You have hail damage. Your insurance should cover it. But the process is not as simple as calling your agent and waiting for a check. Here are the 5 things that separate homeowners who get full payouts from those who get lowballed.
Tip 1: Get Your Own Inspection Before the Adjuster Shows Up
This is the single most important thing you can do for your claim. Before the insurance adjuster sets foot on your property, have a licensed roofing contractor inspect your roof and document every area of damage schedule a free inspection.
Why? Because the adjuster works for the insurance company. They are not trying to scam you, but their job is to assess damage, and different inspectors find different amounts of damage. Having your own professional report gives you a baseline to compare against the adjuster's findings.
If the adjuster misses damage that your roofer documented, you have evidence to push back. Without your own inspection, you are trusting one person's assessment with no way to verify it.
At Gates Enterprises, we provide free storm damage inspections that include detailed photo documentation, a written damage report, and an estimate for repairs. We attend the adjuster meeting with you at no charge insurance claims and restoration.
Tip 2: Understand the Difference Between RCV and ACV
Your insurance policy uses one of two methods to calculate your payout, and the difference is massive.
Replacement Cost Value (RCV) pays to replace your roof with materials of similar kind and quality at today's prices. You receive the full replacement amount minus your deductible.
Actual Cash Value (ACV) pays the depreciated value of your roof. If your roof was 15 years old with a 25 year expected lifespan, the insurance company calculates that 60 percent of the value is "used up" and pays you accordingly. This can mean receiving thousands or even tens of thousands less than the actual cost to replace the roof.
Check your policy. If you have an ACV policy, talk to your agent about switching to RCV before the next storm season. The premium increase is typically modest compared to the payout difference.
Tip 3: Do Not Accept the First Offer Without Review
After the adjuster's inspection, your insurance company will send a written estimate. This is their initial offer, not a final number. Read it carefully and compare it against your contractor's assessment.
Common issues with initial offers include missing line items (they documented damage to one section but missed another), underpriced materials (using generic pricing for a premium product), excluded components like starter strip, ridge cap, drip edge, or ice and water shield, and incorrect measurements.
If the offer is lower than your contractor's estimate, do not panic. Your contractor can file a supplement with documentation supporting the additional costs. This is standard practice in the insurance restoration industry, and reputable contractors handle it every day insurance claims and restoration.
Tip 4: Never Let Anyone "Waive" Your Deductible
If a contractor offers to cover your deductible, run. In Colorado, waiving or absorbing the insurance deductible is illegal. It constitutes insurance fraud for both the contractor and the homeowner.
Your deductible is your financial responsibility. Any contractor who offers to get around it is either inflating the estimate to cover the cost (fraudulent) or planning to cut corners on the job to make up the difference (bad for you).
Legitimate contractors like Gates Enterprises will never ask you to participate in deductible fraud. We tell you upfront what your out of pocket cost will be and deliver the quality of work your insurance is paying for.
Tip 5: Do Not Wait Too Long to File
Most Colorado homeowner insurance policies require you to report damage within a reasonable time frame. While Colorado does not have a specific statute of limitations for property damage claims, waiting too long creates problems.
Additional weathering after the storm can obscure the original hail damage, making it harder to prove the claim. The insurance company may argue that the damage occurred from a different event. And some policies have explicit reporting deadlines that, if missed, can result in a denied claim.
Our recommendation: file your claim within 30 days of the storm. Get your inspection within the first week. The closer your documentation is to the actual storm date, the stronger your claim.
Bonus Tip: Choose a Contractor Who Knows Insurance
Not every roofing company understands the insurance restoration process. Some are great at building roofs but terrible at navigating claims, supplements, and adjuster negotiations.
Look for a contractor who has specific experience with insurance restoration, will attend the adjuster meeting with you, handles supplements and re inspections, has manufacturer certifications (which affect warranty coverage that adjusters consider), and has a track record of successful claims in your area.
Gates Enterprises has helped thousands of Colorado homeowners navigate the insurance process successfully. Our team handles everything from the initial inspection through final supplement approval, and we have recovered millions of additional dollars for our clients through proper documentation and supplementing.
Ready to Start Your Claim the Right Way
If your roof has storm damage, start with a free inspection from Gates Enterprises. We will document the damage, walk you through the insurance process, and make sure you get every dollar your policy covers. Call (720) 766-3377 or schedule online today.