After the Storm: Should I Call My Insurance or a Contractor 1st?

The Post-Storm Dilemma – Who Do I Call First, Insurance or contractor?

The storm has passed. The winds have died down, the rain has stopped, and the thunder is a distant memory. As you step outside to survey your Chicagoland home, your heart sinks. A few shingles are missing, a gutter is bent, or perhaps there’s a visible dent in your siding. Your immediate thought is, “What do I do now?” Who should I call 1st, Insurance or Contractor?

In this moment of high stress and uncertainty, a critical question often arises: Should I call my insurance company first, or should I call a contractor like Seidel Exterior Group? This isn’t just a procedural question; it’s a strategic decision that can significantly impact the speed, efficiency, and ultimate success of your home’s storm damage repair and your insurance claim.

At Seidel Exterior Group, we’ve been navigating the aftermath of Illinois storms with homeowners since 1970. We understand the confusion and pressure you feel in these moments. As your trusted local experts in roofing, siding, gutters, and windows, we’re here to provide clarity and guidance. This article will break down the pros and cons of each approach, offering a clear roadmap for Chicagoland homeowners to effectively manage post-storm damage and ensure a smooth, successful restoration process.

Understanding the Roles: Insurance Company vs. Contractor

Before we dive into who to call first, let’s clarify the distinct roles these two entities play in your storm damage recovery:

• Your Homeowner’s Insurance Company:
  • Role: Your financial protector. They assess the covered damage (according to your policy), determine the scope of loss, and provide the funds (minus your deductible) for repairs.
  • Goal: To fulfill the terms of your policy, process your claim accurately, and limit their financial exposure.
  • Key Action: Sends an insurance adjuster to inspect the damage and prepare a loss estimate.
• Your Exterior Contractor (e.g., Seidel Exterior Group):
  • Role: Your repair and restoration expert. They assess the physical damage, provide professional repair estimates, perform the actual work, and restore your home to its pre-loss condition (or better).
  • Goal: To accurately identify all damage, provide high-quality repairs, ensure your home is protected, and often assist you in navigating the insurance claim process.
  • Key Action: Conducts a thorough inspection, provides a detailed estimate, and executes the repairs.

Both are essential, but the order in which you engage them can make a difference.

The “Call Insurance First” Argument

Many homeowners are instinctively told to call their insurance company first. Here’s why that advice is often given, and its potential benefits:

• Direct Guidance from Your Policy Provider: Your insurance company can immediately advise you on your policy’s specifics regarding storm damage, your deductible, and the exact claims process they prefer.
• Official Claim Initiation: Calling them first officially opens your claim, establishing a formal record of the incident.
• Adjuster Assessment: They will send an adjuster who is trained to identify storm damage and estimate repair costs based on their company’s guidelines. This creates an initial baseline for the claim.
• Avoiding Out-of-Pocket Expenses (Potentially): If the damage is extensive and clearly covered, calling insurance first means you might not have to pay for an initial contractor inspection out of pocket, though many reputable contractors (like Seidel Exterior Group) offer free inspections.
• Peace of Mind (for some): For some homeowners, getting the insurance process started provides a sense of having taken the correct initial step.

Potential Downsides of Calling Insurance First:

• Limited Scope: An adjuster’s primary role is to assess visible damage and cost it based on standard rates. They might miss less obvious or underlying issues that only a specialized contractor would spot.
• Lower Initial Estimate: Insurance adjusters sometimes provide a lower initial estimate, which can be challenging to work with if a contractor’s professional estimate is higher.
• Lack of Advocacy: The adjuster works for the insurance company. While they aim for fairness, they aren’t necessarily advocating for your best interests in maximizing your claim for complete restoration.
• Multiple Adjustments: If the initial estimate is too low, it can lead to frustrating back-and-forth negotiations with your insurance company, requiring supplemental claims and delaying repairs.
• Claim History: Simply opening a claim, even if it’s denied or the damage doesn’t meet your deductible, can sometimes be noted on your insurance history.

The “Call Contractor First” Argument (The Seidel Exterior Group Recommendation)

At Seidel Exterior Group, based on our decades of experience serving Chicagoland, we generally recommend calling a reputable exterior contractor first for several compelling reasons, especially after significant storm events like hail or high winds.

• Comprehensive, Expert Assessment:
  • Detailed Damage Identification: Unlike an insurance adjuster who might focus on obvious damage, a skilled exterior contractor (like Seidel Exterior Group) specializes in identifying all storm-related damage, including subtle issues that could lead to future problems. This includes granular loss on shingles, hail dents on vents, hidden moisture behind siding, or subtle structural shifts that an adjuster might overlook.
  • Underlying Issues: We can assess damage to underlayment, sheathing, insulation, and ventilation, which are critical but often hidden components of your home’s exterior system.
• Professional Documentation: We provide thorough, professional documentation (photos, diagrams, detailed notes) of all damage, which is invaluable evidence for your insurance claim. This goes beyond what you might capture yourself.
• Accurate Cost Estimates: We provide an accurate, detailed repair estimate based on current market rates for materials and labor in the Chicagoland area. This helps set realistic expectations for your insurance company and ensures you receive a fair settlement for the necessary work.
• Advocacy on Your Behalf: A reputable contractor acts as your advocate during the claims process. We can speak the “insurance language,” meet with your adjuster, explain the scope of work, and negotiate supplemental claims if the initial insurance estimate is insufficient.
• Streamlined Process: Having a contractor’s expert assessment and estimate before the adjuster visits can often lead to a smoother, faster claims process. The adjuster has a professional benchmark to work from.
• Emergency Services: Many contractors, including Seidel Exterior Group, offer emergency services like temporary tarping or board-up to prevent further damage, even before the insurance process fully kicks in. This critical step protects your home from escalating secondary damage (like water leaks).
• No Obligation (Often): Most reputable contractors offer free inspections and estimates. There’s no financial risk in getting a professional opinion first.

Potential Downsides of Calling Contractor First (Minor):

• Finding a Reputable Contractor: You need to ensure you choose a trustworthy, experienced, and insured contractor. This is why choosing a well-established local company like Seidel Exterior Group is so important.
• Two Inspections: You might have both a contractor and an adjuster inspect the property. However, this is beneficial for thoroughness.

Seidel Exterior Group’s Recommended Procedure for Chicago Homeowners:

Based on our extensive experience handling countless storm damage claims in Illinois, we recommend the following sequence for most homeowners:

1. Prioritize Safety (Immediately After the Storm):
   • Ensure everyone is safe and accounted for.
   • From a safe distance, survey your property for obvious and immediate hazards like downed power lines, gas leaks, or unstable debris.
   • If you see downed power lines or smell gas, call 911 and your utility company immediately. Do NOT approach.
2. Document All Visible Damage (From a Safe Distance):
   • Take extensive photos and videos of all visible storm damage to your roof, siding, gutters, and windows.
   • Document both wide shots and close-ups.
   • Note the date and time of the storm and your documentation.
3. Call Seidel Exterior Group for a FREE Storm Damage Inspection:
   • As soon as it is safe, contact us. We will dispatch a qualified storm damage expert to your home.
   • Our team will conduct a thorough, comprehensive inspection of your entire exterior, identifying all storm-related damage – even the subtle issues that might be missed by an untrained eye.
   • We will provide you with a detailed assessment and an accurate estimate for all necessary repairs.
   • If necessary, we can perform immediate emergency tarping to prevent further water intrusion, a crucial step that can often be covered by your insurance.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company (With Our Findings in Hand):
   • Once you have our professional assessment and estimate, call your insurance provider to open a claim.
   • Inform them that you’ve already had a professional inspection by a reputable local contractor (Seidel Exterior Group) and that you have documentation and an estimate ready.
   • Request that your insurance adjuster meet with our representative on-site. This allows us to walk the adjuster through the damage we’ve identified, discuss the scope of work, and advocate for your best interests.
5. Review and Approve Repairs:
   • Once the insurance claim is approved and the scope of work is agreed upon, Seidel Exterior Group will proceed with the repairs, using high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship.
   • We manage the project from start to finish, keeping you informed every step of the way.

Why This Approach Works Best for Chicagoland Homeowners

• Maximized Claim Potential: Our detailed assessment ensures all damage is identified and included in the claim, preventing future out-of-pocket expenses.
• Faster Resolution: Having professional documentation and an estimate upfront often streamlines the insurance process, leading to quicker approvals.
• Reduced Stress: You have a knowledgeable advocate (Seidel Exterior Group) guiding you through the often-complex insurance process.
• Superior Repairs: You benefit from our expertise in quality materials and installation techniques, ensuring your home is restored to its optimal condition, often with enhanced durability.
• Local Trust: As a long-standing Illinois-based company, we have a deep understanding of local building codes, weather patterns, and insurance practices. Our reputation in Chicagoland speaks for itself.

Make the Smart Call for Your Chicagoland Home

When a storm hits your Chicagoland home, the immediate aftermath can be overwhelming. While the instinct might be to call your insurance company first, engaging a reputable exterior contractor like Seidel Exterior Group before your adjuster visit can significantly benefit your entire restoration process.

Our expert assessment, detailed documentation, and advocacy can ensure that your home receives the complete and proper repairs it needs, and that your insurance claim is handled efficiently and fairly. Don’t let the post-storm confusion add to your stress.

If your Chicagoland home has sustained storm damage, don’t hesitate. Call Seidel Exterior Group for a free, comprehensive inspection. We’re here to be your trusted partner, guiding you through every step of the repair and insurance claims process, and helping you restore your home with confidence.