your state consumer-protection office. Having documented evidence of license status and the specific red flags strengthens your complaint.