How to Navigate a Roof Insurance Claim in Tazewell County

A severe storm rolls through Washington or Pekin. The next morning, you find shingles on your lawn or notice dents in your gutters. You know you need to call your insurance company, but the process can be intimidating.

Will your rates go up? What if they deny the claim? What is a “deductible”?

At Paws Roofing Contractors, we have guided hundreds of Central Illinois homeowners through the insurance restoration process. While we are not public adjusters, we are roofing experts who know exactly how to document damage to ensure you get the coverage you paid for. Here is how to navigate the process successfully.

1. Pinpoint the “Date of Loss”

When you call your insurance agent, the first thing they will ask is, “When did this happen?”

In Illinois, you typically have one year (sometimes two, depending on the policy) from the Date of Loss to file a claim. If you wait too long, or if you guess the wrong date, your claim could be denied instantly. We recommend checking weather reports to confirm the exact date the hail or high winds hit your specific zip code.

2. Understand the “Test Square” (The 10×10 Rule)

When an adjuster inspects your roof, they don’t look at every single shingle. They typically draw a 10-foot by 10-foot square (100 square feet) on each slope of your roof.

They then count the number of “hits” (bruises from hail) or missing tabs within that square.

• If they find 8-10 hits in that square, they usually total the roof.
• If they find only 2 or 3, they might only pay for a repair.

This is why you need a roofer present. Hail damage can be subtle. If the adjuster marks a hit as “blistering” (normal wear) instead of hail damage, your claim value drops. We walk the roof with the adjuster to ensure they see exactly what we see.

3. Don’t Ignore the “Collateral” Damage

A storm doesn’t just hit your roof. It hits everything.

A comprehensive claim should often include:

• Gutters & Downspouts: Are they dented or detached?
• Window Screens: Are they torn?
• AC Units: Did hail flatten the cooling fins on your air conditioner?
• Siding: Are there cracks in your vinyl or dents in your aluminum siding?

At Paws Roofing, we inspect the entire exterior envelope of your home to ensure nothing is left off the “Scope of Loss.”

4. The “Waived Deductible” Myth

You might have a contractor knock on your door and whisper, “We can cover your deductible for you.”

Close the door immediately.

In Illinois, it is illegal for a contractor to pay, waive, or rebate a homeowner’s insurance deductible. It is considered insurance fraud. A legitimate, local company like Paws Roofing will never ask you to commit fraud. We strictly follow the law and the pricing set by the insurance software (Xactimate).

5. Call Us Before You File

Sometimes, the damage isn’t enough to exceed your deductible. If your repair costs $800 but your deductible is $1,000, filing a claim will gain you nothing—but it will put a “claim” on your permanent insurance record.

Call Paws Roofing for a free pre-claim inspection. We will give you an honest assessment: “Yes, call your agent,” or “No, let’s just do a simple repair.”

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