La Grange Insurance Specialists
Serving Chicago, the suburbs, and northern Illinois from Wisconsin to Monee and west to Rockford, plus Lake County, Indiana.
Adjusting, Restoration, Remodeling in La Grange, IL
Public Adjusters and Restoration in La Grange, IL
La Grange is four miles east of our Hinsdale office, and its housing stock is among the oldest in the western suburbs. The La Grange Historic District along Cossitt, Elm, and Sixth Avenues holds Queen Anne, Prairie, and Craftsman homes from the 1880s through the 1920s. North of the BNSF tracks and out toward Brainard Avenue, brick Georgians and Cape Cods from the 1940s and 1950s fill the blocks. These homes have plaster walls, original hardwood, built in cabinetry, and often knob and tube wiring or galvanized plumbing that has not been replaced. When they burn or flood, the repair costs run well above what a standard insurance estimate allows.
Michaelson & Messinger Insurance Specialists are licensed Illinois public adjusters. We work for the property owner, not the insurance company. We document the loss, prepare the estimate, negotiate the settlement, and then our own restoration crews rebuild the home. We have served La Grange and the surrounding villages since 2006.
Fire Damage in Older La Grange Homes
The La Grange Fire Department is a short response from anywhere in the village, but fire in a balloon framed house moves inside the walls before it shows on the outside. We open walls and ceilings to document hidden charring, check the attic for heat damage to rafters, and test for smoke in every room, including finished basements and closets. Plaster that looks intact often has to come down because smoke odor is trapped in the lath. Original oak trim, pocket doors, and stair parts are removed, cleaned, and stored so they can be reinstalled.
Water and Storm Losses
La Grange has had repeated basement flooding after heavy storms, especially in the lower blocks near Salt Creek and in homes with older combined sewer connections. Sewer backup coverage is a separate endorsement on most policies, and the limit is often small. We review your policy before we talk to the carrier so we know what is available. We also handle frozen pipe bursts, roof and ice dam leaks, and wind damage from the storms that cross Cook County every year.
What Happens After You Call
We come to the property, often the same day. We secure the building if needed, photograph everything, and start the inventory. We prepare a full estimate using the same software the insurance carriers use. Then we meet the company adjuster at the house and walk the loss room by room. We negotiate the differences. You are kept informed but you are not the one on the phone.
The Rebuild
Our crews handle structure, roofing, electrical, plumbing, plaster and drywall, flooring, kitchens, baths, and paint. Permits go through the Village of La Grange Building Department, and work in the historic district may need review, which we handle. Many La Grange clients use the rebuild to update a kitchen or add a bathroom. We separate the insurance scope from any upgrades so the numbers stay clear.
Serving La Grange and the Neighboring Villages
From La Grange we also serve La Grange Park, Western Springs, Brookfield, Countryside, Indian Head Park, Hodgkins, and McCook. Our Hinsdale office is a few minutes west on 55th Street.
Call Us First
If you have had a fire, a flood, or storm damage, call 630.654.2600 before you give a statement or sign anything. The first visit is free and there is no pressure. Michaelson & Messinger holds an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and a 4.9 star Google rating.
What La Grange Homeowners Ask Us Most
The most common question is whether a public adjuster is worth the fee on a mid sized claim. Our answer is honest: on a small kitchen fire with a clear cause, often not, and we will say so at the free visit. On a whole house smoke loss, a flooded finished basement, or any claim where the first offer does not cover the contractor bids, the difference we make is usually several times the fee. The second question is timing. Illinois policies give you a limited window to document and dispute a claim, so calling in the first week matters more than most people expect.
What Our Clients Are Saying
There was a a fire at my property in December 2022. M&M promptly stepped in to make my restoration smooth and simple. Shannon was my adjuster and Dan was my contractor. My insurance company classified the damage as a total loss, so there was a significant amount of work that needed to be done. Dan and Shannon took care of absolutely everything, and promptly addressed all of my questions and concerns along the way. I hope never to experience such a tragedy again, but if I do, I will absolutely be working with M&M again.
After a nightmare handling a water insurance claim from a busted water line, I was fortunate to learn about Michaelson & Messigner Insurance Specialist from a coworker. Jeff was assigned to me as my adjuster, and he was absolutely great to work with. His knowledge of the insurance claim process is unmatched, and he helped me navigate it, making the process less overwhelming. I highly recommend working with Michaelson & Messigner if you’re dealing with an insurance claim, especially a commercial one. I am very grateful to have worked with Jeff and his company for everything they did for me.
M&M is a good company you can trust and rely on, after our fire damage they worked very hard to put us back in our home which is restored, reconstructed, and reincarnated. Thank you M&M! Bobby Williamson and Kimberly Bailey & Family, Chicago. P.S. They even come back out to your home to repair any damages, leaks, or imperfections, many months after the original project is complete. It has been four years since M&M have put our home back together after all the fire damages, and if something goes wrong you can depend on them to help repair the problem. […]
Dan and Ceasar were great to work with. They went over and above to make sure we were happy, and their work is outstanding. Corners are perfect on the moldings, everything is painted perfectly, and all the structural things are better than specs call for. I highly recommend them.
I was referred to Michaelson & Messinger Insurance Specialist by a friend. I setup an appointment, Dan came out & the rest is history. I am very pleased with their work & would highly recommend Michaelson & Messinger Insurance Specialist.
On behalf of keela& Robert Martin I would like to express warm thoughts and appreciation of this establishment. The horrifying experience my family went through the company truly helped and treated us as if we were family. The after hour calls the every step of the way shows dedication with being true to the business. Claudia was extremely helpful with showing concerns through this experience she made the Martin family feel safe and comfortable throughout the process again I highly recommend this company!
A fire can be one of the most devastating events in your life. M&M did an outstanding job repairing my home. All 3 floors were burned! Dan and Matthew took time to listen to me. They went the extra mile to make sure my home was restored and that I was satisfied. “I’m so glad I chose M&M to repair my home.”
I was very pleased with the professionalism and the skill in which they handled my claim. I would highly recommend them to anyone that needs a public adjuster to represent them.
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