Hail damage in Elk Grove Village, Illinois — what to do next

The adjuster who inspects your roof is hired and paid by the insurance company.

They stand in the driveway, look up at the slope, and ask a question you have no reason to know the answer to: this looks like wear and tear to me — which of these marks is hail?

That question is the whole claim. Knowing which mark is hail, documenting it, and defending it when the answer is challenged is what a licensed public adjuster does.

Two things worth knowing before you call. Your deductible is yours to pay on any claim, whether or not you have help with it. And the fee for that help is set in writing before any work begins.

Elk Grove Village lies mostly in Cook County with a small portion extending into DuPage, bordered by the tollway to the north and neighbouring Schaumburg and Roselle. It is unusual among northwest suburbs in how much of it is commercial and industrial rather than residential.

Commercial roofs fail differently

The village's business park means a large share of the roof area here is low-slope commercial rather than pitched residential — and hail damage to a membrane or built-up roof presents nothing like damage to shingles. Bruising, membrane fracture and punctured insulation are frequently invisible from the parking lot and sometimes from the roof surface itself.

Commercial claims also run on a different scale, with business interruption, code upgrade requirements and equipment on the roof all potentially in scope. Those are exactly the line items that get omitted from a first estimate.

Being in two counties changes nothing about your claim

Part of the village sits in DuPage rather than Cook. For insurance purposes this is a non-issue — your policy, your deductible and your limitation clause are the same documents regardless of which county line your parcel falls on.

Both counties are within the area covered here, so it makes no practical difference to getting an inspection either.

Your claim clock

Illinois has no statutory filing deadline. Your policy's suit limitation clause sets the real limit, commonly about one year from the date of loss, and your policy controls. Under 215 ILCS 5/143.1 the period is suspended between proof of loss and a formal denial.

Common questions

Do you handle commercial property claims in Elk Grove Village?

Yes. Commercial and multi-family losses are squarely in scope, and given how much of the village is business park they come up here more than in most northwest suburbs. Commercial claims are typically larger and more complex than residential ones, with more scope items available to argue about.

How is hail damage to a flat commercial roof assessed?

Differently from a shingle roof, and less visibly. Hail can fracture a membrane or crush the insulation beneath it while leaving a surface that looks intact from above, so assessment usually means test cuts, moisture survey and close inspection of penetrations and flashings rather than a walk-around.

My property is in the DuPage part of the village. Does that matter?

Not to your claim. Your policy terms, deductible and limitation clause are identical either way, and both Cook and DuPage are within the covered area.

How long do I have after a storm?

Your policy's suit limitation clause governs — typically around a year from the date of loss in Illinois property policies, though clauses vary and yours controls. Filing a proof of loss pauses that period while the carrier reviews, under 215 ILCS 5/143.1.

Prefer not to call? Text 847-208-8380 or email tom.jtpa@gmail.com

Your county:
Cook County

Claim guides:
Condo & townhome claims
Historic district roofs
Commercial roofs
Hail damage or wear?
Cosmetic or covered?
Denied claims
Supplements
Did hail damage my roof?