Storm Chaser Window Contractors: Red Flags to Watch for After a Black Hills Hailstorm
After a big hailstorm in Rapid City, the knocks on the door start fast. Some come from legitimate local companies. Others come from crews that follow storms from state to state, sign as many contracts as they can, and move on. Windows, siding and gutters get pitched right alongside roofs. Knowing the warning signs before the next storm saves a lot of trouble.
This guide covers how storm chasers typically operate, the red flags to watch for, the South Dakota rules that protect you, and what to do instead. It is general information, not legal or insurance advice.
Why storm chasers show up in the Black Hills
The area gets serious hail. The National Weather Service recorded hail of 3 to 3.25 inches in Rapid City on July 10, 2020. On July 27, 2015, hail up to 3.5 inches fell across the region, with baseball-size hail reported in Hill City. An August 18, 2025 storm brought hail around 3 inches to south Rapid City, and golf-ball hail hit the west side on June 22, 2026. Storms like that leave hundreds of damaged homes and a backlog for local companies, which is exactly the opening out-of-town crews look for.
News coverage from 2020 described City of Rapid City advisories after hail, warning that out-of-town roofers were working in town and many could not produce credentials, and noting that outside firms also offer siding, window and gutter replacement in hail years. The city urged residents to research contractors and make sure permits were pulled.
10 red flags of a storm chaser window contractor
- They knock first. An unsolicited visit right after a storm is not proof of a scam, but it is when to be most careful.
- "Sign today" pressure. A price that expires when they leave, or a claim that the crew is "only in the neighborhood this week."
- An offer to pay, waive or rebate your deductible. More on this below.
- Cash only, or a large cash discount for skipping paperwork.
- Full payment up front, or a big deposit before any windows are ordered.
- "Free windows" or "your insurance will pay for everything." Nobody but your insurer can say what a claim will pay.
- They want to handle your claim. A window seller is not your adjuster. Be wary of anyone who asks you to sign something that lets them deal with your insurer for you.
- No South Dakota contractor's excise tax license number, or reluctance to give it.
- No proof of insurance, and no local address or phone number you can check.
- No written contract, or a contract that is vague about the windows, glass, install type and price.
Is it legal for a contractor to pay my deductible in South Dakota?
For roofing, no. SDCL 37-24-50 says a contractor providing residential roofing goods or services may not advertise or promise to pay or rebate all or part of any applicable insurance deductible, and a contract that violates the rule is void. That statute is written for roofing. By its text it does not clearly reach a company that only replaces windows.
Treat any deductible offer as a red flag for any trade anyway. Your deductible is your share of the loss under your policy. If a contractor offers to absorb it, the money has to come from somewhere: a padded estimate to your insurer, cheaper materials, or shortcuts on the work. Many storm crews sell roofs, siding and windows together, and the roofing rule does apply to the roofing part of those deals. If someone offers to cover your deductible, walk away.
We do not handle, negotiate or adjust insurance claims. Neither should a window salesperson. Read your policy (actual cash value vs replacement cost, and whether there is a separate wind/hail deductible), and call your insurance agent. A local agent told KOTA after the June 2026 storm that no insurance company will dictate which contractor you use. State law requires insurers to respond to claim communications within 30 days (SDCL 58-33-67).
Your 3-day right to cancel a door-to-door sale
South Dakota's door-to-door sales law (SDCL 37-24-5.1 and following) covers sales of $25 or more where the seller personally solicits you and you agree somewhere other than the seller's place of business, including your home, even if you invited them. You can cancel until midnight of the third business day after you sign. The seller must give you a written notice of your right to cancel, and refunds are due within 10 days of cancellation. There are some exceptions, such as certain emergency repairs you request and waive in writing.
So "sign today" is not a deadline you have to meet. If you signed under pressure, cancel in writing before the deadline and keep a copy. The federal FTC Cooling-Off Rule can also apply to sales made at your home.
What the South Dakota Attorney General recommends
The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division has a hailstorm home-repair alert with practical advice:
- Ask for proof of insurance and bonding.
- Get a written contract.
- Be wary of cash-only deals.
- Do not pay in full before the work is complete.
- Verify the contractor's excise tax license with the Department of Revenue at 1-800-829-9188.
- Report problems to Consumer Protection at 1-800-300-1986.
What a storm chaser says vs what to do instead
| What you hear | What to do |
|---|---|
| "We'll take care of your deductible." | Decline. It is illegal for roofing under SDCL 37-24-50 and a red flag for any trade. |
| "Sign now so we can get you on the schedule." | Wait. Get two or three written quotes. You have three business days to cancel a home-signed sale. |
| "We work directly with your insurance." | Call your own agent. You choose your contractor, and the claim is between you and your insurer. |
| "Cash is easier." | Pay by check or card on a schedule tied to the work, never in full up front. |
| "Licenses don't matter for windows in South Dakota." | There is no state window license, but ask for the excise tax license number, proof of insurance, lead-safe certification for pre-1978 homes and a city license where required. |
What to do right after hail damages your windows
- Stay safe. Keep people and pets away from broken glass.
- Document everything. Take wide and close photos of glass, frames, screens and siding, with dates, before anything is cleaned up.
- Cover openings temporarily. Plastic sheeting or plywood over a broken window keeps weather out. Keep receipts.
- Call your agent and read your policy before signing with any contractor.
- Get local written quotes and compare them line by line.
For the full step-by-step, see what to do about hail-damaged windows, and for coverage questions, does homeowners insurance cover hail-damaged windows. Our hail damage window replacement page covers what installers look for.
When you are ready, the free quote form sends your project to independent local window companies. We are a free matching service, not a window company. We do not verify licenses or insurance, so use the checklist above with every company, including the ones you find through us. Our guide on how to compare window replacement quotes helps with the next step.
Questions people ask
How do I spot a storm chaser contractor?
Watch for door-knocking right after a storm, sign-today pressure, offers to cover your deductible, cash-only deals, demands for full payment up front, promises that insurance will pay for everything, and no South Dakota excise tax license number or proof of insurance.
Can a contractor pay my insurance deductible in South Dakota?
For residential roofing, SDCL 37-24-50 bars contractors from advertising or promising to pay or rebate any part of your deductible, and such contracts are void. The statute is written for roofing, but any contractor making that offer in any trade is a red flag.
Can I cancel a contract I signed with a door-to-door contractor?
Generally yes. South Dakota's door-to-door sales law lets you cancel a sale of $25 or more made away from the seller's place of business until midnight of the third business day. Some exceptions apply. Cancel in writing and keep a copy.
Who do I report a storm chaser to in South Dakota?
Contact the South Dakota Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986. You can also verify a contractor's excise tax license with the Department of Revenue at 1-800-829-9188 before you sign anything.