How a hail claim works, step by step

Most Colorado hail claims follow the same basic path. Knowing the order helps you spot when something is skipped or rushed. Details vary by insurer and by policy, so treat this as the usual sequence, not a rule.

The usual sequence

1. Report the damage. Call your insurer or file online as soon as you can. No Colorado law sets a day count, but your policy's notice clause does, and the Division of Insurance says to report as soon as possible. Write down your claim number.
2. Protect the house from more damage. If water is getting in, have the roof tarped and keep the receipts. Policies generally expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Don't climb on the roof yourself.
3. Take photos. When it's safe, photograph damage from the ground: dented gutters and downspouts, damaged vents, siding, window screens, and any ceiling stains. Note the storm date. Our after-a-storm walk-around has a list.
4. Adjuster inspection. The insurer sends an adjuster to look at the roof. The state's #NoRoofScams guidance says to let only your adjuster and the roofer you chose onto the roof, because foot traffic can cause more damage.
5. The estimate. The adjuster writes an estimate, often in a program called Xactimate, that lists each item with a quantity and price. Ask for an itemized copy and read it line by line. Our costs page explains common line items.
6. First payment. On a replacement-cost policy, the insurer usually pays actual cash value first: replacement cost minus depreciation and your deductible. The depreciation it holds back is called recoverable depreciation.
7. Sign a contract with your roofer. Colorado law requires a written contract with specific terms. You can cancel within 72 hours of signing for a full deposit refund. Separately, you can cancel within 72 hours of written notice that the insurer denied the claim in whole or in part. See hiring a roofer.
8. The work. Your roofer pulls the permit, tears off and installs the roof, and the building department inspects it. Your payments must be held in trust until materials are delivered or most of the work is done.
9. Supplements for hidden damage. Some damage only shows up once the old roof is off, like soft or rotted decking. The Division of Insurance says to report damage found during repairs before work continues. Your roofer documents it and sends a supplement, which is a request to add items to the claim.
10. Final invoice and recoverable depreciation. When the job is done, you send the insurer the final invoice and any proof it asks for. It then releases recoverable depreciation, adjusted for the actual cost and approved supplements. Your policy sets the deadline for this, so don't let it slide.
11. Checks and your mortgage company. If you have a mortgage, checks are often made out to you and your lender. The lender may need to endorse them, and on larger claims it may release money in stages. Call your lender's loss department early to learn its process.

Paperwork to keep

• Claim number and the adjuster's name and contact
• Your photos and the storm date
• Every estimate, including revisions and supplements
• The insurer's payment letters and any written denial
• Your signed roofing contract
• Permit number and final inspection result
• The final invoice and manufacturer warranty paperwork

Keep these in your roof history file. They help with the next claim, a sale of the house, or a warranty question years from now. For how the policy terms work, see insurance in plain English.

Common questions

How long do I have to report hail damage in Colorado?

No Colorado statute sets a day count. Your policy's notice clause controls, and the Division of Insurance says to report as soon as possible.

Do I need a roofer before I call my insurer?

No. You can report the claim yourself first. Many people have a roofer they chose look at the roof before or alongside the adjuster, but it isn't required.

Should my roofer be there when the adjuster inspects?

It can help, especially on a complicated roof, because the two can agree on what's damaged. Your roofer may discuss the repair scope with the insurer if you have a valid contract, but can't negotiate your claim as a public adjuster.

Why is the first check smaller than the estimate?

On a replacement-cost policy, the first payment is usually actual cash value, which is the estimate minus depreciation and your deductible. The held-back depreciation is usually paid after the work is done. See insurance in plain English.

Why is my mortgage company's name on the check?

If you have a mortgage, the lender usually has an interest in the house, so insurers often make claim checks payable to you and the lender. The lender's own process for endorsing and releasing funds applies.

Can I keep the insurance money and not fix the roof?

That depends on your policy and your mortgage terms. On a replacement-cost policy, you typically won't receive recoverable depreciation unless the roof is replaced, and a lender may require the repair.

What if the roofer finds rotten decking during the job?

That's a supplement. The Division of Insurance says to report damage found during repairs before work continues, so the insurer can see it. Your roofer should photograph it and pause on that item.

Can I cancel a contract if my claim is denied?

Yes, in many cases. Under C.R.S. 6-22-104, you can cancel within 72 hours after you get written notice that the insurer denied the claim in whole or in part. The contractor must return payments within 10 days, minus the cost of work actually done.

What if I disagree with the adjuster's estimate?

Ask for an itemized explanation and the specific policy language they rely on. You can submit your contractor's estimate, request a reinspection, use your policy's appraisal clause, or hire a licensed public adjuster.

My roofer offered to cover my deductible. Is that OK?

No. A contractor paid from insurance may not pay, waive or rebate any part of your deductible under C.R.S. 6-22-105. Treat the offer as a red flag.