Filing an insurance claim after property damage is stressful enough — but most homeowners unknowingly leave thousands of dollars on the table simply because they don’t know the process. At Trident Construction Group, we’ve recovered over $47 million for our clients across Illinois. Here are seven battle-tested tips to help you get every dollar you’re owed.
Tip 1: Know Your Policy Before Disaster Strikes
The best time to understand your homeowner’s policy is before you ever need to file a claim. Know your deductible, your coverage limits, and whether you have Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost Value (RCV) coverage. RCV pays what it costs to replace the damaged item today — ACV subtracts for depreciation. The difference can be tens of thousands of dollars on a roofing claim.
Tip 2: Document Everything with Photos and Video
As soon as it’s safe, document all damage with detailed photos and video — before any cleanup or repairs. Take wide shots for context and close-ups for detail. Walk through your home room by room. The more visual evidence you have, the harder it is for an adjuster to minimize or deny your claim.
Tip 3: Keep a Detailed Record of All Expenses
From hotel stays to tarps to takeout food while your kitchen is damaged — keep every receipt. Many of these costs qualify as “additional living expenses” (ALE) under your policy if your home is uninhabitable. Most people never claim these because they don’t know they can.
Tip 4: Never Give a Recorded Statement Without Preparation
Insurance companies often ask for recorded statements shortly after a loss. You are generally required to cooperate, but you are not required to give a statement unprepared. Speak carefully and stick to the facts. If possible, have a public adjuster or attorney present before giving any recorded statement — a single misstatement can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
Tip 5: Get Your Own Independent Estimate
Never accept the insurance company’s estimate as final without getting a second opinion from a licensed contractor. Insurance adjusters use software (like Xactimate) that often reflects lower-than-market pricing. A qualified contractor can identify scope items the adjuster missed — and those missing items add up fast.
Tip 6: Don’t Repair Everything Before the Adjuster Visits
It’s tempting to clean up and start repairs immediately. Resist this urge until the insurance adjuster has inspected the damage. If you repair or remove evidence before the inspection, the carrier may argue the damage was less severe than claimed. Make only emergency temporary repairs to prevent further damage, and photograph everything before and after.
Tip 7: Hire a Public Adjuster If Your Claim Is Significant
For any claim over $10,000, it’s almost always worth hiring a licensed public adjuster. A public adjuster works exclusively for you — not the insurance company — and their job is to document every dollar of damage and negotiate the highest possible settlement. Studies consistently show that policyholders who use public adjusters receive significantly larger settlements than those who go it alone.
Trident Is in Your Corner
At Trident Construction Group, our licensed public adjusters and construction crews handle everything from claim inspection to final build-out. We’ve helped thousands of Illinois homeowners and business owners recover what they’re owed — and we offer free claim reviews with zero obligation.
Ready to fight back? Call +1 (903) 952-2766 or visit tridentconstructiongrp.com to get your free claim review today.