Illinois gets hammered by hail every year. The Chicago suburbs alone average dozens of significant hail events annually — and when a storm rolls through, homeowners immediately ask the same question: does my insurance cover this?
The short answer is yes — most of the time. But the details matter enormously. Here's everything you need to know about hail damage coverage in Illinois.
The Short Answer
Standard homeowner's insurance policies in Illinois cover hail damage as part of what's called "dwelling coverage" under Section I of your policy. Hail is classified as a sudden, accidental event — which is exactly what insurance is designed to cover.
However, what you actually receive depends heavily on the type of coverage you have, your deductible, and how old your roof is.
What Is and Isn't Covered
✅ Typically Covered
- Hail damage to roof shingles
- Damage to gutters and downspouts
- Hail damage to siding
- Skylight damage from hail
- Interior water damage caused by hail
- HVAC units damaged by hail
- Detached garage roofs
❌ Typically NOT Covered
- Normal wear and tear
- Pre-existing damage
- Lack of maintenance
- Cosmetic damage only (some policies)
- Damage below your deductible
- Flooding (separate flood policy needed)
ACV vs RCV — The Most Important Thing to Understand
The single biggest factor determining how much you receive is whether you have Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost Value coverage.
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
ACV pays the depreciated value of your roof. If your roof is 15 years old and a new roof costs $15,000, the insurance company might calculate your roof has depreciated 60% — so they pay you $6,000 minus your deductible. You cover the rest out of pocket.
Replacement Cost Value (RCV)
RCV pays the full cost to replace your roof with a comparable new roof, regardless of age. With the same $15,000 roof, RCV would pay $15,000 minus your deductible. You receive the depreciation holdback check after the work is completed.
Look for "Loss Settlement" in your policy. If it says ACV and your roof is more than 8-10 years old, call your agent about upgrading to RCV coverage. The premium difference is usually small compared to the potential payout difference.
Hail Deductibles in Illinois — What Changed
Many Illinois homeowners are surprised to discover they have a separate hail or wind/hail deductible that's different from their standard deductible. After a wave of major hail storms in the Midwest, many insurers introduced percentage-based wind/hail deductibles.
Instead of a flat $1,000 or $2,500 deductible, a percentage deductible might be 1% or 2% of your home's insured value. On a home insured for $400,000 that's a $4,000 to $8,000 deductible — significantly higher than many homeowners realize.
Check your declarations page specifically for a wind/hail deductible. It will be listed separately from your standard deductible if it exists.
Will Filing a Claim Raise My Rates?
This is the question we hear most often. The good news for Illinois homeowners is that hail damage is considered an Act of God — a weather event outside your control. Under Illinois law, insurers cannot non-renew your policy solely because you filed a single weather-related claim.
However, multiple claims in a short period, or a history of claims on your account, can affect your rates at renewal. One hail claim generally has minimal impact on your premium. Talk to your agent about how a claim might affect your specific policy before filing if you're concerned.
What If My Claim Gets Denied?
Claim denials happen more often than they should. Common reasons include:
- The adjuster classified damage as wear and tear rather than storm damage
- The damage was below your deductible
- The claim was filed after the policy deadline
- The adjuster missed damage that wasn't visible without a proper roof inspection
A denial is not necessarily final. You have the right to request a re-inspection, submit a contractor's independent estimate as a supplement, and invoke the appraisal clause in your policy if the dispute cannot be resolved.
Integrity Pro Roofing has helped Illinois homeowners successfully reverse denied claims on multiple occasions. If your claim was denied, call us before you accept the decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Free Inspection Before You Call Your Insurance
The best first step after any hail storm is to have a licensed contractor inspect your roof before you call your insurance company. This gives you an independent professional assessment, documents the damage with photos and a written report, and prepares you for the adjuster's visit.
Integrity Pro Roofing provides free inspections throughout the Chicago suburbs including Naperville, Joliet, Schaumburg, Aurora, Bolingbrook, and Villa Park.