Independent insurance agents serve as trusted advisors during some of the most difficult moments their clients face, especially after a severe storm. When roofs are damaged by hail or wind, homeowners look to their agents not just for coverage clarification, but for guidance and support. Unfortunately, those same moments of vulnerability have increasingly been exploited by unscrupulous roofers, creating major challenges for consumers and the insurance industry.

Recognizing this problem, Ohio legislators have turned their attention to cracking down on deceptive roofing practices with the introduction of House Bill 769. For insurance agents and their clients, this legislation represents an important step toward protecting consumers, stabilizing the insurance market, and mitigating the long-term consequences of unchecked fraud and abuse. OIA Government Affairs is proud to advocate for this pro-consumer legislation. This article will break down the problem, the legislative history of this issue, and how this bill would help manage this problem for Ohio residents and agents.

A Familiar Problem for Insurance Agents

As an independent agent, you see firsthand the harsh realities storm scammers bring to Ohio communities. In the aftermath of severe weather, when homeowners are already unsure of what to do next, unscrupulous roofers too often step in to exploit the situation. These are usually fly-by-night operators with no ties to the impacted community who descend on storm-impacted neighborhoods and prey on people at their most vulnerable. They pressure homeowners into quick decisions, often promising full roof replacements regardless of the actual coverage.

For agents, these bad actors can cause real damage. Agents are left to explain actual policy language to their insureds, manage disputes, and rebuild trust. This can become even more difficult if the insured has signed a contract that complicates the claims process. These situations can leave agents scrambling to help protect their clients’ financial well-being.

Building on Prior Legislative Efforts

House Bill 769 is not Ohio’s first attempt to address these concerns. In 2024, Senate Bill 77 aimed at regulating roofing contractor practices and contract terms. Unfortunately, this legislation stalled in committee, but it helped frame the issue as one of consumer protection.

The problem is not legitimate Ohio roofing contractors, who operate ethically and collaboratively with insurers. These businesses are building blocks of the industry and help clients rebuild after major storms. Instead, the concern lies with deceptive practices that exploit insurance claims and destabilize the market. House Bill 769 incorporates lessons learned from SB77 and reintroduces the issue with refined language and a renewed focus on transparency and accountability.

What House Bill 769 Would Do

House Bill 769 proposes to amend the Ohio Revised Code to regulate roofing contractor practices and the terms of their contracts with consumers. The bill establishes clearer expectations around how roofing services tied to insurance claims are marketed and documented.

Key elements of the bill:

• Improving contract transparency, ensuring homeowners understand pricing, scope of work, and their cancellation rights.
  • This bill requires written contracts for all repairs over $750 and establishes a 3-day penalty free contract rescission period.
• Discouraging deceptive sales practices, specifically prohibiting misleading advertising and signage about insurance coverage or guaranteed claim  outcomes.
• Clarifying contractor involvement in insurance claims, such as prohibiting roofers from acting as adjustors.
• Giving consumers avenues for recourse when deceptive practices occur.

For consumers and their insurance agents, these provisions help create a claims environment grounded in facts, documentation, and realistic expectations rather than sales pressure and confusion.

Stabilizing the Insurance Market and Preserving Affordability

The benefits of House Bill 769 extend beyond individual transactions. Fraudulent and inflated roofing claims contribute to rising loss costs across the property insurance market. Those costs are reflected in higher premiums, increased wind and hail deductibles, and more restrictive coverage terms for all policyholders.

Insurance agents are often the ones who must explain these changes to their clients. By curbing abusive practices at the source, House Bill 769 supports a more predictable claims environment and helps slow the market pressures that lead to reduced affordability and coverage availability. This not only benefits insurers, but also helps agents continue offering competitive, sustainable options to their clients.

Allowing the Roofing market to Repair Itself

Importantly, House Bill 769 does not seek to overregulate the roofing industry. Instead, it aims to remove the unfair advantage gained by bad actors who rely on deception rather than quality of service. When unethical practices are curtailed, reputable contractors will be better positioned to compete.

For agents and clients alike, this market correction is preferable to broader regulatory intervention. A balanced approach allows the roofing market to repair itself while preserving consumer choice and contractor independence.

A Win for Agents and the Clients They Serve

House Bill 769 aligns closely with the interests of insurance agents and their clients. It strengthens consumer protections, reduces fraud-driven volatility, and promotes long-term market stability. By addressing unscrupulous roofing practices now, Ohio can avoid more drastic consequences later – such as shrinking coverage options and escalating costs.

For agents who advocate daily on behalf of their clients, House Bill 769 represents a common-sense solution that reinforces trust, transparency, and fairness across the insurance and roofing industries alike.

If you support legislation to crack down on storm scammers and would like to express your support of HB 769, please contact George Christy at george@ohioinsuranceagents.com. Advocacy from agents is central to OIA Government Affairs’ efforts, and your engagement plays a meaningful role in advancing this important reform.

Related Resources:

• Ohio Department of Insurance – Contractor Fraud
  Consumer guidance from the Ohio Department of Insurance outlining common red flags, tips for hiring contractors after a storm, and how to report suspected fraud.

• Insurance Journal – Ohio AG Sues Contractors for Allegedly Defrauding Consumers 
  Industry reporting on recent enforcement actions by the Ohio Attorney General against home‑improvement contractors accused of defrauding homeowners, highlighting the real‑world impact of deceptive practices.

About the Author:

George Christy joined the Ohio Insurance Agents (OIA) as the new Government Affairs Manager in January 2025. George brings experience from his previous roles at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). At ODOT, he was part of the communications team, and he worked on legislative and regulatory issues with the Legislative Affairs team. George brings experience from his work on state legislative campaigns, his time as a Legislative Aide in the Ohio House of Representatives, and his roles at a state agency. George grew up in Delaware County and is a graduate of The Ohio State University where he studied Political Science and Economics.