Common Hail Damage Scams in Texas (and How to Avoid Them)

# Common Hail Damage Scams in Texas After every major Texas hailstorm, out-of-state storm chasers descend on Plano, Frisco, Allen, and McKinney with promises that sound too good to be true. They are. Here are the five most common scams and how to avoid them. ## Scam #1: "We'll waive your deductible" A shop that promises to "make your deductible disappear" without actually collecting it is committing **insurance fraud** under Texas law. They bill your insurance for the full amount including the deductible amount, pocket your portion, and you're left holding the bag if the carrier audits. **Protection:** Demand a written breakdown of how any deductible help works. Legitimate deductible assistance bundles real services (free pickup, detail, rebates) at transparent value. ## Scam #2: Door-to-door storm chasers A truck pulls into your driveway after a hailstorm. The driver offers a "free inspection" and a quick repair "right here in your driveway." Major red flags: - No permanent shop address - No Texas business registration - No insurance certifications - Pressure to sign **right now** **Protection:** Never sign anything in your driveway. Drive to the shop's permanent location and verify it exists. ## Scam #3: Assignment of Benefits (AOB) fraud The shop asks you to sign a one-page document called an Assignment of Benefits. This transfers your insurance claim rights to the shop. They then: - Inflate the claim (or do shoddy work) - Sue your insurance company in your name - Leave you legally responsible for any disputes **Protection:** Never sign an AOB. Reputable Texas shops don't ask for one. ## Scam #4: "Insurance approved" lies Storm chasers claim to be "approved" or "certified" by your insurance company when they're not. They use the carrier's logo on their website without permission. **Protection:** Call your insurance carrier directly and ask if a specific shop is on their direct repair program (DRP). The carrier will tell you the truth. ## Scam #5: Cheap repaint instead of PDR Some shops will quote PDR pricing then sand and repaint your hail-damaged panels because it's faster (and cheaper for them). This: - Destroys your factory paint - Reduces your resale value by 15–30% - Often shows up on CarFax as "panel work" - Is invisible to you until you trade in or sell **Protection:** Get the repair method in writing. Demand "paintless dent repair only" be specified on your work order. ## The Texas Department of Insurance is on your side Report any suspected fraud to: - **Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Protection:** 1-800-252-3439 - **TDI Fraud Unit:** [tdi.texas.gov/fraud](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/fraud/) ## How to find a legitimate Texas shop - Permanent address you can visit - 5+ years of Texas Secretary of State registration - A+ BBB rating (verifiable at bbb.org) - 30+ recent Google reviews with photos - Direct repair certifications you can verify with your carrier - Lifetime warranty in writing - No AOB requirement VIP Hail Service has been serving North Texas since 2014 with all of the above. Call **(469) 313-6954** or [book online](https://viphailservice.com/book).