Illinois roof age and home insurance
Illinois bars nonrenewal of a home policy for the age of the property. If the roof has declined, the insurer must give the owner up to 90 days to repair, and a deductible change needs 60 days' written notice.
Short answer: Illinois: home policies can't be nonrenewed for property age; repair time up to 90 days; deductible changes need 60 days' notice.
3 of 7 topics have a rule we could quote. 11 points below, 7 from statute or rule text.
Seven topics, what we found in Illinois
Home policy may not be nonrenewed for age or location of property (143.21a)
No roof payment schedule rule found in the pages we opened
60 days' written notice before a line-wide deductible or coverage change (143.17)
No cosmetic-damage rule found in the pages we opened
30 days' notice, reasons explained; cancellation after 60 days limited to set grounds
No roof-based discount mandate found in the pages we opened
IDOI: time, not more than 90 days, to make required repairs
"Nothing found" means we opened the official pages listed below and the topic was not there. It does not mean Illinois has no rule.
In plain English
Illinois is one of the clearer states on house age. Section 143.21a of the Insurance Code says a fire and extended coverage policy, the kind that covers a home, may not be nonrenewed for the age of the property or its location. The Department of Insurance repeats it in its owner fact sheet: a company may nonrenew for any reason except age or location. Roof wear is a different matter. It is a condition, not an age.
For condition, the Department gives a repair window. If a company nonrenews because the property condition has declined, it must allow the owner time, not more than 90 days, to make the required repairs. That line is from the Department's fact sheet, and we did not find the matching statute text in the pages we opened.
Cancellation is tighter than nonrenewal. After the first 60 days, or on any renewal, a company may cancel only for nonpayment, misrepresentation or fraud, or an act that measurably increases the risk. Paying a claim cannot be the sole basis. For a policy in force 5 or more years, nonrenewal for most reasons needs 60 days' notice, not 30.
Deductibles are covered in one place. Section 143.17 bars a company from imposing changes in deductibles or coverage across a whole line of business unless it gives written notice at least 60 days before renewal. This page is a summary of public text, not legal advice. We found no Illinois rule on roof payment schedules or cosmetic damage.
What we found, with the exact words
11 points, 7 of them from the text of a statute or rule. Each quote was matched against the source page by a script, and the date is when it matched.
| Point | In short | Exact words from the source | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| No nonrenewal for age of property Refusal because of age |
A fire and extended coverage policy, which covers a residence, may not be nonrenewed because of the age of the property or its location. | “may not be nonrenewed for any of the following reasons: (a) age of property, (b) location of property” | 215 ILCS 5/143.21a Statute. Accessed 2026-10-09; quote matched 2026-10-09 in an archived copy |
| State fact sheet on nonrenewal and age Refusal because of age |
The Department of Insurance tells owners that a company may nonrenew a homeowner's policy for any reason except the age or the location of the property. | “may nonrenew your homeowner’s policy for any reason except age or location of the property” | IDOI, If Your Homeowners Insurance Policy is Non-Renewed Regulator page. Accessed 2026-10-09; quote matched 2026-10-09 |
| Cancellation after the first 60 days Non-renewal and cancellation |
Once a residential policy has been in force 60 days, or is a renewal, the company may cancel only for the listed reasons. | “effective for 60 days, or if such policy is a renewal policy, the company shall not exercise its right to cancel except” | 215 ILCS 5/143.21 Statute. Accessed 2026-10-09; quote matched 2026-10-09 in an archived copy |
| Cancellation for added risk Non-renewal and cancellation |
Besides nonpayment, a company may cancel for misrepresentation or fraud, or for an act that measurably increases the risk it accepted. | “obtained by misrepresentation or fraud; or c. For any act which measurably increases the risk originally accepted” | 215 ILCS 5/143.21 Statute. Accessed 2026-10-09; quote matched 2026-10-09 in an archived copy |
| Paying a claim is not enough to cancel Non-renewal and cancellation |
A residential policy may not be cancelled when the only basis is that the company paid a claim or claims on it. | “may be cancelled where the sole basis for such cancellation is the payment by the insurance company of a claim or claims” | 215 ILCS 5/143.21b Statute. Accessed 2026-10-09; quote matched 2026-10-09 in an archived copy |
| Nonrenewal notice Non-renewal and cancellation |
A company must mail the named insured at least 30 days advance notice that it will not renew. | “unless it shall send by mail to the named insured at least 30 days advance notice of its intention not to renew” | 215 ILCS 5/143.17(a) Statute. Accessed 2026-10-09; quote matched 2026-10-09 in an archived copy |
| Nonrenewal notice must explain Non-renewal and cancellation |
Every nonrenewal notice must give the insured a specific explanation of the reasons. | “the company shall provide the named insured a specific explanation of the reasons for nonrenewal” | 215 ILCS 5/143.17(e) Statute. Accessed 2026-10-09; quote matched 2026-10-09 in an archived copy |
| 60 days' notice before a deductible change Percentage deductibles |
When a company changes deductibles or coverage across a whole line of business, it must mail written notice at least 60 days before renewal. | “no company may impose changes in deductibles or coverage ... at least 60 days prior to the renewal or anniversary date” | 215 ILCS 5/143.17(b-5) Statute. Accessed 2026-10-09; quote matched 2026-10-09 in an archived copy |
| Time to make repairs Right to fix or inspect |
If a company nonrenews because the property condition has declined, it must give the owner time, not more than 90 days, to make the required repairs. | “the company must allow you time (not more than 90 days) to make required repairs” | IDOI, If Your Homeowners Insurance Policy is Non-Renewed Regulator page. Accessed 2026-10-09; quote matched 2026-10-09 |
| Policy in force 5 or more years Non-renewal and cancellation |
For a policy in force 5 years or more, the Department says the company must give 60 days' written notice for most reasons. Only two limited reasons allow 30 days. | “For all other reasons, your company must mail you written notice 60 days in advance of nonrenewal” | IDOI, If Your Homeowners Insurance Policy is Non-Renewed Regulator page. Accessed 2026-10-09; quote matched 2026-10-09 |
| Cancellation notice period Non-renewal and cancellation |
The Department lists 10 days' notice for nonpayment and 30 days for all other cancellation reasons. | “at least 30 days before the cancellation date for all other reasons” | IDOI, If Your Homeowners Insurance is Canceled Regulator page. Accessed 2026-10-09; quote matched 2026-10-09 |
Roof payment and storm rules from our claim research
These rows come from the Illinois page of our claim deadlines research. They are shown here so the roof rules sit in one place.
| Kind | Rule | Exact words | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof payment | On residential fire and extended-coverage policies, actual cash value is replacement cost at time of loss less depreciation; you can ask for the depreciation worksheet. | “replacement cost of property at time of loss less depreciation, if any. Upon the insured's request, the company shall provide a copy of the claim file worksheet(s) detailing any and all deductions for depreciation” | 50 Ill. Adm. Code 919.80(d)(8)(A) Checked 2026-10-09 |
| Roof payment | Department of Insurance consumer guide: with an actual cash value policy, you should not expect repairs to be reimbursed in full. | “If your policy pays actual cash value, the company will pay the cost to repair or rebuild your house minus depreciation.” | Illinois Department of Insurance, Disasters (consumer page), Building Repair/Replacement Checked 2026-10-09 |
When hail hits Illinois
Across 46 Illinois counties the NOAA file holds 3,046 hail reports (2014 to June 2026). Peak month: Apr. Largest stone reported: 6.6 inches. A percentage deductible matters most in the months with the tallest bars.
| County with the most reports | Reports | Largest stone |
|---|---|---|
| Cook County | 228 | 2.75 in |
| Sangamon County | 143 | 3.25 in |
| Peoria County | 116 | 2.5 in |
| Will County | 111 | 3.0 in |
| Champaign County | 106 | 3.0 in |
What a percentage deductible costs on your policy
Some policies set the wind or hail deductible as a percentage of the dwelling coverage. Put in the two numbers from your declarations page. This is plain multiplication; the rule above controls how the percentage may be used, not how much it is.
Depends on your policy. Enter both numbers to see the dollar amount you would pay first.
What changes for a homeowner
- A nonrenewal letter that cites the age of the home or roof breaks the rule. Cite 215 ILCS 5/143.21a when you reply.
- A letter that cites the condition of the roof is allowed, but the Department says you must get time, not more than 90 days, to repair it.
- After the first 60 days a company cannot cancel just because it paid a claim on the policy.
- A new deductible applied to the whole line needs a written notice at least 60 days before renewal. Check the date on that notice.
- If your policy is in its fifth year or later, most nonrenewal reasons need 60 days' notice, not 30.
What to ask your insurer
Ask in writing and keep the replies. The box below turns these questions into a letter you can copy.
- Does the nonrenewal letter list the specific reason, and is the age of the roof or home part of it?
- If the reason is roof condition, in what form and by what date do I send proof of repair, within the 90-day limit?
- What date did you mail this notice, and how many days does that leave before the policy ends?
- Is the deductible change you are applying to my whole line of business, and when was the 60-day notice mailed?
- Has my policy been in force 5 years or more, and does that change the notice period?
- Is the paid claim the only reason you are giving for cancelling?
What we could not confirm
- Roof payment schedules and cosmetic-damage exclusions: 215 ILCS 5/143.13 to 143.22 and the Department's cancellation and nonrenewal fact sheets were opened; nothing found.
- Roof-based discounts or mitigation credits: nothing found in the same pages.
- Wind or hail percentage deductible limits: only the 60-day notice rule in 143.17 was found.
- The statute behind the 90-day repair window was not located. The live ilga.gov and idoi.illinois.gov pages did not open from our server, so figures use web archive copies.
Sources, with dates
- 215 ILCS 5/143.21a (statute, accessed 2026-10-09)
- IDOI, If Your Homeowners Insurance Policy is Non-Renewed (regulator, accessed 2026-10-09)
- 215 ILCS 5/143.21 (statute, accessed 2026-10-09)
- 215 ILCS 5/143.21b (statute, accessed 2026-10-09)
- 215 ILCS 5/143.17(a) (statute, accessed 2026-10-09)
- IDOI, If Your Homeowners Insurance is Canceled (regulator, accessed 2026-10-09)
Last verified 2026-10-09. For a complaint or a question about your own policy, contact the Illinois Department of Insurance.
Questions people ask
Can an Illinois insurer drop my home policy because the house is old?
Section 143.21a says a fire and extended coverage policy may not be nonrenewed for the age of the property or its location.
What if the roof is in bad shape?
The Department says that when a company nonrenews because the condition has declined, it must allow time, not more than 90 days, for required repairs.
How much warning do I get?
At least 30 days for a nonrenewal notice. For a policy in force 5 years or more, the Department says most reasons need 60 days.
Can they cancel me after a hail claim?
A policy may not be cancelled where the sole basis is the payment of a claim or claims. After 60 days, cancellation is limited to the listed grounds.
Related pages
- Illinois insurer claim deadlines
- FORTIFIED Roof incentives by state (no Illinois page yet)
- Roof age and insurance: the general guide
- Actual cash value or replacement cost for a roof
- All states
Other states: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington
Illinois cities we cover
Census data counts when homes were built, not when roofs were last replaced, so home age is only a rough guide to roof age.
| City | Median year homes were built | Homes built before 1980 | Roof age page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | 1982 | 48.0% | How old are the roofs in Bloomington |
| Champaign | 1985 | 43.7% | How old are the roofs in Champaign |
| Decatur | 1960 | 80.5% | How old are the roofs in Decatur |
| Joliet | 1986 | 46.8% | How old are the roofs in Joliet |
| Peoria | 1966 | 69.9% | How old are the roofs in Peoria |
| Rockford | 1962 | 74.1% | How old are the roofs in Rockford |
| Springfield | 1971 | 66.2% | How old are the roofs in Springfield |