Significant residential property losses
When home damage
becomes a major claim.
Public adjusting for homeowners facing substantial property damage, with a focus on losses estimated at $500,000 or more in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Read the homeowner claim guide · Official state insurance resources
Representation for the homeowner
Make the damage and repair needs easier to understand.
A major residential loss can leave a homeowner managing damage, estimates, insurer questions, and repair decisions at the same time.
Write It Right helps investigate the property damage, organize supporting documentation, and discuss the claim on the homeowner’s behalf. The first conversation focuses on what happened, what information is available, and where the claim stands.
If you do not yet know the estimated damage amount, choose “Not sure yet” when requesting a review.
Start with a documented approach.
Review the damage
Discuss the loss history and investigate the reported damage.
Our inspection approachOrganize the claim
Develop the damage documentation and repair information needed for claim discussions.
How documentation supports the claimUnderstand the next step
Explain the proposed services and how we may be able to assist with the current claim.
Request a reviewHomeowner claim education
A practical guide after major home damage.
Start with the question you need answered today. These resources are available whether you handle the claim yourself or seek representation.
General claim education. Your policy, the documented loss, and applicable state requirements determine the claim. Source links checked September 14, 2026.
What should I do first after serious damage to my home?
Put safety and notice first
Follow emergency officials' instructions and stay out of unsafe areas. Notify your insurer promptly and keep your contact information current if you relocate. Ask how to report the loss and what information is needed next.
Document what can be seen safely
Photograph affected rooms and belongings before cleanup when safe. Identify the location and date of each set. Keep a list of damaged items. Do not enter an unsafe building or climb a roof to collect claim evidence.
Keep protection and cleanup records
Arrange appropriate temporary protection to limit further damage and retain invoices and receipts. Discuss inspection needs with the insurer before permanent repairs or disposal. If officials require disposal for safety, document the items and the instruction where possible.
Read the official guidance: Illinois DOI disaster claim guidance · Wisconsin OCI: After a Storm Hits.
What records should I keep for a homeowners insurance claim?
A useful claim file connects the damage, the proposed work, and the question still needing an answer. Keep copies of what you submit and what you receive.
House and repair records
Group photographs, inspection notes, measurements, and itemized repair proposals by room or building area. Keep the insurer's estimate beside the corresponding proposal so differences can be located.
Belongings and extra expenses
List damaged belongings by room with descriptions, age if known, and available photos or purchase records. Keep temporary-housing and other extra-expense receipts separately; ask which expenses your policy may cover and what supporting records are required.
Decisions and communication
Save policy documents, letters, emails, estimates, and payment explanations. Keep a dated log of contacts, requests, and follow-up items. Ask for any stated deadline and required submission to be confirmed in writing.
For additional detail, see Wisconsin OCI's property insurance claim guide and the Illinois DOI guidance on contents and living expenses.
Why is my insurance payment lower than the repair estimate?
The repair estimate and the payment issued may describe different things. Ask for a written breakdown before deciding what is missing or disputed. Use our visual estimate guide to find the relevant sections, then adapt a request from the free communication toolkit.
- Scope: Are the same rooms, materials, quantities, and work included?
- Payment calculation: Which deductible, depreciation, prior payments, or policy limits affect the amount shown?
- Next requirements: Is any additional payment conditional on repairs, replacement, or supporting records? Ask what applies to your policy and what timing is required.
- Unresolved items: What is the written reason for each excluded or disputed item, and which record could clarify it?
Actual cash value and replacement-cost provisions can produce different payment calculations. A price difference alone does not establish an underpayment, and depreciation is not always recoverable.
Background: Wisconsin OCI's guide to settling property insurance claims (PDF). For an Illinois property, also consult Illinois DOI's repair and replacement guidance.
Choose the support that fits
Do I need a public adjuster for my home insurance claim?
Hiring a public adjuster is optional. You can work directly with your insurer. Public adjusting may be worth discussing when a substantial loss involves disputed repair work, extensive documentation, or claim responsibilities that are difficult to manage alongside your household's needs.
Before hiring anyone, verify their credentials for the property's state and ask for a clear explanation of services, fees, and communication. Read the agreement before deciding.
Illinois DOI: What homeowners should know about public adjusters
How Write It Right can help
Our focus is substantial property losses, including residential damage estimated at $500,000 or more. We discuss the damage, the existing claim record, and the issues that need closer attention. If representation fits, we explain the proposed documentation and claim-communication work and fees before you decide.
You can start with the information you have. Use “Not sure yet” if you do not know the damage amount.
Meet Matthew Nelson and view his Illinois license record
Discuss a major home claimBefore your first conversation
- Know the property’s city and state.
- Have a brief description of the damage and timing.
- Note whether the insurer has inspected, issued an estimate, or made a payment.
- Gather existing photos and estimates for discussion during follow-up.
Read answers about public adjusting, fees, and the review process.