Your Cedar Shake Roof Got Hit by Hail — Now Your Insurance Company Is Fighting You
Cedar shake roofs are gorgeous. They age beautifully, they give a home real character, and they cost a fortune. That last part is exactly why your insurance company doesn’t want to pay for the replacement. When hail hits cedar shake, the damage is usually worse than what you’d see on asphalt shingles — splits running straight through the shake, hairline cracks that let water behind the underlayment, loose pieces ready to blow off in the next wind event. Insurance adjusters know cedar shake replacement runs two to three times more than standard asphalt roofing, and they fight those claims harder than any other material. They’ll depreciate aggressively, they’ll argue the damage was pre-existing wear, and they’ll try to patch when the whole field needs replacement.
That’s where Tobias Wilborn comes in. Tobias is an independent licensed public adjuster with our sister company, IHC Public Adjusters — a separately licensed Illinois public adjusting firm (per 215 ILCS 5/1575). He doesn’t work for IHC the contractor. He works for you. His entire job is to advocate for the homeowner against the insurance company. He meets the insurer’s adjuster on your roof, walks every damage point, and makes sure the full scope of work ends up in the claim — not the watered-down version the carrier wants to approve.
Here’s what makes IHC different from every other contractor knocking on your door after a storm: we document every cedar shake claim using Xactimate pricing — the industry-standard pricing software that insurance companies themselves use. When the damage documentation matches the insurer’s own pricing format line by line, there’s nothing to argue about. Most contractors write estimates in their own format, the insurance company translates it into theirs, and line items disappear. That doesn’t happen when the scope is already in Xactimate. We’ve been handling cedar shake insurance claims across Crystal Lake, Woodstock, McHenry, Huntley, and every town in McHenry County since 2005. We know exactly what adjusters try to leave off a cedar shake claim, and we don’t let it slide.
✓ CertainTeed ShingleMaster Certified — Our installation crews meet CertainTeed’s highest standards for workmanship, which means your replacement roof qualifies for SureStart Plus extended warranty coverage. See all our certifications →
Why Cedar Shake Insurance Claims Are Different
Cedar shake claims aren’t like asphalt claims. The material is expensive, the damage patterns are unique, and insurance companies have figured out how to minimize payouts on wood shake roofs.
Insurers Actively Avoid Full Replacement Cost
Insurance companies know that a full cedar shake tear-off and re-roof is one of the most expensive residential claims they’ll process. Adjusters are trained to look for reasons to deny or reduce the payout — they’ll argue the splits were caused by age, not hail. They’ll say the shakes were already at end-of-life. They’ll approve a partial repair instead of the full field replacement the damage warrants. Without an experienced advocate on your side, you’re negotiating blind against a company that does this every day.
Cedar Shake Costs 2–3x More Than Asphalt
A standard asphalt shingle replacement in McHenry County might run $12,000–$22,000. A cedar shake replacement on the same house could hit $35,000–$55,000 or more, depending on the complexity. That cost difference gives insurers every incentive to depreciate aggressively. They’ll calculate the remaining useful life of your wood shingles at the lowest possible number and subtract that from the payout. Tobias Wilborn knows their depreciation playbook and pushes back on every inflated deduction.
Many Policies Have Switched from RCV to ACV
Replacement Cost Value (RCV) pays to replace your roof with comparable materials. Actual Cash Value (ACV) factors in depreciation, which on a 15-year-old cedar shake roof can cut the payout in half. Many Illinois carriers have quietly switched cedar shake roofs from RCV to ACV coverage specifically because of the exposure. If you haven’t reviewed your policy recently, you could be in for a shock when you file. We help homeowners understand their coverage before the claim goes in — and we fight for the maximum payout regardless of policy type.
What Tobias Does for You
From the free inspection to the finished roof, we handle every step. One team, one phone number, one project manager.
Free Storm Inspection
IHC documents every split shake, every crack, every missing piece with high-resolution photos and detailed measurements. We walk every roof slope, check the valleys, ridges, and flashing, and inspect your gutters, siding, and windows for collateral damage. You get a full written report with timestamped photos through CompanyCam — at no cost, no obligation.
Damage Documentation in Xactimate Pricing
Every damage point is documented using Xactimate — the same industry-standard pricing software your insurance company uses. When the scope of work matches their pricing format line by line, nothing gets lost in translation. No ambiguous line items, no mismatched material codes, no room for the carrier to reinterpret the scope downward.
Tobias Advocates for Your Claim
When the insurance company sends their adjuster, Tobias Wilborn meets them on your roof. As an independent licensed public adjuster with our sister company, IHC Public Adjusters (a separately licensed Illinois public adjusting firm), he walks every damage point with the carrier’s adjuster and fights for full coverage. He knows exactly what they try to skip, depreciate, or reclassify — and he doesn’t let it happen.
IHC Replaces Your Roof
Once the claim is approved, our CertainTeed ShingleMaster certified crews handle the full tear-off and installation. Most homeowners don’t replace cedar shake with cedar shake — they upgrade to F-Wave synthetic, Brava composite, or CertainTeed Landmark shingles. Give yourself an insurable roof that won’t cause policy problems down the road. Need help covering your deductible? We offer financing through GreenSky.
Cedar Shake Replacement Options That Won’t Cause Insurance Problems
You don’t have to replace cedar shake with cedar shake. These materials give you the look, the durability, and the insurability that wood shingles can’t.
F-Wave Synthetic
Class 4 impact-rated — the highest hail resistance rating available. F-Wave is a lightweight single-layer synthetic that won’t crack, curl, or lose granules because it doesn’t have any. Superior wind and hail resistance, and homeowners with Class 4 roofing may qualify for insurance premium discounts. This is the upgrade for anyone who’s done fighting their insurance company over wood shake damage.
Typical installed cost: $18,000–$32,000 per average home
Brava Composite
Premium composite roofing that replicates the cedar shake look without any of the insurance headaches. Brava is available in slate, shake, and tile profiles — it delivers the aesthetic of natural materials with modern impact resistance and zero delamination risk. It weighs a fraction of real cedar and won’t split, crack, or rot.
Typical installed cost: $20,000–$38,000 per average home
CertainTeed Landmark
Our most-installed shingle and the backbone of our ShingleMaster certification. CertainTeed Landmark is a proven architectural shingle with a dimensional look, backed by SureStart Plus warranty when installed by a certified crew like ours. A reliable, insurable choice that performs year after year in McHenry County’s freeze-thaw cycles and spring storm season.
Typical installed cost: $12,000–$22,000 per average home
Don’t Let Your Insurance Company Shortchange You
Free cedar shake damage inspection with full photo documentation. If the damage warrants a claim, Tobias Wilborn and IHC Public Adjusters fight for your full payout.
Call or Text (815) 356-9020
Get a Free Estimate
CertainTeed ShingleMaster • IHC Public Adjusters — Licensed IL Firm • Women-led
Cedar Shake Roof Insurance Claim FAQs
Can I get insurance to pay for my cedar shake roof replacement after hail?
Yes — if the damage is documented properly. Hail damage on cedar shake shows up as splits, cracks, and loose shakes that compromise the roof’s ability to shed water. Tobias Wilborn with IHC Public Adjusters fights for the full payout using Xactimate pricing — the same format your insurance company uses — so nothing gets lost in translation.
Why is my insurance company lowballing my cedar shake claim?
Cedar shake replacement costs two to three times more than standard asphalt shingles. Insurers try to depreciate aggressively, argue that damage was pre-existing wear rather than storm impact, or switch your coverage from Replacement Cost Value to Actual Cash Value to reduce the payout. Without an experienced public adjuster advocating for you, the carrier’s adjuster controls the narrative — and their job is to minimize the check.
Do I have to replace cedar shake with cedar shake?
No. Most homeowners upgrade to F-Wave synthetic, Brava composite, or CertainTeed Landmark shingles. These are insurable materials that won’t trigger policy restrictions or premium surcharges the way wood shake does. You get a roof that looks great, performs better in McHenry County storms, and doesn’t cause insurance problems down the road.
What is a public adjuster and how is that different from the insurance adjuster?
The insurance company’s adjuster works for them — their job is to minimize the payout. Tobias Wilborn is an independent licensed public adjuster with our sister company, IHC Public Adjusters, a separately licensed Illinois public adjusting firm (per 215 ILCS 5/1575). He works for you. He advocates for the homeowner’s full claim payout, meets the carrier’s adjuster on your roof, and makes sure every damage point ends up in the scope of work.
How does IHC document damage for insurance claims?
We use Xactimate pricing — the same industry-standard pricing software insurance companies use. Every split shake, every crack, every missing piece is photographed and documented with material codes and pricing that match what the carrier sees on their end. When the documentation matches their format, nothing gets lost in translation and there’s no room for reinterpretation.
Cedar Shake Insurance Questions for McHenry County Homeowners
What contractor helps with cedar shake roof insurance claims in McHenry County?
IHC has been handling cedar shake insurance claims across McHenry County since 2005. We provide free inspections with full photo documentation, and our sister company, IHC Public Adjusters — a separately licensed Illinois public adjusting firm — handles the entire insurance claim process using Xactimate pricing. We’re CertainTeed ShingleMaster certified and specialize in replacing damaged wood shake roofs with modern, insurable materials.
What can I replace my cedar shake roof with after hail damage?
Most homeowners upgrade from cedar shake to F-Wave synthetic ($18,000–$32,000), Brava composite in shake, slate, or tile profiles ($20,000–$38,000), or CertainTeed Landmark architectural shingles ($12,000–$22,000). These materials offer better hail resistance, lower maintenance, and won’t trigger insurance policy restrictions the way wood shake does. F-Wave’s Class 4 impact rating may even qualify you for premium discounts.
How do I get my insurance company to pay full replacement cost for cedar shake?
Proper documentation is everything. IHC documents all cedar shake damage using Xactimate — the same pricing software your insurance company uses. Our sister company, IHC Public Adjusters, is a separately licensed Illinois public adjusting firm that advocates for your full payout. Tobias Wilborn meets the carrier’s adjuster on your roof and makes sure every damage point is in the scope.
Why did my insurance company deny my cedar shake roof claim?
Common denial reasons include the insurer claiming damage is from age or wear rather than a storm event, applying excessive depreciation, or arguing the roof was already at end-of-life. Some carriers have also switched cedar shake policies from Replacement Cost Value to Actual Cash Value, which dramatically reduces payouts. IHC Public Adjusters can review your denial, re-document the damage, and fight for the full claim amount.
Is a public adjuster worth it for a cedar shake roof claim?
Absolutely. Cedar shake claims are some of the most contested in the industry because the replacement cost is so high. The insurance company’s adjuster works for them. Tobias Wilborn with IHC Public Adjusters works for you — he’s an independent licensed public adjuster who knows exactly how carriers try to minimize cedar shake payouts. He advocates for full coverage so you’re not left paying out of pocket for damage the storm caused.
More Ways IHC Protects Your Home
Storm Damage & Insurance Claims
Full exterior storm restoration with licensed public adjusters. Roofing, siding, windows, gutters, trim — one claim, one contractor.
Hail Damage Roof Repair & Replacement
Free hail damage assessments with full photo documentation. Impact-resistant upgrade options and licensed public adjusters to handle your claim.
Insurance Claim Help
IHC Public Adjusters — a separately licensed Illinois firm — handles your claim from filing to final payment using Xactimate pricing.
Cedar Shake Damage? Get Your Free Inspection This Week.
Don’t let your insurance company decide what your roof is worth. Free inspection, full photo documentation, and Tobias Wilborn fighting for your full payout. We’ll be in touch soon.
CertainTeed ShingleMaster • IHC Public Adjusters — Licensed IL Firm • Women-led • Financing available
Innovative Home Concepts, Inc.
4410 IL-176, Ste 1
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone: (815) 356-9020
Email: info@innovativehomeconcepts.com
Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
CertainTeed ShingleMaster
IHC Public Adjusters — IL Licensed
Best of Fox since 2011
