Wondering how to file a hail damage roof insurance claim in Denver?
Start by documenting damage, scheduling a professional inspection, and reviewing your policy before filing. Here’s how the process works—and how Elite Roofing & Solar can help guide you through it.
Here’s How to Navigate the Insurance Claims Process for Hail Damage to Your Roof
For homeowners in Colorado, hail damage is one of the most common reasons behind roof insurance claims. Before filing a claim, though, it’s important to be fully informed when it comes to your policy, the damage to your roof, and the claims process.
At Elite Roofing & Solar, we’re the top experts in Denver for hail and storm damage repairs. We’ve seen time and again that many homeowners simply file a claim immediately without taking the time to ensure they’re going through the process properly to maximize the chances that they’ll receive a payment from their provider.
In today’s post, we’re sharing a handful of tips to keep in mind when filing roof insurance claims for hail damage.
What to Do Immediately After a Hailstorm
After a hailstorm, your first instinct may be to start the insurance claim process. This should not be your first step, however. Here’s what you should do immediately after a hailstorm passes through your area:
- Take photos of damage to your roof – Documentation is the key to success when it comes time to file an insurance claim. Take pictures of your home after the storm has safely passed, focusing on areas with visible damage.
- Schedule a roof inspection – Completing a roof inspection with a trained roofer will ensure you know the full extent of damage to your roof. In some cases, large hail may not deal enough damage to warrant a claim, as every storm, roof, and insurance policy is different. Scheduling an inspection beforehand will save you the headaches of going through the claims process unnecessarily.
- Do your homework – Do you know the details of your homeowners’ insurance? Here in Colorado, hail damage should be covered—but if you don’t know with 100% confidence what your policy covers, it’s essential to get in touch with your insurance provider and ask for the details you need.
- Be ready to advocate for yourself – As you go through the insurance claims process, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to build your own case. In some cases, insurance may approve only a partial repair—or deny your claim entirely. In these cases, you may need to follow up with your provider and advocate for yourself.
- Partner with an experienced roofer – While navigating the insurance claims process can be stressful, you don’t have to do it completely alone. It’s a good idea to have a professional roofer present during your adjustment with your insurance company’s representative. An experienced roofer like Elite Roofing & Solar will be able to point out any instance of damage to your adjuster and ensure nothing is missed.* While your roofer cannot advocate on your behalf, they can certainly lend their expertise to help build a strong case for your claim.
How to Spot Hail Damage on Your Roof
As you set about taking photos of your home to document hail damage, here’s what you should be looking for:
- Splintering of shingles, exposing orange or brown color
- Splintering shingles that expose jagged edges
- Random dark spots
- Excessive asphalt granules in gutters or near downspouts
- Cracked or broken shingles in some cases
- For tile roofs: cracked, broken, or chipped roofing tiles
- For metal roofs: deep dents are widespread throughout the roof
A word of warning: don’t climb on your roof, especially after a storm. While we don’t recommend walking on your roof in general, it’s particularly important when your roof may have been damaged by hail. Walking around can make the damage worse, and your insurance could see this as an opportunity to deny your claim.
When Is It Time to Replace a Hail-Damaged Roof?
Minor hail damage is not typically a cause for a full roof replacement. However, more serious hail damage can be a long-term issue for your roof, leading to leaks and shortening its overall lifespan. Hail damage may necessitate a roof replacement if:
- Hail damage is widespread, meeting the requirements of your insurance policy for a roof replacement (often 7–10 hail impacts in a 10×10 foot area)
- You’ve already made several repairs to the roof in the past
- The roof is near the end of its expected lifespan
While these are strong indicators that your roof will need to be replaced, they aren’t universal. A professional roofer will be able to assess your roof and determine if a replacement is warranted.
How the Roofing Insurance Claim Process Works
From start to finish, the process for filing roof hail damage insurance claims typically looks like this:
- Schedule an initial inspection – This will be completed by a roofer, ideally one with insurance claims experience who can judge whether damage is substantive enough to warrant a claim.
- File a claim with your insurance provider – Follow their process for filing a claim and provide photos from your visual inspection or your roofer’s inspection.
- Walkthrough with adjuster – The insurance provider will schedule a time for an adjuster to visit your property. Make sure your roofing contractor is present to help identify damage.
- Approval and initial payment – Most of the time, if insurance is covering your roof repair or replacement, you’ll receive an initial upfront payment to help get the process started.
- Completion of roofing work – Your roofer will complete needed repairs or fully tear off the roof to replace it entirely.
- Final inspection, approval, and payment – After work is completed, your insurance provider may visit your property once more to verify that your roof has been restored. Once this is confirmed, they’ll release the remainder of your payment.
At Elite Roofing & Solar, our team has decades of experience working within the insurance claims process. We’re with you every step of the way and will be happy to provide documentation of damage to support your case and to accompany you through the adjustment and claims process.
Insurance Claim FAQs and Concerns
How long do claims take?
The length of time for insurance claims to be fully processed ranges from weeks to months. Most homeowners will hear back from their provider within a few days, but receiving payment can take much longer. Most roofers are understanding of these variable timelines, however, and will not withhold work so long as they know the claim has been approved.
Do I need to be home for the adjuster?
While it isn’t required, it’s generally a good idea to be present during your insurance adjustment and to have a roofing expert present as well.
What happens if the claim is denied?
If your claim is denied, you have a couple of options. If you have never had a professional inspection from a roofer, schedule one immediately. If you did, communicate with your roofer and ask if there is any further evidence they can find to substantiate your claim and file for reconsideration.
Can I upgrade my roof during a claim?
Yes, you can absolutely replace your roof with higher-quality materials. However, your insurance provider will likely only cover up to the value of your previous roof, meaning you’ll pay for the difference out of pocket. Roof financing can help to cover that cost.
Elite Roofing & Solar Has Your Back After a Storm
At Elite Roofing & Solar, we specialize in hail damage inspections and repairs. With years of experience as Denver roofers, our trained experts will be able to complete a full, 12-point inspection of your roof to determine whether you should file an insurance claim—and to help build your case.
Were you in the path of recent hailstorms along the Front Range? Contact us today for a hail damage inspection!
*Note: Elite Roofing & Solar is not a public adjuster and does not act as one when working on our clients’ behalf. This blog is intended for educational purposes.
