When a homeowner calls their insurance agent after a fire, flood, sump-pump failure, burst pipe, or smoke emergency, they want reassurance. They want answers. And they want a restoration partner who won’t complicate the claim or jeopardize coverage.

For more than 40 years, insurance agents across Chicago, the North Shore, and Lake County have relied on ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons as the kind of partner who makes their job easier, stabilizes losses fast, and protects the policyholder relationship.

This guide explains why top-performing agencies continue to refer us, what agents need from a restoration partner, and how our certified team supports smoother claims, better documentation, and better outcomes for everyone involved.

Why Reliable Restoration Partners Matter to Insurance Agents

A restoration vendor affects three critical areas of an agent’s business:

1. Customer Retention

Policyholders judge their insurer based on how the claim process feels.
If their contractor is slow, unprofessional, uncommunicative, or careless, the agent gets blamed.

2. Loss Severity

Fast, correct mitigation reduces the amount of demolition, reconstruction, and secondary mold damage — protecting the carrier’s loss ratio and keeping premiums stable.

3. Compliance & Documentation

Adjusters and carriers rely on accurate readings, cause-of-loss details, photos, and proper category classifications (Category 1, 2, or 3).
A non-certified company creates friction.
A certified company makes the claim smooth.

Agents need a restoration partner who can be trusted with their customers, their reputation, and their claim outcomes. That is exactly how we have built our name for more than four decades.

Why Agents Across Chicagoland Rely on ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

1. 40+ Years of Local Experience

We have restored homes and businesses across:

• Chicago
• North Shore
• Lake County
• Oak Park & River Forest
• DuPage County
• Northwest Suburbs
  Our teams know Chicago’s housing stock — from 1920s bungalows to modern high-rises — and how each reacts to water, fire, and smoke.

2. Certified, Credentialed, and Verified

Agents consistently cite our credentials as a key reason for referring us:

• IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer – Sam Simon (#137718)
• IICRC Certified Firm – ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons (#163465)
• OSHA Registered – #17-000173615
• RIA Member (Restoration Industry Association)
• 2025 Inc. 5000 Honoree
• 2024 Chicago Star Award, BBB Torch Award, SB100 Award, Stevie Award

Agents know they’re sending clients to a company that meets — and exceeds — industry standards.

3. Rapid Response, 24/7

Emergency mitigation cannot wait until morning.
Our crews:

• Arrive fast
• Stabilize the loss
• Reduce severity
• Protect coverage
• Prevent unnecessary demolition
• Minimize business interruption

4. Clean, Organized Documentation

Agents tell us documentation is one of the most critical factors when choosing a referral partner. We deliver:

• Cause-of-loss clarity
• Moisture mapping
• Category & class determination
• Thermal imaging
• Before/after photo sets
• Equipment logs
• Daily monitoring notes

This helps adjusters approve claims faster and helps homeowners feel confident in the process.

5. We Protect the Agent–Client Relationship

We never pressure customers, never overstep the agent’s role, and always reinforce agent trust.
Our job is to support you — not replace you.

6. We Help Policyholders Understand the Process

Most homeowners have never experienced a loss. We guide them through:

• Coverage expectations
• Deductibles
• Proper documentation
• What to expect at each stage
• When repairs or rebuilds are needed
• When a claim may not be worth filing

This reduces call volume back to the agent and prevents customer frustration.

Common Losses Chicago Agents Refer to Us

Insurance agents across Chicago, Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Oak Park, and River Forest refer us for:

Water Damage

• Supply-line breaks
• Frozen pipes
• Sump pump failures
• Sewer backups
• Appliance leaks
• Roof and ceiling leaks
• HVAC condensate overflow
• Basement flooding

Fire & Smoke Damage

• Kitchen fires
• Grease flare-ups
• Electrical fires
• Furnace puff-backs
• Dryer fires
• Smoke odor removal
• HVAC soot infiltration

Mold Remediation

For:

• Hidden moisture
• HVAC-related issues
• Attic mold
• Basement growth
• Multi-unit building concerns

Specialty Cleaning & Odor Removal

Including:

• Trauma & biohazard cleanup
• Hoarding cleanup
• Nicotine odor removal
• Deep structural cleaning

How We Make the Insurance Agent’s Job Easier

1. We verify category & class to protect coverage.

Wrong category = claim delays or denials.
We ensure accuracy from day one.

2. We help determine if a claim is worth filing.

Many losses fall under deductible.
We help agents avoid unnecessary claims that can affect customer retention.

3. We reduce loss severity through fast mitigation.

Minutes matter.
Our 24/7 crews prevent secondary damage — saving carriers money and preserving coverage.

4. We streamline communication.

We notify agents when:

• We arrive
• We stabilize the loss
• We confirm the scope
• We identify cause-of-loss
• We complete mitigation

Agents are never left wondering what’s happening.

5. We help policyholders feel cared for.

Your clients will say:
“They got here fast. They knew exactly what to do. They made everything manageable.”

That reflects directly back on you.

A Resource You Can Share With Your Policyholders: Our Book RESTORE

To support homeowners even further, we authored the nationally distributed guide:

RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset

Amazon link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952779529

Agents use this book as:

• A new-client welcome gift
• A retention tool
• A referral driver
• A practical water and fire safety resource

It strengthens your relationship with customers while helping them prevent future losses.

Areas We Serve — Fully Expanded for Insurance Partners

We cover every major municipality in our region, including:

City of Chicago (North of Roosevelt Road)

River North, Gold Coast, Streeterville, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Roscoe Village, North Center, Ravenswood, Andersonville, Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Bucktown, Wicker Park, Humboldt Park, Avondale, Irving Park, Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, Edison Park, Albany Park.

North Shore

Skokie, Evanston, Rogers Park border, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Northbrook, Northfield, Glenview.

Lake County

Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Mettawa, Mundelein, Long Grove, Kildeer, Gurnee, Grayslake, Waukegan (within select coverage radius).

Oak Park & River Forest + Western Suburbs

Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Elmwood Park, Berwyn, Riverside.
Adjacent DuPage areas: Oak Brook, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Lombard.

Northwest Suburbs

Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Wheeling, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, Palatine, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Inverness.

Agents in all these regions regularly rely on us — and so do their policyholders.

When Insurance Agents Should Call Us Immediately

1. Water has reached drywall, carpet, or flooring.

2. Sewer water is present — Category 3 risk.

3. A furnace or boiler room has moisture intrusion.

4. Smoke odor has entered the HVAC system.

5. Mold is suspected or visible.

6. A multi-unit property is affected.

7. The policyholder is overwhelmed, confused, or panicking.

We stabilize the loss, prevent escalation, and restore order.

FAQs for Insurance Professionals

FAQ #1 — Do you work with all insurance carriers?

Yes. We work with every major national and regional carrier, independent agencies, MGAs, third-party administrators, and self-insured groups.
We follow IICRC standards and provide full documentation for any adjuster.

FAQ #2 — Do you help reduce claim severity?

Yes. Fast mitigation is the #1 factor in preventing:

• Mold
• Structural damage
• Subfloor failure
• Prolonged odor
• Extended hotel stays
  Our response time and containment processes dramatically lower claim costs.

FAQ #3 — Can you help policyholders determine whether a claim should be filed?

Yes.
We assess the damage, document the loss, and help the homeowner understand whether the incident exceeds their deductible.
This avoids unnecessary claims on their CLUE report.

FAQ #4 — How do you handle multi-unit or HOA losses?

We coordinate with:

• Property managers
• HOAs
• Neighboring unit owners
• Insurance carriers
• Maintenance teams

We identify shared vs. unit-specific damages and help align coverage decisions early.

FAQ #5 — Do you provide after-hours or weekend service?

Yes.
We are 24/7/365.
Water and fire emergencies rarely follow business hours.

FAQ #6 — Do you assist with smoke odor in HVAC systems?

Yes.
We handle:

• Duct cleaning
• HVAC odor neutralization
• Ionization
• HEPA air filtration
• Structural deodorization

Insurance adjusters consistently praise our smoke documentation and odor elimination processes.

FAQ #7 — Do you have educational materials that agents can provide clients?

Yes.
Our book RESTORE is specifically designed to help homeowners prevent and navigate fire and water damage.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952779529

Partner With a Restoration Team That Makes You Look Good

Your policyholders trust you — and you deserve a restoration partner who honors that trust.

When you need fast response, accurate documentation, expert mitigation, and a positive customer experience every single time, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is the team Chicago agents rely on.

Chicago (773) 376-1110

North Shore & Lake County (847) 316-9145

24/7 Emergency Restoration
ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons