The Master Scam Directory
The roofing industry is highly unregulated and specifically designed to exploit homeowners during moments of panic. Use this directory to identify the traps before you sign your rights away.
Predatory roofers do not rely on the quality of their work to make money. They rely on “Information Asymmetry”—the fact that they read contracts and manipulate Xactimate software every day, while you only replace your roof once every 20 years. Below is the complete archive of their tactics.
The Protector Protocol Archive
1. Deductible-Eating Fraud
The “Free Roof” is the biggest lie in the industry. If a contractor offers to cover your deductible, they must submit a falsified, inflated final invoice to your insurance company. This drags you into a felony insurance fraud investigation.
Expose the Deductible Trap2. Contingency Contract Dangers
The salesman asks you to sign an “authorization” just to perform a free inspection. It is actually a legally binding contingency agreement that acts as a blank check, forcing you to use them at whatever price the insurance company approves.
Read the Fine Print Traps3. The AOB (Assignment of Benefits) Trap
They offer to “handle the insurance company for you.” When you sign an AOB, you completely transfer your legal rights to the claim over to the roofer. They can endorse your checks, make repair decisions, and sue the carrier in your name.
Stop the Policy Hijacking4. Storm Chasers & Burner LLCs
They knock on your door two days after a hailstorm. They set up a “Burner LLC” with a virtual address, use cheap traveling sub-crews to slap a roof on your house, and dissolve the company six months later—taking your 10-year warranty with them.
Spot the Out-of-State Scam5. The Estimate BS Detector
They manipulate standard estimating software to pad their margins. They double-charge for steepness, artificially inflate waste percentages to 20%, and slap 20% Overhead & Profit on a simple roof swap to steal your policy limits.
Run the Estimate Analyzer