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The Storm Damage Claim Checklist: 12 Steps to Protect Your Home and Your Payout
Most Illinois homeowners have never filed a storm damage claim - and the insurance company is counting on that. This free checklist walks you through every step, from the first hail impact to the final depreciation check, so you don't miss a dollar your policy owes you. Print it. Keep it in your kitchen drawer. When the next storm hits (and in Northern Illinois, it will), you'll know exactly what to do.
Document the storm immediately - save weather alerts, note the date and time, take photos and video of conditions during or right after the event
Check your property from the ground - look for dents on gutters, siding, AC units, and mailboxes; check for granules in gutters and at downspout bases
Do NOT climb on the roof yourself - get a licensed professional to inspect safely and document properly
Call a licensed roofing contractor for a free storm damage inspection before calling your insurance company (professional documentation strengthens your claim)
Know your deductible BEFORE you file - check your policy for your wind/hail deductible amount and type (flat dollar vs. percentage)
File the claim promptly - most Illinois policies require claims within a specific period after the storm; earlier is always better
Be present (or have your contractor present) when the insurance adjuster inspects - don't let the carrier's adjuster inspect alone; their estimate is the starting point for negotiation, not the final word
Review the insurance estimate line by line - compare it to your contractor's estimate; note anything missing, undervalued, or excluded
Ask about supplements - if your contractor identifies work items the adjuster missed (code upgrades, manufacturer requirements, project conditions), a supplement can recover the difference (average: $7,000-$8,000 per claim)
Understand ACV vs. RCV - the first check (ACV) withholds depreciation; the second payment (recoverable depreciation) comes AFTER the work is completed; both are your money
Complete repairs and request depreciation recovery before your policy deadline - most carriers set a 12-to-24-month window from the date of loss; miss it and you forfeit the withheld depreciation permanently
Keep every document - save the adjuster's report, all correspondence, supplement filings, completion photos, and warranty paperwork; if anything is disputed later, documentation is your only defense
Steps 3 and 4 are one phone call.
We inspect safely, document professionally, and file the claim for you - free.