- Hail
- Wind damage
- Basement water
- Ice dams
- Frozen pipes
- July 22, 2010Heavy rain and flash flooding in the Milwaukee metro area that caused widespread basement and sewer backups
- February 1–2, 2011Groundhog Day blizzard that brought heavy snow to southeast Wisconsin
- Late January 2019Polar vortex cold that led to frozen and burst pipes across the region
Suburbs, lakes and associations
Waukesha County is one of the state’s fastest-growing areas, and its housing shows it. Downtown Waukesha has historic homes along the Fox River, while Brookfield, New Berlin and Menomonee Falls are full of postwar ranches and split-levels. Pewaukee, Hartland, Sussex and Oconomowoc have large newer subdivisions, and lake homes line Pewaukee Lake, Okauchee Lake and the lakes around Delafield and Oconomowoc. Condominium and homeowners associations are common across the county.
Each of these property types brings different claim issues, from old plaster to luxury finishes to shared roofs. A 1950s ranch in New Berlin and a five-year-old two-story in Sussex may sit under the same storm, but their repair costs, materials and code upgrades will look nothing alike. Higher-end finishes, such as stone veneer, engineered hardwood and custom cabinetry, are where we most often see estimates fall short, because generic line items rarely capture the real price of matching them.
Weather history in the county
The July 22, 2010 storm brought heavy rain to the Milwaukee metro area, with widespread basement flooding and sewer backups. The Groundhog Day blizzard of February 1–2, 2011 buried southeast Wisconsin in heavy snow, and the late January 2019 polar vortex caused frozen pipes across the region. Hail and straight-line wind are regular threats in summer.
Common claim disputes in Waukesha County
- HOA and condo claims. Associations and unit owners often disagree with carriers on roof, siding and common area repairs. See our commercial and HOA appraisal services.
- Hail on large roofs. Newer homes have big, complex roofs, and partial repair offers are a frequent point of contention.
- Finished basements. Basements with bars, theaters and bathrooms can be expensive to restore after water backup. Learn about water and sewer backup appraisal.
- Lake homes. Wind and ice can damage docks, boathouses and lakeside structures, and coverage for these varies.
- Frozen pipes. Burst pipes can cause hidden damage that is easy to under-scope.
What we do
We are independent property appraisers. We are not a law firm and not a public adjuster. When your carrier accepts coverage but disputes the amount, appraisal is a way to resolve it. Each side names an appraiser, and an umpire settles any remaining differences.
We inspect on site, document the damage thoroughly, and prepare a detailed estimate. As an illustrative example, a carrier might offer $25,000 for a finished basement after a backup, while a full scope that includes custom cabinetry, a wet bar and a bathroom could come out higher. Your numbers will depend on the property and policy.
For associations choosing a neutral umpire, our umpire selection services may help. You can also read the appraisal process guide.
Communities we cover
We serve Waukesha, Brookfield, Pewaukee, New Berlin, Menomonee Falls, Muskego, Delafield, Hartland, Oconomowoc and Sussex. We also work in Milwaukee and Madison. Contact us to discuss your claim.
Appraisal services in Waukesha
Every Wisconsin Insurance Appraiser service is available to property owners in Waukesha and the rest of Waukesha County, including:
- Appraisal Demand Representation
- Home Insurance Appraisal
- Commercial & HOA Appraisal
- Hail & Roof Damage Appraisal
- Tornado & Straight-Line Wind Appraisal
- Snow Load & Roof Collapse Appraisal
- Water & Sewer Backup Appraisal
- Fire & Smoke Damage Appraisal
Waukesha claim questions
Our Waukesha County condo association disagrees with the carrier on a roof claim. Can you help?
Yes. We work with associations on master policy claims, documenting damage across buildings and preparing estimates for the appraisal process.
Does my policy cover my dock or boathouse on the lake?
Coverage for docks and boathouses varies widely. Some policies cover them as other structures; others limit or exclude them. Appraisal settles the amount of a covered loss, not whether coverage applies.