Hail and wind damage: insurance claims and hiring a roofer in Illinois

How the claim works

• Get the adjuster’s name and number, and ask for a copy of their written damage estimate. Ask questions if you don’t understand it (IDOI).
• Get prior agreement from your adjuster before you sign a contract for repairs (IDOI).
• Get written bids from licensed contractors with materials and prices listed line by line. IDOI says this can make the claim faster and easier (IDOI).
• Ask about additional living expenses if you can’t live at home. Keep receipts for anything you buy with an advance check, because those amounts are deducted when the claim is settled (IDOI).
• Expect the house check to name your lender if you have a mortgage. IDOI says the payment for the house may be made out to you and your mortgage holder (IDOI).
• Know what’s usually excluded. IDOI says basic homeowners policies don’t cover flood, earthquake or mine subsidence damage (IDOI). If water came in from the ground, see our basement flooding guide.

Do you need a public adjuster?

Your insurance company will likely send its own adjuster at no extra cost to you. Public adjusters don’t work for your insurer and may charge fees (Illinois Attorney General). IDOI says public adjusters usually receive a percentage of the settlement, usually 10% of your claim, and must be licensed by the Department of Insurance (IDOI).

Be wary of anyone offering a door-to-door “free” inspection to file a claim for you. To check that a public adjuster is licensed, call the Department of Insurance at (866) 445-5364 (Illinois Attorney General).

Illinois rules that protect you from storm chasers

• Roofers must be state licensed. IDFPR says the license number should start with 104- and appear on the contract with the company name. Check it with IDFPR’s license lookup or call IDFPR at 1-800-560-6420 (IDFPR).
• No deductible deals. A contractor can’t advertise or promise to pay or rebate any part of your insurance deductible to win the job (IDFPR).
• The roofer can’t run your claim. After a catastrophe like a hailstorm or windstorm, the contractor can’t represent you on the insurance claim or file a claim on your behalf (IDFPR).
• You can cancel if the claim is denied. For disaster repairs, you can cancel the contract within five days of your insurer denying coverage (Illinois Attorney General). IDFPR’s roofer brochure describes this as five business days after the insurer tells you all or part of the claim isn’t covered (IDFPR).
• Other cancellation rights. You generally have three business days to cancel a contract, or 15 business days if you’re over 65 and signed because the contractor came to your home (Illinois Attorney General).
• Get it in writing. Work over $1,000 needs a written contract signed by you and the contractor, plus the “Home Repair: Know Your Rights” pamphlet (Illinois Attorney General, pamphlet).

Before you pay anyone

• Get written estimates from more than one contractor, even if you need to move fast, and don’t be rushed (Illinois Attorney General).
• Never pay in full until the work is done. Don’t pay in cash or with Venmo or Zelle (Illinois Attorney General). IDFPR suggests a check or money order made out to the company, not a person (IDFPR).
• Ask for proof of insurance, including workers’ compensation, and get lien waivers from the roofing supplier and any subcontractors (IDFPR).
• Never sign a contract with blank spaces, and make sure it lists a real street address and a date the work will be done (IDFPR).
• Read the warranty. IDFPR says to avoid warranties voided by common things like winds over 45 mph (IDFPR).
• Check local permit rules. General contractors don’t need a state license in Illinois, but towns may require permits (Illinois Attorney General).

Having trouble with your insurance company? You can file a complaint with IDOI. For a full roof checkup, see our roofing guide.