The Storm Has Passed, Now What? Navigating Your Insurance Claim
A severe storm sweeping through Chicagoland can be a terrifying experience. But once the winds die down and the rain subsides, a new wave of anxiety often sets in: the discovery of damage to your home. Whether it’s a few missing shingles, hail dents on your gutters, or siding ripped away, the question quickly becomes, “Will my insurance cover this, and how do I even start the process?”
Filing a storm damage claim in Illinois can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with the stress of a damaged home. It involves multiple steps, specific documentation, and interactions with various parties. Without a clear roadmap, it’s easy to feel lost, potentially delaying crucial repairs or even compromising your rightful claim.
At Seidel Exterior Group, we’ve been expertly guiding Chicagoland homeowners through storm damage assessment, repair, and insurance claims since 1970. We understand the complexities of the process and are committed to empowering our clients with the knowledge and support they need. This complete step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire storm damage claim process in Illinois, from your initial actions to receiving final payment, ensuring you are prepared, informed, and confident every step of the way.
Understanding Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy and Claims in Illinois
Before diving into the steps, it’s crucial to have a basic understanding of your homeowner’s insurance policy.
- Deductible: This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and you have $10,000 in covered damage, your insurer will pay $9,000. In Illinois, many policies now include a separate Wind/Hail Deductible, which is often a percentage (e.g., 1% or 2%) of your home’s insured value (Coverage A). This means for a $300,000 home, a 1% deductible would be $3,000, significantly higher than a standard flat deductible. Always know your specific deductible for wind and hail.
- Replacement Cost Value (RCV) vs. Actual Cash Value (ACV):
- Replacement Cost Value (RCV): This coverage pays to repair or replace your damaged property with new materials of similar kind and quality, without deduction for depreciation. This is generally preferred as it allows for full restoration.
- Actual Cash Value (ACV): This coverage pays the replacement cost minus depreciation (for age, wear, and tear). You will receive less money, and you’ll likely have to pay more out of pocket to fully restore your property.
- Claim Payouts: For RCV policies, insurers often pay an initial ACV amount and then release the depreciated amount (recoverable depreciation) after repairs are completed and invoices are submitted.
- Coverage for Different Perils: Most standard Illinois homeowners policies cover sudden and accidental damage from perils like fire, windstorms, and hail. They typically do not cover flood damage (which requires a separate flood insurance policy) or damage from wear and tear, age, rot, or lack of maintenance.
Knowing these terms upfront will help you understand your claim settlement.
Filing a Storm Damage Claim in Illinois: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Prioritize Safety & Mitigate Further Damage (Immediately After the Storm)
Your family’s safety comes first. Only proceed with inspection once the storm has fully passed and conditions are safe.
- Ensure Safety: Look for downed power lines (assume they are live, stay 30+ feet away, call ComEd/utility immediately), gas leaks (smell rotten eggs, evacuate, call Nicor Gas/utility immediately), or structural instability. If in doubt, evacuate and call 911.
- Document Initial Damage (Safely): From a safe distance (the ground, neighbor’s yard), use your smartphone to take extensive photos and videos of all visible and suspected damage. Capture wide shots and close-ups. Note the date and time. This documentation is your independent record. Do not discard damaged materials yet.
- Make Temporary/Emergency Repairs: To prevent further damage (e.g., water intrusion), make necessary emergency repairs. This might include tarping a damaged roof section or boarding up a broken window. Keep all receipts for these temporary repairs, as they are often reimbursable by your insurance. Do not begin permanent repairs until your claim is approved and you have a contractor’s estimate.
- Seidel’s Insight: We offer emergency tarping services to protect your home immediately after a storm.
Step 2: Contact Seidel Exterior Group for a Professional Damage Assessment
This step is highly recommended before your insurance adjuster’s visit.
- Why Call a Contractor First? While you can call your insurer immediately, having a reputable contractor like Seidel Exterior Group assess the damage first offers significant advantages:
- Comprehensive Identification: Our experts are trained to spot all storm damage, including subtle or hidden issues (like hail bruising on shingles or hidden flashing damage) that an adjuster might miss.
- Accurate Cost Estimate: We provide a detailed, accurate estimate for all necessary repairs based on current local material and labor costs in Chicagoland. This gives you a solid benchmark for your claim.
- Expert Documentation: We’ll provide you with professional photos, diagrams, and written assessments of the damage.
- Advocacy: Our team can meet directly with your insurance adjuster on-site, pointing out all damages, explaining their severity, and advocating for a comprehensive, fair settlement.
- Action: Call Seidel Exterior Group for a free, no-obligation storm damage inspection. Schedule this as soon as possible after the storm.
Step 3: Notify Your Insurance Company & File the Claim
- Action: Contact your insurance agent or the claims department as soon as you’ve conducted your initial documentation and ideally after your contractor’s assessment. Have your policy number ready.
- Information to Provide: Briefly explain what happened (e.g., “We had a hailstorm on [Date], and our roof/siding sustained damage.”). Provide your initial observations and mention that you have photos/videos and a professional contractor’s assessment.
- Key Questions to Ask:
- What is my claim number? (Get this immediately!)
- Who will be my assigned adjuster, and what is their contact information?
- What is my deductible amount for this type of storm damage (especially for wind/hail)?
- Is my policy RCV or ACV?
- How long do I have to file a claim? (Most policies have specific deadlines).
- What is the next step? Do I need multiple estimates?
- Keep Records: Start a detailed log of all communications (dates, times, names, what was discussed). Follow up phone calls with a brief email to create a paper trail.
Step 4: The Insurance Adjuster’s Visit
- Action: Schedule the adjuster’s visit when you, and ideally your Seidel Exterior Group representative, can be present.
- Your Role: Walk the adjuster through all areas of damage you’ve observed and that your contractor has identified. Provide them with your documentation (photos, contractor’s report). Point out even subtle damage like hail dents on vents or minor granule loss.
- Contractor’s Role: Your Seidel Exterior Group representative will meet with the adjuster, meticulously review the damage from an expert perspective, explain the functional impact of various types of damage, and discuss our detailed estimate to ensure nothing is overlooked in the adjuster’s assessment.
- Be Polite & Factual: Maintain a professional demeanor. Stick to the facts. The adjuster’s goal is to assess damage; your goal is to ensure a complete and accurate assessment.
Step 5: Review the Adjuster’s Estimate & Negotiate (If Necessary)
- Action: The adjuster will provide a preliminary estimate. Do NOT feel pressured to accept it immediately.Compare it carefully with the estimate provided by Seidel Exterior Group.
- Common Discrepancies:
- Scope of Work: The adjuster’s estimate might miss damage (e.g., hidden hail impacts, proper flashing components) or underestimate the extent of repairs needed.
- Pricing: Their pricing might not reflect current local labor and material costs in Chicagoland, or they might use cheaper, non-comparable materials.
- Depreciation: Ensure they are using Replacement Cost Value (RCV) if that’s what your policy states, and understand how recoverable depreciation will be handled.
- How Seidel Helps: If the adjuster’s estimate is lower or incomplete, we will help you identify the discrepancies. We can submit a “supplemental claim” with additional documentation and a detailed breakdown of the true costs. We often negotiate directly with your insurance company to ensure a fair and comprehensive settlement that covers all necessary repairs to restore your home to its pre-loss condition.
Step 6: Choosing Your Contractor & Signing the Contract
- Action: Once the scope of work and the settlement amount are agreed upon with your insurance company, it’s time to formalize the repair process.
- Choose Wisely: Even if an adjuster provided a list of contractors, the choice is ultimately yours. Select a local, reputable, licensed, and insured contractor like Seidel Exterior Group, who specializes in storm damage and has strong manufacturer certifications (like GAF Master Elite or James Hardie Elite Preferred).
- Review Contract: Ensure the contract clearly outlines the scope of work, materials to be used, payment schedule, timeline, and warranty information. Make sure it aligns with your insurance settlement.
- Payment: A reputable contractor will have a clear payment schedule, often requesting a reasonable deposit for materials, with the balance due upon satisfactory completion of the work.
Step 7: Repairs Begin & Project Management
- Action: Seidel Exterior Group will schedule and begin your repairs.
- What to Expect: We will prepare your property, tear off damaged materials, conduct necessary decking repairs, install new underlayment, and expertly install your new roof, siding, or other components. Our team prioritizes safety, efficiency, and meticulous daily cleanup.
- Communication: Our project manager will keep you updated on progress and address any questions or unforeseen issues promptly.
Step 8: Final Inspection & Payment
- Action: Once the repairs are complete, Seidel Exterior Group will conduct a final walk-through with you to ensure your complete satisfaction.
- Final Documentation: We’ll provide you with final invoices and completion documentation for your records and for your insurance company (especially for the release of recoverable depreciation).
- Final Payment: Your insurance company will release any remaining funds directly to you or your contractor, completing the claim.
Your Partner in Post-Storm Recovery
Filing a storm damage claim in Illinois can feel like a daunting marathon, but with the right preparation and the right partner, it doesn’t have to be. By understanding each step, documenting thoroughly, knowing your policy, and critically, partnering with a trusted local expert like Seidel Exterior Group, you can navigate the process with confidence.
Our decades of experience in Chicagoland, coupled with our commitment to integrity and quality, means we are uniquely positioned to assist you from the moment the storm passes until your home is fully restored. We advocate for your best interests, ensuring you receive a fair settlement and the superior repairs your home deserves.
Has your Chicagoland home recently suffered storm damage? Don’t tackle the complex insurance claim process alone. Contact Seidel Exterior Group today for a free, comprehensive inspection and expert guidance. Let us help you restore your home and your peace of mind.
