Colorado · Hail claims

Filing a Colorado hail-damage roof insurance claim: the homeowner's playbook

Colorado homeowners file more hail claims than anyone else in the country. The carriers know that, which is why CO policies have quietly gotten more restrictive — percentage wind/hail deductibles, ACV roofs, cosmetic exclusions. Here's exactly what to do after a hailstorm so you don't leave money on the table.

Before you call the carrier: pull out your declarations page and check your wind/hail deductible and whether your roof is RCV or ACV. Don't have it handy? Upload it here and we'll flag both in under two minutes — free.

Step 01

Document the damage before anyone touches the roof

Wide shots of the house, close-ups of dented metal (gutters, vents, AC fins), photos of dented or bruised shingles, and ground-level shots of hail still on the lawn if you have them. Date- and location-stamp the photos. This is your single most important leverage with the adjuster.

Step 02

Check your declarations page BEFORE you call

Find three things: (1) your wind/hail deductible — usually a percentage of dwelling, not a flat number; (2) whether your roof is RCV (replacement cost) or ACV (depreciated); (3) any cosmetic damage exclusion. These determine how much you actually walk away with.

Step 03

Get a reputable local roofer to inspect

Pick a Colorado-licensed contractor with a fixed local address — not a storm chaser. Ask for a written inspection report with photos and a line-item estimate. You want this in hand BEFORE the carrier's adjuster arrives.

Step 04

File the claim with your carrier

Call the claims line, give the date of loss (the storm date), and request a field adjuster. Note the claim number and the adjuster's direct contact. In Colorado, carriers generally must acknowledge a claim within 15 working days.

Step 05

Be present for the adjuster's inspection

Walk the roof with them if it's safe, or have your roofer there. Hand them your photos and your roofer's report. Adjusters who know a contractor will challenge their numbers tend to write more accurate estimates.

Step 06

Read the estimate carefully

Compare line by line to your roofer's bid. Common shortfalls: missing ridge cap, missing ice-and-water shield, depreciation withheld on a supposedly RCV policy, code-upgrade items left out. Each line is negotiable.

Step 07

Recover depreciation if you have RCV

On an RCV roof, the carrier first pays ACV (depreciated) and holds back depreciation until the work is done. After your roofer finishes and invoices, submit the final invoice to release the depreciation check.

Step 08

Know your appeal rights

If the estimate is short, you can request reinspection, hire a public adjuster (licensed in CO), invoke appraisal (most policies allow it), or file a complaint with the Colorado Division of Insurance. Don't accept 'final offer' as final.

Find out what your policy actually pays for hail

Upload your declarations page and our AI reviewer flags your wind/hail deductible, RCV vs ACV roof, cosmetic exclusion, and any savings you're missing. Built for Colorado homeowners.

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General information, not legal or financial advice. Claim handling rules vary; consult your policy and the Colorado Division of Insurance for specifics.