Should I call my roofer or my insurance company first after hail?

Many homeowners get a free inspection from a licensed local roofer first, so they know whether there's real storm damage before filing. Either way, you file the claim yourself with your insurer.

Can a roofer pay or waive my insurance deductible in Illinois?

No. Under the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act (815 ILCS 513/18), contractors may not advertise or promise to pay or rebate any portion of an insurance deductible as an inducement to sell their services.

Can my roofer file the claim or negotiate with my insurer for me?

Illinois guidance for roofing contractors says a contractor cannot represent a homeowner on an insurance claim or file the claim on the homeowner's behalf after a catastrophe. You file and manage the claim; your roofer can document damage and explain the roofing scope.

What should be in my roofing contract?

For jobs over $1,000, Illinois requires a written contract with the total cost, materials, and the contractor's business name and address. Roofing contracts must include the contractor's Illinois roofing license name and number, and insurance-funded contracts must include the required cancellation notice.

Does MPR Roofing help with insurance claims?

Yes. We inspect and photograph storm damage, give you a roofing scope you can share with your insurer, and can be on site during the adjuster's inspection to point out what we documented. Call (618) 699-9747.

Roof Insurance Claim Guide for Illinois

Storm season in Central and Southern Illinois often brings hail and damaging winds. If your roof took a hit, the steps below will help you document the damage, work with your insurer, and avoid common mistakes. We wrote this guide from our experience as a licensed roofing contractor based in Greenville, IL.

Step-by-Step: Filing a Roof Insurance Claim

1. Stay safe and prevent more damage

If water is coming in, protect the inside of your home first: move belongings, put down buckets, and photograph any wet areas. Don't climb on a wet or damaged roof. Your policy may expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage, so keep receipts for any emergency tarping or supplies.

2. Write down the storm date and take photos from the ground

Note the date and time of the hail or wind event. Photograph shingles in the yard, dented gutters, downspouts, siding, window screens, and outdoor AC units. Photos taken soon after the storm help show when the damage happened.

3. Read your policy basics

Look for your deductible (some policies have a separate wind/hail deductible), whether roof coverage pays replacement cost or actual cash value, and how long you have to report a claim. If something isn't clear, ask your agent.

4. Get a free inspection from a licensed local roofer

Have an Illinois-licensed roofer inspect the roof before you file, so you know whether there's real storm damage. At MPR Roofing we inspect slope by slope, photograph hail hits, creased or missing shingles, and damaged vents and flashing, and tell you honestly if we don't see claim-worthy damage.

5. File the claim with your insurance company

You file the claim yourself, by phone, app, or through your agent. Illinois guidance for roofers says contractors can't file a claim on a homeowner's behalf or represent them on the claim after a catastrophe. Write down your claim number and adjuster's name.

6. Meet the adjuster

The insurance adjuster will inspect the roof. You can ask your roofer to be there to point out the damage they documented. The insurer decides what's covered. Ask for a copy of the adjuster's estimate (sometimes called the scope of loss).

7. Review the estimate and your contract

Compare the insurer's estimate with the roofer's scope. Look for items such as underlayment, drip edge, flashing, vents, and ridge cap. In Illinois, home repair work over $1,000 requires a written contract listing the total cost, materials, and the contractor's business name and address. Roofing contracts must also show the contractor's Illinois roofing license name and number.

8. Know your cancellation rights

Illinois law lets a homeowner cancel a contract that will be paid from insurance proceeds within set time limits if the insurer denies all or part of the claim. That right must be printed on the contract. Separately, you generally have 3 business days to cancel a home repair contract signed at your home.

9. Pay your deductible; no one can waive it

Illinois law prohibits contractors from advertising or promising to pay, rebate, or waive any part of your insurance deductible to get the job. A roofer who offers to "cover your deductible" is breaking the law.

10. Complete the work and close out the claim

After installation, your insurer may need a final invoice or completion photos before releasing any remaining funds (for example, depreciation held back on a replacement-cost policy). Keep your contract, invoice, photos, and warranty paperwork together.

Think a storm damaged your roof?

Call or text MPR Roofing for a free, no-pressure inspection.

(618) 699-9747

Red Flags After a Storm

Door-to-door crews with no local address, or only a phone number or P.O. box
Offers to pay, rebate, or "work with" your deductible (illegal in Illinois)
No Illinois roofing license number on the contract or bid
Pressure to sign right away, or a contract with blank spaces
Requests for cash only, or checks made out to a person instead of the company

You can verify any roofer's license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). MPR Roofing's Illinois Roofing License number is 104.020135.

Sources

Last updated 2026-10-18. Written by MPR Roofing (Meyer Professional Roofing), Illinois Roofing License #104.020135. This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Check your policy and current law for your situation.

Roof Insurance Claim Guide for Illinois Homeowners