If you live in Colorado Springs, hail isn’t a matter of if — it’s a matter of when.
And when that storm rolls through, the next question becomes:
Should I file a roof hail damage insurance claim?
Before you call your insurance company, there are four critical things you need to understand. Filing a claim may be the right decision. But in some cases, it can cost you more than you expect.
Let’s walk through what every homeowner should know before filing a roof hail damage insurance claim.
1. Know Your Claim History (CLUE Report)
Insurance companies track your claim history through something called a CLUE report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange). This report includes:
- Your personal claim history
- The claim history tied to your property
Many insurers view multiple claims within a short timeframe as a red flag. While every company is different, three claims within five years can sometimes trigger underwriting concerns.
I’ve seen homeowners with decades of clean history file several legitimate claims in one year — auto, theft, and then roof hail damage — only to receive a non-renewal notice after the roof hail damage insurance claim was paid.
Before filing, ask yourself:
- How many claims have I filed in the past 3–5 years?
- Is this roof damage significant enough to justify adding another claim to my record?
Sometimes paying out of pocket for minor hail damage makes more financial sense long term.
2. Check for Policy Exclusions
Not all hail damage is treated equally.
Some policies exclude certain materials — especially metal components — from coverage. That can include:
- Gutters
- Downspouts
- Flashings
- Pipe jacks
- Furnace vent caps
- Box vents
In some cases, insurers classify dents to metal as “cosmetic damage” and refuse to cover them, even if the shingles are approved for replacement. Some policies even exclude “cosmetic damage” for metal roofing!
Before filing a roof hail damage insurance claim, call your agent (not the adjuster — that means you’ve already filed) and ask:
- Are there any exclusions related to metal components?
- Is cosmetic hail damage covered under my policy?
You don’t want to discover exclusions after the claim is already on your record.
3. Understand ACV vs. Replacement Cost Coverage
This is where many homeowners are caught off guard.
There are two primary types of roof coverage:
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
ACV policies factor in depreciation.
Here’s an example: If your roof is 12 years old and it’s a 30-year shingle, the insurer will deduct a significant percentage for depreciation — as well as your deductible.
That means your roof hail damage insurance claim could result in a payout that covers only a portion of the replacement cost. The rest comes out of your pocket.
Replacement Cost Value (RCV)
With replacement cost coverage:
- The insurer still calculates depreciation initially
- You receive the depreciated amount (minus deductible)
- After the roof is completed, you receive the withheld depreciation
RCV coverage typically results in much less out-of-pocket expense compared to ACV — but you need to confirm what you have before filing.
We’ve seen homeowners with ACV policies receive only 30% – 40% of what’s needed to replace their roof, especially when the roof is over 10 years old.
Call your agent and ask clearly:
“Do I have actual cash value or replacement cost coverage for my roof?”
4. Confirm Your Deductible
This may be the most important factor of all.
Many homeowners assume their deductible is still $500 or $1,000 — because that’s what it was years ago when they bought the policy.
But insurance companies frequently:
- Raise deductibles
- Convert them to percentage-based deductibles
- Adjust terms at renewal
If your deductible is 1% of your home’s value and the replacement cost of your home is, for example, $400,000, that’s a $4,000 deductible — not $1,000.
We’ve even spoken with homeowners whose deductibles were as much as 5% of home replacement value. Filing a roof hail damage insurance claim under those terms may provide little financial benefit.
Before filing, review your declaration page or call your agent and ask:
- What is my current deductible?
- Is it a flat amount or percentage-based?
Why You Shouldn’t “Blindly” File a Roof Hail Damage Insurance Claim
Roofers often encourage homeowners to file claims — and sometimes that’s appropriate. If your roof is legitimately totaled by hail, filing may absolutely be the right move.
But here’s the reality:
- A roofer doesn’t know your deductible
- A roofer doesn’t know your coverage type
- A roofer doesn’t know your exclusions
- A roofer doesn’t know your claim history
And unless they are a licensed public adjuster, they shouldn’t be interpreting your policy.
Only you can evaluate whether filing a roof hail damage insurance claim makes financial sense for your specific situation.
When Filing a Roof Hail Damage Insurance Claim Does Make Sense
You may want to strongly consider filing if:
- The hail damage is substantial
- You have replacement cost coverage
- Your deductible is reasonable
- You have a clean claim history
- There are no exclusions that limit payout
In those cases, insurance is doing exactly what it’s designed to do — protect you from major financial loss.
Final Thoughts for Colorado Springs Homeowners
In Colorado Springs, hail is common. Insurance claims are common. But that doesn’t mean every situation requires filing a roof hail damage insurance claim.
The key is informed decision-making.
Before calling your insurance company:
- Review your claim history
- Check for exclusions
- Confirm ACV vs. RCV
- Verify your deductible
Then make a calm, strategic decision — not an emotional one driven by a recent storm or pressure from anyone else.
If you’d like an honest assessment of whether your hail damage appears significant enough to justify filing a roof hail damage insurance claim, we’re happy to take a look and walk you through what we’re seeing — without pressure and without assumptions.
Because sometimes the best decision isn’t just replacing the roof.
It’s protecting your long-term financial position.
