What to do After a Hail Storm: Roof Damage & Insurance Claims

As a homeowner in Colorado, you may not know where to begin after your area is hit with a large hail storm.

Hail damage is probably one of the few, unfortunate aspects to living in Colorado. This, however, doesn’t make the reality of roof damage any easier for homeowners. If you’ve recently experienced a hail storm, you may have noticed a few door-to-door roof inspectors ready to give you an estimate, but it is okay to take some extra time and do your research. It’s important that you make sure you are hiring a licensed roofing contractor with experience in hail damage and insurance claims.

Here is a list of what to do following a storm that you suspect may have caused hail damage to your roof.

Notice (October 2016): Fort Collins, Colorado, was recently hit with a hail storm. Homeowners in Fort Collins, please follow these steps of what to do after a hail storm resulting in roof damage.

What to do after a hail storm and roof damage:

1. Call a local, licensed roofer to inspect the damage. Do not have a door-to-door solicitation roofing company inspect your roof because most will try to encourage you to file a claim that will lock you into a contract (even if there’s no damage).
2. If your roofing contractor believes that the hail damage is substantial enough to file an insurance claim, locate your homeowner’s insurance policy and call your insurance agent.
3. Your insurance company will send a claims adjuster to assess the damage and write an estimate to have your roof replaced and other damaged property fixed, if necessary.
4. Have the roofer who previously inspected your roof damage go over the paperwork from the insurance adjuster to compare damage reports and items needed.
5. Have your roofer get the project going before the winter season.
6. Again, make sure your roofer is licensed and insured and pulls a city or county permit for your project.
7. The insurance company will send you a check for your roof replacement. The checks from the insurance company might also be addressed to your mortgage company and your name. If so, you and your mortgage company will need to sign the check in order to collect payment.
8. After your project is completed, have your roofer send a paid in full invoice to your insurance company to apply it to your records and ensure the project was completed.

Colorado Quality Roofing offers free estimates to inspect your roof for any hail damage. Let us know if you have any questions, we would be happy to help! (970) 388-3407.