Colorado Hail Season 2026: How to File a Roof Insurance Claim
Colorado experiences more hail damage per year than almost anywhere in the United States. If a storm has moved through your neighborhood recently and you're not sure whether your roof was affected — or you know it was and aren't sure what to do next — this guide walks through the full process, step by step.
The claims process is more straightforward than many homeowners expect, but the outcome depends heavily on how well the damage is documented before an adjuster visits.
Step 1 — Do a Preliminary Check From the Ground
Immediately after a storm, check what you can safely see without going on the roof:
- Gutters and downspouts: dents or dings in aluminum gutters are one of the clearest indicators of hail impact size — they're at eye level and show impact marks clearly.
- Window screens and AC unit fins: soft metal surfaces like screen frames and AC condensers show hail impact even from small stones that may not have penetrated shingles.
- Siding: look for circular impact marks, dents, or cracking, particularly on south and west elevations.
- Window sills and wooden trim: soft wood surfaces may show bruising or impact marks.
If any of these surfaces show damage, you almost certainly have roof damage too. Call a
licensed roofing contractor for a professional roof inspection before contacting your insurance carrier — you want an independent damage assessment first.
Step 2 — Get a Professional Roof Inspection Before Filing
This step is the one most homeowners skip, and it costs them. Filing a claim before having the roof professionally inspected means your adjuster's assessment is the only one on record. If the adjuster underestimates the damage — which happens — you have no independent documentation to reference.
A qualified roofing contractor will inspect the field of the roof, ridge, valleys, flashings, pipe boots, gutters, and any skylights or ventilation components. They'll document hail impact patterns (size, density, and distribution across slopes), granule loss, denting to metal components, and any secondary damage to fascia, soffits, or siding.
This documentation — photos, written assessments, and measurements — is what you bring to your adjuster meeting. If you're in Aurora, our
Aurora shingle roofing team provides free post-storm inspections.
Step 3 — Contact Your Insurance Carrier and File the Claim
After you have professional documentation in hand, call your homeowners insurance carrier and report the damage. Most carriers have a 24-hour claims line. Have the following ready when you call:
- Your policy number and the name of your agent or carrier
- The approximate date of the storm (weather records are available online — hail reports are filed by county)
- A brief description of what was damaged
- The roofing contractor's written inspection report and photos, if you have them
The carrier will assign a claims adjuster and schedule an inspection. This typically takes one to two weeks in Colorado after a major storm event — longer during peak hail season when adjusters are handling high volumes.
Step 4 — The Adjuster Visit
You have the right to have your roofing contractor present when the adjuster inspects the roof. This is important — a contractor on-site can point out damage the adjuster might otherwise miss, ask clarifying questions about the scope assessment, and provide additional documentation if the adjuster's findings differ from the initial inspection.
If the adjuster's estimate is significantly lower than your contractor's assessment, you can request a supplemental claim or a second adjuster review. Disagreements between contractor scope and adjuster scope are common and are a normal part of the claims process.
Step 5 — Understand Your Policy Before Approving the Scope
Before work begins, confirm the following from your policy:
- Replacement Cost Value (RCV) vs Actual Cash Value (ACV): RCV pays the full cost of replacing the damaged material; ACV deducts for depreciation. Most standard homeowners’ policies are RCV for roofing, but this varies.
- Your deductible: Colorado has seen a rise in percentage-based hail deductibles (e.g. 1–2% of home value rather than a flat $1,000 or $2,500). Know your deductible before the claim is finalized.
- Extended Replacement Cost coverage: if your home is older or construction costs have risen significantly, your policy limit may not cover the full replacement cost. Extended coverage bridges that gap.
Need Help With a Hail Damage Claim in Colorado?
Formula Roofing & Remodeling assists Colorado homeowners through the full claims process — free inspection, damage documentation, adjuster meetings, and project completion. Visit our roof insurance claims page for full details or check our hail damage FAQ for common questions. Call (303) 600-8696 to schedule a free post-storm inspection.
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Colorado homeowners and contractors are increasingly looking for responsible ways to handle roofing materials at the end of their service life. Denver is now introducing new requirements that will make recycling and reuse part of the permitting process for many construction and demolition projects. Beginning September 1, 2026, the City and County of Denver will require many qualifying projects to divert at least 50% of construction and demolition debris by weight and recycle or reuse at least three covered material categories. These rules apply only within the City and County of Denver. What the New Denver Rules Mean for Roofing Projects For qualifying roofing projects, contractors may need to submit a waste-diversion plan before the permit is issued. The plan must estimate the total debris weight, identify materials intended for recycling or reuse, list the destination and transportation method, and estimate the project’s diversion rate. After final inspection, the contractor generally has 60 days to provide supporting documentation such as weight tickets, donation receipts, photographs, or written records showing where reusable materials were taken. The rules do not require every roofing material to be recycled, and they do not prohibit landfill disposal. However, material sent to a landfill counts against the required diversion percentage. Contractors may apply for modified requirements when full compliance is impractical. What About Asphalt Shingles? Asphalt shingles remain one of the most difficult roofing products to recycle in Colorado because the state lacks a convenient, widespread processing network. The Denver rules also do not specifically identify asphalt roofing shingles as a covered material. In most cases, removed asphalt shingles will continue to be disposed of unless a recycler specifically agrees to accept them. Clay and Concrete Roofing Tile Can Often Be Reused Clay and concrete roofing tiles are different from many other roofing products because intact tiles can retain value after removal. Usable tiles may be sorted, stored, and reused for repairs, restoration work, additions, or matching discontinued profiles and colors. Formula Roofing & Remodeling, doing business as Custom Tile Roofing, accepts used clay and concrete roofing tiles in many circumstances. Homeowners and contractors who need a facility for surplus or removed tile should contact us before disposal so we can review the tile type, profile, quantity, condition, and project location. Assistance for Contractors For contractors with larger quantities of salvageable clay or concrete tile, we can often provide large metal collection crates, coordinate placement at the project, and arrange transportation off-site at no charge. Availability depends on the material, quantity, condition, project location, site access, timing, and desirability. Contractors should provide photographs, the project address, estimated quantity, manufacturer or profile if known, and the anticipated tear-off date. A Better Option for Homeowners Replacing a Tile Roof If you are a homeowner considering replacement of a clay or concrete tile roof, Formula Roofing can manage the complete project, including removal of the existing roof and installation of the new roofing product you select. When the existing tile has salvage value, Formula may offer project-specific credits or discounts based on the type, condition, quantity, rarity, and demand for the material. Hiring Formula allows the removal, salvage evaluation, transportation, and new roof installation to be coordinated as one project. This can reduce unnecessary disposal while giving the homeowner access to experienced clay and concrete tile roofing specialists and a wide range of replacement options. Being Green Has Always Been Part of Our Business Philosophy Long before Denver adopted formal construction-waste diversion rules, salvaging and reusing tile was part of the way Formula Roofing and Custom Tile Roofing operated. Preserving discontinued and hard-to-find roofing tile keeps usable material out of landfills and helps property owners complete accurate repairs and restorations. The new Denver requirements reinforce a practice we have supported for years: roofing materials should not automatically be treated as waste when they still have practical value. Contact Formula Roofing / Custom Tile Roofing Homeowners and contractors with used clay or concrete roofing tile should contact us before removing or disposing of the material. We can help determine whether the tile may be accepted, whether collection crates and transportation are available, and whether salvage credits or project discounts may apply. Call 303-600-8696 or email info@formularoofing.com / customtileroofing@gmail.com for details. Acceptance is not guaranteed and is subject to advance review of the tile, quantity, condition, project location, access, timing, and current storage needs. Denver permitting and waste-diversion requirements may vary by project.
Formula Roofing & Remodeling Recognized as a 2026 GAF Master Elite® 3-Star President’s Club Award Winner Denver Contractor Becomes the Only Roofing Company in Colorado to Hold Both GAF 3- Star President’s Club and Platinum Elite Distinctions DENVER, CO — February 24, 2026 – Formula Roofing & Remodeling announced today that it has been recognized as a 2026 GAF Master Elite® 3-Star President’s Club Award winner. Each year, GAF, a Standard Industries company and North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, presents this top-tier recognition to Master Elite® contractors who demonstrate a continued commitment to high-quality service, professional excellence, and industry leadership. With this recognition, Formula Roofing & Remodeling becomes the only contractor in Colorado to hold both GAF 3-Star President’s Club and GAF Platinum Elite distinctions — and one of only seven contractors in the country to achieve both. Together, these recognitions represent top honors in both residential and commercial roofing, placing Formula among an elite group of roofing contractors nationwide and reinforcing the company’s commitment to craftsmanship, customer service, professional training, and long-term warranty protection for Colorado property owners. The GAF 3-Star President’s Club Award is the highest honor available to GAF Master Elite® residential roofing contractors. This annual recognition celebrates contractors across the country who consistently demonstrate exemplary performance, superior customer service, and a commitment to raising the standard of professionalism in the roofing industry. “Earning GAF’s 3-Star President’s Club Award is an incredible honor for our entire team, and achieving it alongside Platinum Elite commercial certification makes this recognition even more meaningful,” said Lawrence Kerr, President of Formula Roofing & Remodeling. “To be the only contractor in Colorado — and one of only seven in the country — to hold both distinctions is a reflection of the work our crews, project managers, sales team, production team, and office staff put in every day. Formula has always been committed to doing things the right way, with craftsmanship, communication, accountability, and long-term value at the center of every project.” “The GAF Master Elite® President's Club Award is a badge of honor for contractors who prioritize quality and service above all else, distinguishing themselves among the rest,” said Jim Durkin, Chief Customer Experience Officer. “This award is reserved for the top tier of roofing contractors nationwide, reflecting a deep-seated commitment to maintaining the highest standards for their employees and every customer they serve.” GAF Master Elite® President’s Club Award winners are selected from an elite group of roofing contractors that must first demonstrate proper licensing where required, maintain insurance, uphold a proven reputation, and show a commitment to ongoing professional training. Qualifying contractors must also meet the criteria to earn the designation of a GAF Master Elite® residential contractor. For Colorado property owners, this recognition reinforces Formula Roofing & Remodeling’s ability to offer qualifying GAF roofing systems backed by enhanced warranty protection, including options such as the GAF Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty, which can provide up to 50 years of material coverage and up to 40 years of workmanship coverage on eligible roofing systems. About Formula Roofing & Remodeling Formula Roofing & Remodeling is a locally based Colorado exterior restoration company serving homeowners, businesses, property managers, and community organizations throughout the Denver Metro area and across the state. With roots dating back to 1981 through its sister company, Custom Tile Roofing, Formula specializes in residential and commercial roofing, storm restoration, windows, gutters, siding, exterior painting, and comprehensive exterior remodeling services. Formula Roofing & Remodeling is a GAF Master Elite® contractor, a GAF 3-Star President’s Club Award winner, a GAF Platinum Elite commercial roofing contractor, a BBB A+ rated company, and a six-time Colorado Roofing Association Roof of the Year award winner. The company is known for its commitment to craftsmanship, clear communication, insurance restoration expertise, and long-term customer care. For more information, visit www.formularoofing.com or call 303-600-8696 . About GAF GAF, a Standard Industries company, is the leading roofing and waterproofing manufacturer in North America. For more than 135 years, GAF has been trusted to protect what matters most for families, business owners, and roofing professionals with its innovative solutions and focus on exceptional service. GAF’s leadership extends to its commitment to strengthen its communities and industry through investments in career development, sustainable products, and local community resilience. Learn more at www.GAF.com . Media Contact: Nick Dillen Formula Roofing & Remodeling nick@formularoofing.com 303-600-8696 www.formularoofing.com
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