Insurance claims
Storm, wind & hail roof claims in Chicagoland
Natural disasters don't wait for your roof to be ready. Here's exactly how a roof insurance claim works, and where RWS steps in.
The process
Four steps from storm to finished roof
1 · Free damage inspection
We walk the roof, mark hail hits and wind-lifted seams, photograph collateral damage on gutters, vents and soft metals, and pull the storm data for your address.
2 · Claim documentation
You get a written damage report with photos, measurements and a line-item scope you can file with your carrier. We help you report the correct date of loss.
3 · Adjuster meeting
We meet your adjuster on site, walk the roof together and advocate for a scope that includes code-required items like ice-and-water shield and drip edge.
4 · Repair or replacement
Once the claim is approved we schedule the work, handle supplements if hidden damage appears, and finish with a final inspection and warranty paperwork.
Know the damage
What wind, hail and natural disasters do to a roof
Hail damage
Bruised or fractured shingle mats, granule loss exposing the asphalt, dents in gutters, vents, flashing and rooftop HVAC units. On low-slope roofs hail shows as membrane punctures and crushed insulation.
Wind & straight-line storms
Creased or missing shingles, lifted membrane seams, torn edge metal and blown-off coping. Chicago gusts often unseal shingles that still look flat from the ground.
Derechos & tornadic events
Widespread structural damage, tree impacts and decking loss. These events usually need emergency dry-in the same day plus a full replacement scope.
Ice, snow & freeze-thaw
Ice dams backing water under shingles, ponding on flat roofs and split membranes at freeze-thaw cracks — often covered when tied to a specific weather event.
Good to know
Claim questions we hear every week
- How long do I have to file?
- Most Illinois policies require notice within one year of the date of loss — some carriers are stricter. Note the storm date and start early.
- Will a storm claim raise my rates?
- Wind and hail are weather losses, not fault-based claims, and are handled differently than liability claims. Your carrier can confirm specifics.
- What if my claim gets denied?
- Denials often come down to thin documentation. We can supply a detailed report with photos and storm data to support a re-inspection request.
- Who pays the deductible?
- You do — it's your policy. Illinois law prohibits contractors from waiving or absorbing deductibles, and any contractor offering that is a red flag.
Storm chasers show up the day after hail with door-knock contracts. RWS is a local Chicagoland company that has been here since 2019 and will still be here when your warranty matters.