“The roof was old and rotten”
Hidden decay is a listed cause. We show where the rot was and whether anyone could see it.
Roof collapse insurance claims in Illinois
Snow load, ponding rain or hidden rot. Payment turns on how your policy defines “collapse”, so we read that wording and document the cause.
- $0 upfront
- Fee from the recovery only
- Licensed Illinois public adjusters
Fell in, or only sagging? The policy wording decides
Usually inside the collapse coverage
- An abrupt caving in of the roof or part of it
- From a listed cause: snow or ice weight, rain pooled on the roof, hidden decay
One bay or a porch roof can qualify.
Usually argued as “not a collapse”
- A roof still standing but sagging or cracking
- Rot the carrier calls visible or known
Snow weight is often a covered peril by itself, so a cracked rafter can still be claimed.
Three answers that stall a roof collapse claim
“The drains were blocked”
Flat roofs get blamed on maintenance. We gather drain records and that day’s rainfall.
“Nothing actually fell”
We claim the cracked framing under the snow-load peril instead.
Keep this before the damaged structure is cut out
| Evidence | What it proves | When |
|---|---|---|
| Photos of the failure in place | Which member failed first. | Before shoring |
| A piece of the failed framing | Whether the decay was hidden inside. | During removal |
| Snow or rainfall records | The load was weather, not wear. | First week |
| Shoring and tarp invoices | Costs of preventing further damage. | As you pay |
What a collapsed roof damages, and what a first estimate leaves out
Trusses, rafters and deck
Plus the connections on either side.
Roof covering
Wider than the opening itself.
Ceilings and contents below
Hit by debris or by weather.
Debris removal
Often paid as a separate item.
Often missedCode upgrades
Current snow-load framing rules.
Often missedLiving costs or lost income
While the building cannot be used.
Often missedTwo roof claims we settled
All results
The roof claim and the new roof, one team
We negotiated the claim; our construction partner built the roof.
- Claim negotiated
- Roof rebuilt
- One point of contact
“Thank you for your help with my roof claim and roof construction!” Anastasiia Karvatska
Roof, siding and gutters in one approved scope
Damage beside the roof went into the same claim.
- Roof system
- Siding
- Gutters & downspouts
“Thank you for great service!” Oleg Babin
Roof claims, in our clients’ words
Had our roof replaced with this company. Extremely happy with the outcome. Highly recommend! A++++
Irina GarbarGoogle review · April 2023
Thank you for your help with my roof claim! You delivered on the promise!
Dzhokhar DudayevGoogle review · February 2025
Very effective representing us. Results couldn’t be better.
Gerry ShacterGoogle review · November 2025
Roof down or sagging? Start here
- Free read of your collapse wordingCollapse, snow load, or both.
- The failure documented in placeWith an engineer if the cause is disputed.
- Negotiation, then our feeNothing upfront.
What Illinois claim rules require when a collapse is denied
50 Ill. Adm. Code 919.50. We are public adjusters, not attorneys.
- The denial names the clauseIn writing: the policy definition or exclusion it rests on.919.50(a)(1)
- 30 days for the undisputed partPaid within 30 days once liability is affirmed.919.50(a)
- No denial on an undocumented callA phone call missing from the claim file cannot be the reason.919.50(b)
Roof collapse questions we hear most
My roof is sagging after heavy snow, but nothing fell in. Is that a collapse claim?
Under many current forms, no. The snow-load peril can still cover the damaged framing. We check your wording.
The adjuster says the roof was old and rotten. Does that end the claim?
Not by itself. Hidden decay is a listed cause on many forms; where the rot was decides it.
Can we tear out the damaged section before the insurer inspects?
Make it safe first. Before removal, photograph the failure and keep a piece of the failed framing.