In the confusion following the recent Brisbane hail event, knowing the difference between a “Storm Chaser” and a licensed “Corporate Authorised Representative” is the key to protecting your home.
If you live in Brisbane, the sound of large hail hitting your roof last week was likely followed by another overwhelming noise: the sound of warnings. Turn on the TV, read the paper, or scroll through your social media feed, and the message from insurance companies, the RACQ, and the Police is unanimous and urgent: “Beware of Storm Chasers.”
Their advice is to lock your gate, trust nobody, and speak only to your insurer.
Here is the reality: The Police are absolutely right to warn you. There are predators out there. They are unlicensed, unregulated opportunists who travel from town to town, knocking on doors, demanding cash upfront, and leaving a trail of shoddy workmanship and voided warranties in their wake. In the industry, we call them “Cowboys,” and we despise them just as much as you do.
However, amidst this necessary warning against scams, a dangerous confusion has been created. By lumping all third-party assistance into the “Storm Chaser” bucket, insurance companies are effectively cutting you off from the professional representation you have a legal right to utilize.
It is time to draw a clear, legal line in the sand between an opportunist with a ladder and a Licensed Client Claim Advocate.
The “Silver Bullet” of Legitimacy: The AFSL
In the financial world, you wouldn’t trust your tax return to a stranger who knocked on your door and asked for cash. You would hire a qualified accountant. You wouldn’t trust your legal defense to a friend of a friend; you would hire a lawyer.
Why should the insurance claim for your most valuable asset—your home—be any different?
This is where the distinction becomes undeniable. A “Storm Chaser” operates in the shadows of the black economy. Storm Smart operates under the strict regulations of Australian Financial Services Law.
Our Regulatory Status
Insurance Claims Group Pty Ltd, trading as Storm Smart, is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 001295032) of Life Matters Claims Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 532487).
This isn’t just a number on a piece of paper. It is a badge of distinction that carries immense weight. It means we are held to rigorous ethical standards, financial compliance, and regulatory oversight. It means we are authorized to provide advice and represent you in dealing with your insurer.
A “Storm Chaser” cannot show you this credential. They cannot legally represent you. They can only offer to “fix it cheap.” We don’t just fix homes; we manage the complex financial and legal process of your claim to ensure you are treated fairly.
The Myth of “Inflated Costs” vs. The Reality of Correct Scope
One of the most common warnings from the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) is that third-party advocates “inflate costs.” This is a carefully chosen phrase designed to make you fear that you might be participating in something dishonest.
We need to reframe this immediately. Correcting a mistake is not inflation.
When an insurer sends an assessor during a catastrophe event, they are often overworked, under-resourced, and instructed to control costs. They might look at a hail-damaged roof and scope the work as “Replace 20 tiles and re-point.”
When a Storm Smart Advocate assesses that same roof, we use forensic technology and engineering principles. If we find that the impact fractures have compromised the structural integrity of the entire roof system, we will submit a claim for a full roof replacement.
To the insurer, the difference between “20 tiles” and “a new roof” looks like “inflated costs.”
To you, the homeowner, it is the difference between a safe home and a future leak that won’t be covered.
We don’t create damage that isn’t there. We ensure that the damage that is there is fully recognized, scoped, and paid for according to your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
Storm Chaser vs. Licensed Advocate
How can you tell, instantly, if you are dealing with a licensed professional with experience and processes or a Storm Chaser that adopts predatory tactics? It comes down to the process.
The “Storm Chaser” Approach:
- ❌ Unsolicited Pressure: “I have leftover materials from your neighbor, sign now.”
- ❌ Cash Focus: Demands deposits or cash payments before work starts.
- ❌ Speed over Quality: Wants to patch the damage quickly and move to the next town.
- ❌ No Paperwork: Avoids formal contracts or insurance negotiation.
- ❌ One page terms: Has simple terms and conditions, typically on one or two pages.
The Storm Smart Approach:
- ✅ Storm Smart Check First: We use our proprietary Storm Smart App to capture data and evidence.
- ✅ Authority to Act: We don’t ask for repair money upfront. We ask for your written authority to speak to your insurer on your behalf.
- ✅ Policy Expertise: We review your specific insurance policy to understand your full entitlements regarding accommodation, matching materials, and code compliance.
- ✅ Community Roots: As a Queensland Community Initiative, our “Rooftop Assist” program is built on long-term local relationships, not fly-by-night opportunities.
- ✅ Financial Service Guide: We promote how our service works and how our efforts in affected communities are funded in our publicly available financial service guide.
Don’t just take our word for it. See what our customers have said about Storm Smart over the past 5 years.
“We were originally told by a roofer that we had no roof damage after a hailstorm, so we didn’t think much of it. But after seeing Storm Smart working in the area nearly 1.5 years later, we decided to get a second opinion — and thank goodness we did!
Storm Smart called back the next day, came out to inspect within the week, and submitted the claim on our behalf right there on the spot. They clearly explained every step, were completely transparent, and stayed super responsive through their app while helping us get all the documents and insurer requirements sorted.
Special shoutout to Jordan, who first got us started on this journey — friendly, proactive, and made everything feel easy from the get-go. Brock and Swetha were incredible in making sure the insurer had covered everything they should, working closely with Joel the Storm Smart builder, who was super friendly on site and coordinated all the assessments perfectly. And a big thank you to Darren, who looked after us towards the end and made sure our unique requirements were included in the scope of works — leaving us even better off than before the storm!
Without Storm Smart and Insurance Claims Group, we never would have known to challenge the first assessor’s findings — or realised that the initial assessor didn’t even hold a builder’s licence. Thanks to their expertise and transparency, we ended up with a thorough claim process, a fair payout, and the flexibility to reallocate costs where we wanted to upgrade.
Couldn’t recommend the ICG and Storm Smart team highly enough — professional, fast, and genuinely on your side every step of the way.”
Cherie Taylor - Brisbane, QLD
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Don’t Be Bullied Into Silence
The insurance industry is massive, powerful, and currently very vocal. They have a vested interest in making you afraid of third-party help. If you are afraid of “scammers,” you will default to trusting the insurer blindly. And if you trust the insurer blindly, you are far more likely to accept a settlement that is thousands of dollars less than you are actually owed.
You have the right to be represented. You have the right to a second opinion. And you have the right to ensure your home is restored to its pre-storm condition, not just “patched up.”
The Homeowner’s Storm Smart Checklist
If someone offers to help with your storm damage, ask them these three questions. If they can’t answer “Yes” to all three, shut the door.
- Do you hold an Australian Financial Service License? (Ask for their number, then verify on ASIC).
- Do you have a permanent, local business address?
- Will you manage the claim negotiation with my insurer directly?
Storm Smart answers YES to all three.
