How the Hail Insurance Claim Process Works in Colorado

If a hail storm hit your house in Colorado, you probably have a lot of questions. What happens next? How much will it cost me? Will my insurance cover it? Here’s exactly how the process works, in plain language, from a contractor who handles claims every week.

The 7-step claim process

1. Don’t climb on your roof

Hail damage often isn’t visible from the ground. Bruising, fractured shingles, and granule loss require a trained eye and a safe ladder. Call a contractor for a free inspection before doing anything else. Don’t try to evaluate it yourself, and don’t let a “free roof inspection” door-knocker pressure you into signing anything.

2. Schedule a free contractor inspection

Western Edge Exteriors offers free, no-obligation inspections. We document damage with photos, measure your roof, and tell you honestly whether you have a legitimate claim. If you don’t have damage, we’ll tell you. Storm chasers will tell you you have damage even when you don’t — that’s a red flag.

3. File the claim with your insurance

If we find legitimate damage, you call your insurance company and file a hail claim. You’ll get a claim number and an adjuster will be assigned (usually within 1–3 business days). Don’t delay — most policies have a 1-year deadline to file a claim from the date of the storm, and some carriers are pushing that down.

4. We meet your adjuster on-site

This is the most important step. We’ll be there with the adjuster, walking your roof together, pointing out every damaged shingle, vent, gutter, and accessory. An adjuster meeting where you’re alone is a recipe for under-payment. Insurance adjusters are professionals — they’re not going to find every line item without a contractor advocating for you.

5. Receive the scope of loss (SOL)

After the adjuster meeting, your insurance will send you a Scope of Loss (SOL) document — usually within 5–10 business days. This lists every line item they’ll pay for, the materials, labor, depreciation, and the first check (your ACV — actual cash value).

We review the SOL with you. Sometimes things are missing. We can submit a supplement with additional line items the adjuster missed. This is normal and expected.

6. Pick your materials and schedule the work

Once the SOL is approved (with any supplements), we schedule the project. You pick your shingle color and any upgrades. The work typically takes 1–3 days for a residential roof.

7. Submit final invoice and receive depreciation

After the work is complete, we submit our final invoice to your insurance. They release the depreciation withhold (the difference between ACV and RCV — Replacement Cost Value), which covers the rest of the project cost.

Your out-of-pocket cost: typically just your deductible. That’s it. The rest is covered by insurance.

Common questions

Will my premium go up if I file a claim?

In Colorado, hail claims generally don’t raise your premium because they’re considered “Act of God” events, not your fault. Premiums in hail-prone areas are already priced for hail. Filing a legitimate claim won’t punish you.

What if my insurance denies the claim?

If the adjuster says there’s no damage but we know there is, we can request a re-inspection. We can also bring in independent third-party engineers if needed. Most denials we see get overturned with proper documentation.

Can I just take the check and not do the work?

Technically you can take the ACV check, but you’ll lose the depreciation portion (often 30–50% of the total payout) because insurance only releases that money if the work is actually completed. You’re leaving money on the table.

How do I pick a contractor I can trust?

• Local, licensed, insured (ask for a Certificate of Insurance)
• Established with a real Colorado address
• Warranty in writing (workmanship + manufacturer)
• No pressure to sign immediately
• Will meet your adjuster on-site
• Will not ask you to pay your deductible back to them (this is illegal in Colorado)

When in doubt — call us

We’ve handled hundreds of hail claims and we don’t charge for the initial inspection or for being there when the adjuster comes out. If you’re not sure whether you have damage, or you’re feeling pressured by a storm chaser, call us first: 720-425-6121.