A public adjuster is a licensed professional who represents the homeowner — not the insurance company — during the claims process. They review your policy, document the damage, prepare the claim, and negotiate the settlement on your behalf. You don't always need one, but if your claim was denied, underpaid, or has been sitting without a resolution, having a public adjuster involved usually changes the outcome. R&J operates as a licensed public adjusting group, so we can step into an existing claim or start one from scratch.

Hail damage isn't always visible from the ground. On shingles, it typically shows up as dark spots where the granules have been knocked off, leaving the underlying asphalt exposed. On gutters and metal flashing, you'll see small dents. The problem is that even moderate hail damage accelerates roof aging and can void your manufacturer's warranty. A proper inspection by someone who knows what to look for is the only way to know for sure.

Under Illinois law, your insurance company is required to acknowledge your claim within 10 days and make a coverage decision within 30 days of receiving your documentation. In reality, larger or more complex claims — especially after widespread storm events — often take longer. The completeness of your documentation makes a significant difference. When R&J manages the claim, we submit thorough reports that reduce back-and-forth and keep the process moving faster than most homeowners experience on their own.

Yes — a denied claim is not necessarily a final decision. Many denials are based on incomplete documentation, misclassification of the damage cause, or the insurer's initial field adjuster missing items during the inspection. As a licensed public adjusting group, R&J can review the denial, re-inspect the damage, and file a formal dispute or supplemental claim. We handle this regularly and have helped Schaumburg-area homeowners reverse denials and recover settlements they were initially told they weren't entitled to.

R&J serves Schaumburg and the surrounding northwest suburbs, including Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Carol Stream, Streamwood, Bartlett, and Itasca. If you're in the greater Schaumburg area and had storm damage, we can come out for a no-cost property assessment. We're local — this isn't a long drive out from Chicago for us.

No — but it makes the process significantly easier when you do. When R&J handles both the claim and the repairs, the scope of work we negotiate in the settlement matches exactly what our crew will do. There's no gap between what the insurer approved and what the contractor is quoting, which is a common source of disputes when homeowners use separate companies. That said, we'll help you with your claim even if you haven't committed to using us for the repair work.

Call us and schedule a free property damage assessment. We'll inspect your roof, siding, gutters, and any other exterior areas that may have been affected. From there, we'll tell you what we found, whether it meets the threshold for a claim, and what the repair will involve. There's no cost to get that information, and there's no obligation to move forward with anything until you're ready. It's the fastest way to get a clear picture of where you stand.