Insurance Restoration by Advocate Contracting & Restoration Services

Home insurance plans usually cover damage that is the result of a storm for a reasonable deductible. A claim must be filed within a year of the storm to receive coverage. We offer an incentive program that helps pay for your deductible through references. Once a claim is filed, an adjuster will examine the damage to your home alongside one of our representatives and deem the allowance granted. From there, you will select the style of roof, siding, window, etc. you would like and we will hire one of our experienced crews to restore the damages, clean up the job, and make sure you are satisfied with the work.

Mistakes to Avoid After a Storm

Believing Misconceptions on Premiums and Claims

Don’t avoid making a claim in fear that you will be singled out for a premium increase. By law, insurance companies can’t single you out to raise premiums for making a claim resulting from an “act of god.” To raise your premiums, the insurance company must petition to raise the rates for an entire zip code or city. The reality is that everyone’s premiums will increase the year following a catastrophe, so you’ll be paying higher rates regardless of whether you get a new roof or not.

Delaying Roof Inspection

Don’t assume your roof was not compromised because you cannot see any damage from ground level. Oftentimes, shingles and flashings sustain damage that can’t be readily identified without a thorough free inspection of the roof. Just because your roof is not leaking does not mean that it did not sustain damage. This damage can become problematic in the coming weeks and months but can be resolved if action is taken immediately. Damage will depreciate a new roof more than the old roof, so regardless of your roof’s age, it is important to get it replace immediately.

Accepting the Initial Insurance Estimate

Don’t settle for the initial damage estimate from your insurance adjuster. Insurance companies are allowed by law to deploy inexperienced, non-licensed adjusters up to 90 days following a catastrophe. Seeing this, many initial claims after a strong storm are not adjusted properly. In addition, most adjusters are not locally based which means they are not in tune with the local market conditions. Have an experienced, local contractor take a look at your property to determine the scope and replacement costs.

Compromising on Your Property Restoration Contractor

Don’t choose a company based simply on their “low estimate.” Pick your contractor based on references and quality of workmanship. Most reputable contractors will meet with your adjuster and agree on a reasonable price to complete the restoration of your property. If you go looking for a low price to save money, your insurance company is obligated to pay you fair market value, or the amount you spend on replacements (whichever is less).

If you find a contractor to do the work for less, then you are saving your insurance company money. They also do not warranty any of the work completed like an Advocate independent contractor would. Find a great contractor, pay your deductible, and let the contractor work out the funds with the insurance company necessary to restore your property better than it was before the storm.

Failing to Verify Your Roofer’s Insurance and Qualifications

Don’t hire an uninsured contractor to restore your property. In this day and age, you cannot be too careful when it comes to hiring contractors that are fully insured. Request to see a copy of your contractor’s insurance certificate. Make sure that they have “General Liability,” “Workman’s Comp” and “Vehicular Insurance” as well. Lastly, ask your contractor to provide a valid workmanship warranty for at least 2 years following installation.

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Southeast Wisconsin Service Areas

We service the following areas in Southeast Wisconsin:

• Delavan
• Walworth
• Fontana
• Williams Bay
• Lake Geneva
• Genoa City
• Twin Lakes
• Burlington
• Trevor
• Salem
• Kansasville
• Bristol
• Union Grove
• Sturtevant
• Darien
• Elkhorn
• Paddock Lake

Northeast Illinois Service Areas

We service the following areas in Northeast Illinois:

• Gurnee
• Wadsworth
• Lindenhurst
• Lake Villa
• Antioch
• Grayslake
• McHenry
• Woodstock
• Wonder Lake
• Richmond
• Hartland
• Hebron
• Alden
• Harvard
• Lawrence