Colorado gets hit by more hailstorms than almost any other state. If your roof has been damaged, your homeowners insurance should cover the repair or replacement. But the claims process is not always straightforward, and mistakes can cost you thousands of dollars or result in a denied claim.
This guide walks you through every step of filing a hail damage insurance claim in Colorado, based on our experience handling thousands of claims across the Front Range.
Step 1: Document the Damage Immediately
As soon as you suspect hail damage, start documenting. Even before you call your insurance company.
Take photos and videos of any visible damage from the ground. Look at your gutters, downspouts, window screens, patio furniture, air conditioning units, and vehicles. Hail damage to these items is strong evidence that your roof was also affected.
Write down the date of the storm and any details you remember. Check local news reports or weather data to confirm the date, hail size, and duration. This information supports your claim.
Do not make any temporary repairs unless absolutely necessary to prevent further damage (like a tarp over an active leak). If you must make emergency repairs, document everything with photos and keep all receipts. Your insurance company should reimburse reasonable emergency repairs.
Step 2: Get a Professional Roof Inspection
Do not climb on your roof yourself. Hail damage is often invisible from the ground and difficult to identify without training. A professional roofing contractor knows exactly what to look for.
Choose a local contractor with experience in insurance restoration work. They should provide a free inspection, detailed photo documentation, and a written assessment of the damage schedule your free inspection.
At Gates Enterprises, our inspections include high resolution photos of every damaged area, measurements, and a scope of work that matches the format insurance adjusters expect. This documentation is critical for getting your claim approved.
Important: get your inspection done before calling your insurance company. Walking into a claim with professional documentation puts you in a much stronger position than calling first and hoping the adjuster finds everything.
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your insurance company's claims department and report the damage. Have the following ready:
Your policy number. The date of the storm. A description of the damage (reference your contractor's inspection report). Your contractor's contact information.
The insurance company will assign a claim number and schedule an adjuster to inspect your property. This typically happens within one to two weeks of filing.
Pro tip: ask for a copy of your full policy including all endorsements. Many homeowners have never read their complete policy and are surprised by what is and is not covered.
Step 4: The Adjuster Inspection
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. This is one of the most important steps in the process.
Have your roofing contractor present during the adjuster's inspection. This is standard practice and your right as a policyholder. Your contractor can point out damage the adjuster might miss and ensure the scope of work is complete.
The adjuster will inspect the roof, document damage, and create an estimate using software called Xactimate. This estimate determines how much the insurance company will pay for your repair or replacement.
Common issues during adjuster inspections: adjusters sometimes work quickly and miss damage on certain roof planes. They may undercount damaged shingles or miss collateral damage to gutters, flashing, or vents. Having your contractor there ensures nothing is overlooked.
Step 5: Review the Insurance Estimate
After the inspection, your insurance company will send you a written estimate and a check (minus your deductible). Review this estimate carefully with your contractor.
Compare the insurance estimate to your contractor's scope of work line by line. Common items that get missed or undervalued include: drip edge replacement, pipe boot replacement, starter strip, ice and water shield in valleys and eaves, ridge cap, and proper ventilation.
If the insurance estimate is lower than the actual cost of proper repair, your contractor can file a supplement. A supplement is a formal request for additional payment to cover items the original estimate missed storm and hail damage services.
Gates Enterprises has recovered millions in supplements for Colorado homeowners. Insurance companies are not trying to cheat you, but their initial estimates often miss legitimate line items. Supplements are a normal and expected part of the process.
Step 6: Choose Your Contractor and Schedule the Work
Once your claim is approved, choose your contractor and schedule the work. A few important things to know:
You have the right to choose any licensed contractor. Your insurance company may recommend contractors, but you are not required to use them. Choose based on certifications, reviews, experience, and trust.
Do not sign a contract that requires you to pay anything beyond your deductible. In Colorado, it is illegal for a contractor to pay or waive your deductible. Any contractor offering to "cover your deductible" is breaking the law.
Get everything in writing. Your contract should specify materials, timeline, warranty, and total cost. The cost should match the insurance approved amount plus any approved supplements.
Step 7: The Roof Replacement
A quality roof replacement typically takes one day for most residential homes. Here is what to expect:
Your contractor will order materials and schedule the crew. On installation day, the crew will remove old shingles, inspect and repair the decking, install underlayment and ice and water shield, install new shingles, replace all flashing and accessories, and clean up.
After completion, your contractor should provide a final inspection with photos, warranty documentation from both the manufacturer and contractor, and a certificate of completion for your insurance company.
Step 8: Final Payment and Depreciation Recovery
Insurance claims are typically paid in two parts. The first check covers the actual cash value (ACV), which is the replacement cost minus depreciation. The second check, called the recoverable depreciation or holdback, is released after the work is completed.
To collect the depreciation holdback: complete the roof replacement, submit the contractor's invoice and certificate of completion to your insurance company, and request release of the depreciation funds. This second payment can be significant, often $2,000 to $5,000 or more.
Do not forget this step. Many homeowners leave thousands of dollars on the table by not requesting their depreciation recovery.
Colorado Specific Insurance Rules You Should Know
Right to repair. Colorado law requires insurance companies to pay for damage caused by covered events. They cannot deny a legitimate hail damage claim simply because the roof is older.
Assignment of benefits. In Colorado, you can assign your insurance benefits to your contractor, which means the insurance company pays the contractor directly. This can simplify the payment process.
Statute of limitations. You generally have one to two years from the date of the storm to file a hail damage claim. Some policies have shorter deadlines, so check your specific policy terms. Do not wait.
Percentage based deductibles. Many newer Colorado policies have switched from flat dollar deductibles ($1,000 or $2,500) to percentage based deductibles (1 to 2 percent of home value). On a $500,000 home, a 2 percent deductible is $10,000. Know your deductible before filing.
Common Mistakes That Get Claims Denied
Waiting too long to file. Storm damage claims have deadlines. File promptly after any significant hail event.
Not documenting damage before repairs. If you fix the damage before documenting it and filing a claim, the insurance company has nothing to evaluate.
Not having a contractor at the adjuster inspection. This is the single biggest mistake homeowners make. Without a knowledgeable advocate present, damage gets missed and claims get underpaid.
Accepting the first estimate without review. Initial estimates are often incomplete. Always have your contractor review the estimate and file supplements for missed items.
Signing with a storm chaser. Out of state contractors who show up after storms often do subpar work and disappear. Use a local contractor with verifiable history, certifications, and reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will filing a claim raise my insurance rates? In Colorado, insurance companies cannot raise your rates or cancel your policy solely because you filed a weather related claim. Hail damage is not your fault.
What if my claim is denied? You have the right to appeal. Request a re inspection, provide additional documentation, or hire a public adjuster. Gates Enterprises can help you navigate denied claims and has successfully overturned many denials.
How long does the claims process take? From filing to completed roof replacement, the typical timeline is four to eight weeks. Rush situations after major storms can take longer due to high demand.
Do I have to use the contractor my insurance recommends? No. You have the absolute right to choose your own contractor in Colorado.
What if the damage is cosmetic only? Insurance typically covers functional damage, not purely cosmetic issues. However, what appears cosmetic often has functional implications. Granule loss from hail exposes the asphalt mat to UV degradation, shortening the roof's life significantly.
Get Your Free Hail Damage Inspection
If you suspect your roof has been damaged by hail, the first step is a professional inspection. Gates Enterprises provides free, thorough roof inspections with detailed photo documentation for homeowners across the Colorado Front Range.
We have completed over 7,200 roofs and recovered millions in insurance claims. Our team handles the entire process from inspection to final payment so you can focus on everything else.
Call (720) 766-3377 or visit our contact page to schedule your free inspection schedule your free inspection.