Storm damage is one of the few times your homeowners policy will pay to restore your roof, siding, windows, or gutters to pre-loss condition. But filing a legitimate, well-documented claim — and getting the carrier to actually cover the full scope of repairs — takes experience that most general contractors simply do not have. Chicagoland's hail and straight-line wind events every spring and summer mean this process happens more often than homeowners expect.
Dynasty Restoration has handled hundreds of storm claims across Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, and Kane counties. We perform thorough, honest inspections — we won't file a claim that isn't there — and we work alongside your adjuster using the same industry pricing software (Xactimate) they use, so the scope of loss is complete and defensible the first time.
Types of Storm Damage We Restore
Hail Damage
Hailstones bruise shingle mats and knock granules loose, shortening roof life by years. Hail also dents gutters, fascia, and soft metal flashing — all visible evidence that supports a claim.
Wind Damage
Straight-line winds peel shingle tabs, break seals, and tear off ridge caps. Even damage you cannot see from the ground voids the wind-resistance rating of the roof.
Tree & Impact Damage
Fallen limbs and flying debris puncture shingles, dent siding, and break windows. Emergency tarping and board-up keep water out until permanent repairs begin.
Ice Dam Damage
Winter freeze-thaw cycles back water up under shingles and into wall cavities. The resulting interior water damage is often covered, but the claim must be filed promptly.
Heavy Rain & Water Intrusion
Wind-driven rain finds every failed flashing, pipe boot, and seal. We locate the source, document the scope, and restore both the exterior and any interior damage.
Gutter, Siding & Window Damage
Storms rarely damage the roof alone. Pairing the exterior elevations in a single claim is how homeowners get their property restored — not just patched.
How to Tell If Your Roof Has Hail Damage
Most hail damage is invisible from the ground. A trained inspector looks for very specific signs on the roof surface itself, and if those signs exist, the damage is almost always covered under a standard HO-3 policy.
- Random, circular bruises on shingle tabs that feel soft when pressed
- Granule loss exposing the black asphalt mat underneath
- Cracks or splits radiating from an impact point
- Dented or cracked shingle corners and keyways
- Dents on gutters, downspouts, window wraps, and aluminum fascia
- Damaged flashing, vent caps, and turtle vents
- Impact marks on soft metals such as AC fins and grill covers (a classic 'hail signature' test)
We never pressure a homeowner to file a claim that isn't supported. If there is no damage, we tell you — in writing — so you have peace of mind for your records.
The Insurance Claim Process, Step by Step
Most homeowners only go through this once. Here's exactly what happens, and how we support you at every step.
- Free inspection — we document the damage with photos, measurements, and a written summary you can share with your carrier
- Claim filing — you call your carrier and open a claim; we give you the language to describe the loss correctly
- Adjuster meeting — we meet your field adjuster on the roof with our inspection report so the scope of loss is recorded accurately the first time
- Scope review — your carrier issues a scope and pricing (usually via Xactimate); we compare it line-by-line against what the job actually requires
- Supplement (if needed) — if line items were missed or under-priced, we file a supplement with the carrier so the approved scope matches the actual work
- Repair schedule — we order materials, schedule the installation, and coordinate with you on color and product selection
- Final invoicing — we bill the carrier directly for the approved scope plus any supplements; you pay only your deductible
This is the process whether the damage is $3,000 or $30,000, and having an experienced contractor alongside your adjuster is the difference between a partial patch and a complete restoration.
ACV vs. RCV, Depreciation, and Your Deductible
Two policy terms decide how much of your claim check you actually see. ACV (Actual Cash Value) is what the damaged property was worth on the day of the loss, accounting for age and wear. RCV (Replacement Cost Value) is what it costs to replace it with new materials today. Almost every modern Illinois homeowners policy is RCV.
With an RCV policy, the carrier typically sends you two checks: the first covers the ACV minus your deductible, and the second (the 'depreciation release' or 'recoverable depreciation') is paid after the work is complete and invoiced. Your out-of-pocket cost is your deductible — not the full depreciation amount. Contractors who offer to 'waive your deductible' are asking you to participate in insurance fraud, which is a felony in Illinois (215 ILCS 5/155.33). We will never do that, and we strongly advise walking away from any contractor who does.
Act Fast — And Don't Sign the First Contract at Your Door
Most Illinois homeowners policies require that storm damage be reported within one year of the date of loss, and some carriers enforce shorter windows. If you suspect damage, schedule an inspection early — the claim window is not the same as the roof's visible condition.
Equally important: after every major storm, out-of-state 'storm chasers' flood Chicagoland suburbs with door-to-door contracts. They pressure you to sign an 'Assignment of Benefits' or 'contingency agreement' on the spot, often before any inspection has occurred. Many disappear after the claim is paid, leaving homeowners with underbuilt roofs and no workmanship warranty. Dynasty Restoration is a locally licensed Illinois contractor (License #104.018540) with a permanent office in Prospect Heights — you can always find us when you need us.
Our Storm Damage Services
Free Storm Damage Inspection
Honest, thorough inspection with written documentation. We'll tell you if there's damage — and if there isn't.
Emergency Tarping
Same-day or next-day emergency tarping and board-up to prevent further water damage after a storm.
Hail Damage Repair
Full roof, siding, gutter, and window restoration to pre-loss condition — not just shingle patches.
Wind Damage Repair
Replacement of lifted or missing shingles, re-sealed roof fields, and resets for damaged flashing and ridge caps.
Insurance Claim Assistance
We meet your adjuster, review the scope, and file supplements so the approved work matches the actual repair needed.
Interior Water Damage Coordination
For claims with interior damage, we coordinate with trusted water-mitigation and drywall partners so the full restoration is handled.