Storm Damage Repair & Insurance Claims in Crystal Lake, IL
IHC Public Adjusters — Our Licensed Sister Company — Handles Your Claim from Filing to Final Payment • IHC Handles Every Repair • Free Inspections
Storm Damage Repair Backed by a Licensed Public Adjusting Firm — Not Just Another Roofer

Here’s the difference between IHC and every other storm chaser who knocks on your door after a hail event: our sister company, IHC Public Adjusters, is a separately licensed Illinois public adjusting firm. When you choose to work with both companies, the process looks like this: IHC Public Adjusters files your claim, documents every square foot of damage, and negotiates with your insurance company. IHC handles every repair. Two companies, same ownership, working together — with full financial disclosure as required by Illinois law.
McHenry County averages 60 thunderstorms a year. We get hail, straight-line winds exceeding 58 mph, and the occasional tornado (the 1965 Palm Sunday event leveled parts of Coventry in Crystal Lake). Storms hit roofing, siding, windows, gutters, trim, decks, and fences — and IHC repairs all of it. This isn’t a roofing-only operation. We handle the entire exterior, which means one contractor, one project manager, one cleanup.
IHC Public Adjusters operates from the same Route 176 office in Crystal Lake under the same ownership. Rhett Wilborn holds an Illinois public adjuster license and has been processing storm damage claims since 2006. If you choose to hire IHC Public Adjusters to represent you in your claim, the relationship between IHC and IHC Public Adjusters is fully disclosed in writing before any work begins — as required under Illinois law (215 ILCS 5/1575).
What Storm Damage Does IHC Repair?
We don’t just fix roofs. Storms damage everything on the outside of your home. One contractor, one project manager, one cleanup.
Roofing
Hail impact, missing shingles, wind-lifted flashing, ridge cap damage. We use CertainTeed, F-Wave synthetic, and Brava composite — not the cheapest three-tab shingle the insurance company wants to pay for. Proper documentation ensures your claim covers the right replacement.
Siding
Hail dents in vinyl, cracked fiber cement panels, blown-off sections. Wind-driven rain finds every gap. We’re James Hardie Preferred and LP SmartSide Preferred — your replacement siding goes on with manufacturer-certified installation standards.
Windows & Doors
Broken seals, cracked panes, frame damage from hail or debris impact. Even if the glass didn’t break, hail can destroy window screens and compromise frame integrity. We install Andersen, InnoMAXX, and Midway replacements.
Gutters & Downspouts
Dented gutters, torn downspouts, fallen gutter runs from ice or branch impact. We install seamless aluminum gutters and GutterShutter guards to prevent future damage from ice dams.
Trim, Fascia & Soffit
The parts most contractors skip in their estimate. Every damaged fascia board, soffit panel, and trim piece needs to be documented so the claim captures the full scope. These details add up fast — and insurance won’t pay for what isn’t documented.
Decks & Fences
Fallen trees, wind damage, hail-pitted deck boards. We handle structural and cosmetic repairs on wood, composite, and vinyl fencing. Most homeowners don’t realize their deck and fence damage is included in a storm claim.
The IHC + IHC Public Adjusters Process — From Inspection to Final Payment
Two companies, same ownership, working together with full disclosure. Here’s what happens when you call.
Free Storm Inspection (IHC)
IHC inspects your entire exterior — roof, siding, windows, gutters, trim, fencing — and documents every point of damage with photos, measurements, and material specifications. This happens within days of your call.
Claim Filing & Documentation (IHC Public Adjusters)
If you choose to hire IHC Public Adjusters to represent you, their licensed adjuster files the claim with your insurance company. They write the scope of loss using Xactimate (the same software insurance companies use) so the numbers match the insurer’s format. The financial relationship between IHC and IHC Public Adjusters is disclosed in writing before work begins.
Insurance Negotiation (IHC Public Adjusters)
When the insurance adjuster arrives, IHC Public Adjusters’ licensed adjuster meets them on-site. They walk the property together. If the insurance adjuster tries to leave items off the scope — and they often do — IHC Public Adjusters pushes back with documentation. Twenty years of claims experience goes a long way here.
Repair & Final Payment (IHC)
Once the claim is approved, IHC’s crew handles every repair — roofing, siding, windows, gutters, trim. IHC Public Adjusters coordinates payment collection from insurance (including recoverable depreciation) and handles supplemental claims if the damage scope expands during repair.
Why a Licensed Public Adjusting Firm Makes the Difference

IHC Public Adjusters Works for You — Not the Insurance Company
Your insurance company’s adjuster works for them. Their goal is to minimize what gets paid. A public adjuster works for you. Their goal is to maximize your claim within your policy limits. Illinois law allows homeowners to hire their own adjuster — and IHC Public Adjusters is a separately licensed firm that does exactly that.
20 Years of Claims Experience
IHC Public Adjusters filed its first storm damage claim in 2006. Since then they’ve handled claims across McHenry County, Lake County, and beyond — including a 9-month storm damage deployment in Champaign-Urbana. They know what insurance adjusters miss and what they try to leave out.
Xactimate Scope Writing
Insurance companies price claims using Xactimate software. So does IHC Public Adjusters. When the scope matches the insurer’s format line by line, there’s no excuse to underpay. Contractors who write estimates on a napkin lose thousands for their customers.
Contractor + Adjusting Firm Under One Roof
Most public adjusters don’t do repairs. Most contractors don’t have an affiliated adjusting firm. IHC and IHC Public Adjusters operate under the same ownership, which means seamless coordination between the claim and the repair. The financial relationship is fully disclosed in writing to every client as required by Illinois law.
Thorough Damage Documentation
Hail damage to siding isn’t always obvious from the ground. Wind can lift shingle edges without tearing them off. Gutter damage from ice dam weight shows up as sags that get worse every winter. Between IHC’s 21 years of repair experience and IHC Public Adjusters’ claims expertise, nothing gets missed.
Typically Just Your Deductible
For approved insurance claims, your out-of-pocket cost is typically just your policy deductible. IHC Public Adjusters works directly with your insurance company on claim payment. IHC handles the repairs. Financing is available if you need help covering the deductible amount.
Storm Damage? We Can Be There This Week.
Free inspection from IHC. If you choose to hire IHC Public Adjusters, they handle your insurance company so you don’t have to.
IHC Public Adjusters — IL licensed • A+ BBB • Women-led • All exterior services
McHenry County Storm Facts
The numbers explain why we stay busy after every storm season.
| Weather Factor | McHenry County Data | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Annual thunderstorms | ~60 per year | Frequent hail and wind exposure across all seasons |
| Severe wind gusts | 58+ mph | Lifts shingles, tears siding, topples gutters |
| Annual snowfall | 35–36 inches | Ice dam formation crushes gutters and backs water under shingles |
| Ice dam probability | 70% per IL winter | 35% of all winter roof insurance claims in Illinois |
| Prevailing storm direction | West/Southwest | West-facing walls and roof slopes take the worst beating |
| Hail days per year | ~1.8 | Even one hail event can damage an entire roof surface |
| Temperature swing | 15°F to 84°F (~100° range) | Freeze-thaw cycles work into every crack opened by storm damage |
Storm Damage & Insurance Claim FAQs
Should I file an insurance claim for storm damage?
If you see any sign of hail dents, missing shingles, cracked siding, or dented gutters after a storm, schedule a free inspection with IHC. We’ll tell you honestly whether the damage justifies a claim. If it does, you can choose to hire IHC Public Adjusters to handle the filing and negotiation on your behalf.
What does a public adjuster do that a regular contractor doesn’t?
A public adjuster is licensed by the State of Illinois to represent homeowners in insurance claims. They file the claim, write the damage scope in Xactimate, meet the insurance adjuster on-site, and negotiate for full repair coverage. A regular contractor just writes an estimate and hopes the insurance company agrees with it. IHC Public Adjusters is a separately licensed firm that provides this service.
Does storm damage insurance cover siding and windows, or just roofing?
Most homeowner policies cover all storm damage to the exterior — roofing, siding, windows, gutters, trim, decks, and fences. Insurance adjusters sometimes focus only on the roof and miss everything else. IHC inspects every surface so nothing gets left out of the documentation.
How long after a storm can I file a claim?
Most Illinois homeowner policies allow claims to be filed within 1 to 2 years of the storm event, but sooner is better. Damage documented quickly is harder for insurance to dispute. If you suspect storm damage, schedule a free inspection as soon as possible.
What will my out-of-pocket cost be for storm damage repair?
For approved insurance claims, your out-of-pocket cost is typically your policy deductible. IHC Public Adjusters coordinates payment directly with your insurance company, including recoverable depreciation once repairs are complete. Financing is available if your deductible creates a hardship.
How do I know if my roof has hail damage?
Common signs include dented gutter sections, dings on HVAC units or mailboxes, bruised or cracked shingles, and granule loss visible in your downspout splash blocks. From the ground, you may not see shingle damage at all — a professional inspection with a roof walk is the only reliable way to assess hail impact.
Think Your Home Has Storm Damage?
Don’t wait. Damage gets worse with every rain and every freeze-thaw cycle. IHC will inspect your property for free and tell you honestly if a claim makes sense.
IHC Public Adjusters is a separately licensed IL public adjusting firm under the same ownership as IHC. The financial relationship is disclosed in writing as required by 215 ILCS 5/1575.
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
IHC Public Adjusters — IL Licensed
CertainTeed ShingleMaster
James Hardie Preferred • LP SmartSide Preferred
A+ BBB • Best of Fox since 2011













