Adjusting Services
Weather Damage Adjusting
Thousands of homes and businesses are damaged on a yearly basis due to wind and weather damage such as hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms, hailstorms, etc. If those damages are not taken care of immediately, they can only make matters worse down the road.
Inclement weather is unpredictable and oftentimes damaging to both the structure and personal property. We assist in documenting all damages and working to adjust the claim properly.
Weather and Storm Damage Insurance Claims
Northern Illinois takes hard weather every year: straight line winds, hail, tornadoes, ice storms, and heavy snow loads. Thousands of homes and businesses across Chicago and the suburbs are damaged each season. Storm damage that is not handled quickly gets worse. A lifted shingle becomes a leak, a leak becomes a ceiling collapse, and the carrier then argues the later damage was neglect. Michaelson & Messinger inspects, documents, and files storm claims fast, and we fight the two arguments carriers use most.
The Two Arguments Carriers Use
First, wear and tear. The company adjuster looks at a twenty year old roof and calls the hail damage age. We photograph the impact marks, the exposed mat, and the fresh granule loss that prove it was the storm. Second, partial repair. The carrier approves a few squares of shingles or a wall of siding that cannot be matched to the rest of the house. Many Illinois policies include matching coverage, and we know how to present that claim so the whole roof or the whole elevation is replaced.
Storm Damage We Handle
- Wind damaged and hail damaged roofs, including flat commercial roofs
- Siding, gutters, soffit, fascia, and window damage
- Trees on houses, garages, fences, and vehicles
- Tornado and microburst structural damage
- Ice damming and snow load damage to roofs and porches
- Lightning strikes and the electrical and electronics damage that follows
- Interior water damage from storm created openings
What We Do
We inspect the roof and exterior ourselves and document every mark. We check the policy for matching coverage, code upgrade coverage, and the wind and hail deductible, which on newer policies is often a percentage of the dwelling limit rather than a flat number. We prepare the estimate, meet the carrier adjuster on the roof, and negotiate. If the carrier sends an engineer, we are there.
Emergency Tarping and Repair
We tarp roofs and board-up openings the same day so the interior stays dry and the claim stays clean. Once the claim is settled, our own crews do the roofing, siding, and interior repairs under a written warranty.
Call After the Storm, Before the Door Knockers
After a big storm, out of town roofing crews go door to door with quick contracts. Call 630.654.2600 first. We are local, licensed, and we work for you. The inspection is free.
Frequently Asked Questions: Weather Damage Adjusting
How do I know if my roof has hail damage?
Look for granule loss in the gutters, dents in metal vents and gutters, and dark spots on shingles where the mat is exposed. Most hail damage is not visible from the ground. We inspect the roof for free.
What is a wind and hail deductible?
Many newer Illinois policies set a separate deductible for wind and hail, often one or two percent of the dwelling limit. On a four hundred thousand dollar house that is four to eight thousand dollars. We check it before the claim is filed.
The carrier only approved a few shingles. Can they do that?
They can offer it, but if the shingles cannot be matched, many policies include matching coverage that requires the full slope or the full roof to be replaced. We document the mismatch and present that claim.
Does insurance cover a tree that fell on my house?
Yes, the damage to the house, the garage, and the fence, plus removal of the tree from the structure. Removal of a tree that fell in the yard without hitting anything is usually limited or excluded.
What if my neighbor’s tree fell on my property?
Your own policy pays your damage. The neighbor is only responsible if the tree was known to be dead or dangerous. We file with your carrier so you are not waiting on a neighbor’s insurer.
How long do I have to file a storm claim in Illinois?
Most policies require prompt notice and set a deadline of one to two years for suit. Damage found months later is harder to prove. Call us within days of the storm.
Does the carrier’s engineer have the final say on my roof?
No. The carrier may hire an engineer who often finds age and wear. We attend that inspection, document the storm evidence, and bring our own findings. Engineer reports are challenged and overturned regularly.
