Illinois
Dozens of homeowners say insurance companies lowballed or denied roof damage claims from hail
CHICAGO (WLS) — Dozens more people are saying their insurance claims for roof damage from hail in the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana were either lowballed or flat-out denied.
READ MORE: Lake County, Indiana couple battles State Farm for months over roof repairs for hail damage
The Illinois Department of Insurance is now urging consumers to come forward with their complaints so they can hold all insurance companies to their policies.
Jen and Phil Hibbard are among those who have contacted the I-Team saying their insurance company left them high and dry. The Crown Point, Ind., couple said their home suffered three hail events over the last year and their roof damage was estimated at about $23,000.
But the couple said their insurance company, State Farm, denied their claims and then dropped them. They had made three hail claims in the last three years, but only four total claims in the last 19 years.
“State Farm was choosing not to renew our homeowners’ policy because we’ve made too many claims–It was devastating,” said Jen Hibbard.
Yolanda Castrejon of Skokie said quarter-sized hail caused more than $10,000 in damage to her roof last spring, but Allstate sent her a check in the mail for just $105.
“I was very upset. Disappointed most of all,” she said.
According to research by the ABC7 Data Team, the state of Illinois has received more than 3,000 home insurance complaints since January 2022. State Farm has been leading home insurance complaints since 2022 with 1,224 or 36.8% of the total complaints. Allstate has the second most complaints since 2022 at 515, or 15.5% of the total.
Dana Popish Severinghaus, head of the Illinois Department of Insurance, said consumers experiencing problems with their insurance company should file a complaint.
“We’re basically the front line for consumers who need help getting an answer,” she said.
You can call, or submit a complaint online or in person. Once it’s processed, the insurance company has 21 days to respond to the complaint. It then takes the Illinois Department of Insurance four to six weeks to investigate a complaint.
“We look to see if an insurance law has been violated, or if the company is not abiding by the guidelines in the policy, then we request corrective action,” Severinghaus said.
Once a decision is made, the agency will send you a determination letter.
In a statement, State Farm said in part, “Following severe spring weather in Indiana and Illinois, State Farm continues to assist our customers. Year to date we have received over 83K catastrophe claims (excluding auto), and we have paid out over $800 million (also excluding auto) in these two states alone.”
They also added that “State Farm serves more customers in the state of Illinois than any of our competitors.”
Allstate said it addressed Castrejon’s claim according to her policy, and added, “We are the second largest home insurer in Illinois according to the state and are rated as one of the best home insurers in Illinois.”
But these homeowners still feel let down.
“Always paid our premiums on time. We did the cars, we did an umbrella policy, we did the house, everything. For them to look at us and go nope, it’s very disheartening,” said Phil Hibbard.
When filing a complaint with your state’s department of insurance, include as many details as possible, including pictures and videos if you have them.
How to file an insurance complaint in Illinois or Indiana
To file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Insurance, call 866-445-5364 or click here.
To file a complaint with the Indiana Department of Insurance, call 800-622-4461 or click here.
Illinois
Illinois man killed in Ross County, Ohio crash
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) — A 58-year-old man from Illinois died Friday evening after a crash on a Ross County roadway.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said that Western Springs, Illinois resident Slavisa Jovanovic was driving a Mercedes west on U.S. Route 35 just after 10:15 p.m. After driving off the right side of the road, Jovanovic’s Mercedes crashed into a tree.
He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash.
Illinois
Illinois or Northwestern? Voters picked the team they hope will win Saturday at Wrigley Field
Northwestern will be the home team Saturday against Illinois at Wrigley Field. Yes, in football. Some of you probably have been too busy sticking pins in your George McCaskey dolls to realize this was about to happen.
In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on the social platform X, we asked which team you’d rather see win the battle for the “Hat” trophy.
“It means more for Illinois,” wrote @JeffreyCanalia, referencing the Illini’s 8-3 record and opportunity to get into a New Year’s bowl game.
Next, we asked if Luke Richardson is the right coach to lead the Blackhawks into their next winning era.
“Nope,” @arrosen76 commented. “He’s not a rebuild coach. He’s a win-now coach.”
“I would like it if he stopped changing his lines so much,” @MeersmanChris offered. “Has he heard of consistency or chemistry?”
Last, we asked how often you’ve been betting on sports.
“Much, much less often than in 2020-21,” @DeyoSahler wrote. “It’s so difficult to win consistently.”
That’s true in gambling. It’s also true for pretty much all Chicago sports teams, just saying.
On to the polls:
Poll No. 1: Which team would you rather see win Saturday’s game at Wrigley Field, Illinois or Northwestern?
It’s time for this week’s “Polling Place.” Let us hear from you! Selected comments will appear in Sunday’s paper.
Poll No. 1: Which team would you rather see win Saturday’s football game at Wrigley Field, Illinois or Northwestern?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) November 29, 2024
Upshot: A 70-30 vote split in favor of the visiting Illini goes perfectly with the 70-30 crowd split we’re bound to see in favor of the Illini.
Poll No. 2: Is Luke Richardson the right coach to help make the Blackhawks winners again?
Poll No. 2: Is Luke Richardson the right coach to help make the Blackhawks winners again?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) November 29, 2024
Upshot: The Hawks went 26-49-7 for 59 points in Richardson’s first season. But then they got it together and went 23-53-6 for 52 points in his second season. Wait, is the second one worse than the first one? Never mind.
Poll No. 3: How often are you betting on sports?
Poll No. 3: How often are you betting on sports?
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) November 29, 2024
Upshot: Don’t worry about what others are doing, OK? You just worry about picking that 11-team parlay today that’s totally going to come in.
Illinois
Detective Fatally Shot, Road Rage Slaying: Illinois News
ILLINOIS — On the weekend, we present a week in review of the top stories and headlines from all across Illinois. Here’s a roundup of some of the most-read stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.
Murder Charge Filed In I-80 Road Rage Shooting Death
State police responded to a 911 call of a shooting on I-80 and found a 30-year-old man who had been shot to death after a road rage-related crash, officials said.
Detective Killed In Shooting
Police said the officer, 40, was fatally shot after responding to a report of an armed person leaving a bank. The person accused in the shooting was also shot and is hospitalized, police said.
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