We Get Your Life Back to Normal. FAST.™ – We Restore Peace of Mind™
After over 30 years restoring homes and businesses across Chicago, we’ve seen it all—basements under water, kitchens blackened by fire, mold creeping silently behind walls. But you know what we see most often? Homeowners who are shocked to find out what their insurance does not cover.
That’s why we’ve made it our mission at ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons to help our customers become better informed before disaster strikes. Whether it’s a flooded basement, a fire in your kitchen, or mold from a slow leak—you need to know your coverage, cold.
To help, we’ve compiled the top five questions you should ask your insurance agent today. These aren’t just technicalities—they’re real-world issues that can decide whether your recovery is covered… or denied.
1. Is My Home Covered for Full Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value?
This is the #1 question to ask—because the difference could cost you tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars.
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Replacement cost coverage means your insurer pays what it actually takes to replace or rebuild your home today, using modern materials at current prices.
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Actual cash value (ACV) means depreciation is factored in—so if your roof is 20 years old, you’re only paid for what’s left of its value.
Why It Matters:
Construction costs in Illinois have increased by over 25% since 2020. If your policy doesn’t reflect that, you could be dangerously underinsured.
Pro Tip: Ask your agent: “Is my dwelling insured at today’s replacement cost?” If not, request an updated estimate or an inflation guard rider.
2. How Much Coverage Do I Have for the Contents of My Home?
Most policies automatically cover the contents of your home—furniture, appliances, clothing, electronics—as a percentage of the dwelling limit.
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Standard policies often include 50% of your home’s insured value.
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Some upgraded plans go as high as 70–75%.
Real-Life Example:
After a kitchen fire in Evanston, we restored $52,000 in damaged contents for a client. But they were only covered up to $40,000. That shortfall? It came out of pocket.
Ask Your Agent:
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“Can I increase my contents coverage?”
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“Do I have replacement cost coverage for contents—or actual cash value?”
3. Am I Covered for Earthquakes and Floods?
Short answer: Probably not.
Standard homeowner’s policies in Illinois do not include flood or earthquake coverage. These are typically offered as add-ons through:
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FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
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Private flood insurance providers
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Separate earthquake endorsements (especially for homes near fault lines)
Why It Matters:
Flash floods in Cook and Lake Counties are becoming more frequent due to climate shifts and aging infrastructure. Don’t assume you’re covered—ask.
Follow-up Question:
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“Do I need flood or earthquake insurance based on my location?”
4. Am I Covered for Water Damage from Sewer Backups or Groundwater Pressure?
This is one of the most misunderstood areas in homeowner’s insurance—and one of the most common causes of property loss.
Standard policies often exclude damage caused by:
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Sewer or drain backups
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Sump pump failures
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Groundwater seepage
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Hydrostatic pressure (water pushing up from below)
And yet… ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons responds to these calls every single week.
Solution:
Ask about adding a water backup rider or underground water coverage—they’re typically affordable (often under $200/year) and can save you a fortune.
5. What Is My Deductible and How Does It Affect My Claim?
Your deductible is the amount you’ll pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. It can range from $500 to $10,000+.
Also important: Some policies have percentage-based deductibles (e.g., 1% of your home’s value), especially for wind, hail, or flood claims.
Ask These Questions:
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“Do I have different deductibles for different types of claims?”
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“Can I lower my premium by adjusting my deductible—or vice versa?”
🔍 Bonus: 3 Common Insurance Myths We Hear All the Time
❌ “My homeowners insurance covers whatever caused the damage.”
Not always. Insurance often covers the result of damage (like water), but not the cause (like a failing sump pump).
❌ “Flooding is just water damage—it’s all the same.”
Nope. Insurers define “flood” very narrowly. If water touches multiple properties before yours? That’s flood—and standard insurance won’t cover it.
❌ “I’ll figure it out if I ever need to file a claim.”
Trust us—you don’t want to learn how your policy works in the middle of a crisis.
🛠️ How ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons Can Help
We’re not just disaster restoration experts—we’re also insurance-savvy advocates who help homeowners:
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Document losses for claims
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Communicate with insurance adjusters
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Navigate coverage disputes
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Rebuild homes and restore peace of mind
We’ve worked with every major carrier in Illinois and understand how to get the restoration process moving fast—so your recovery isn’t stalled by red tape.
📞 Need Expert Help? Call Us Before or After Disaster Strikes
Whether you need help now or want to prepare for the future, our IICRC-certified team is standing by.
📍 Serving Chicago, the North Shore, and Suburbs
📞 Call us: 773-376-1110
🔗 Learn more about our water damage services
🔗 Fire damage restoration services
🔗 About our insurance claims expertise
How ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons Can Help
ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is an MBE/WBE certified minority, women’s, and family-run company serving the Chicago Area. The business provides disaster restoration services for damages caused by tornadoes, water, fire, flooding, mold remediation, and a wide range of interior specialty cleaning (hoarder/clutter, post-construction) to residential and commercial customers. For more information, give us a call at 773-376-1110.