Understanding Your Homeowner's Policy
Before a storm hits, it's worth understanding what your policy covers. Most Colorado homeowner's policies include:
- Wind and hail damage — the most common roofing claims in Colorado
- Falling trees or debris — damage from fallen branches or trees
- Fire damage — including lightning strikes
- Emergency repairs — temporary fixes to prevent further damage (tarping, board-up)
What's Typically NOT Covered
- Wear and tear — normal aging of roofing materials
- Maintenance neglect — damage resulting from failure to maintain your roof
- Cosmetic damage — some policies exclude damage that doesn't affect function
- Flood damage — requires separate flood insurance
The Claims Process: Step by Step
1. File Your Claim Promptly
Call your insurance company within 24-48 hours of the storm. You'll need:
- Your policy number
- Date and description of the storm
- Photos/videos of visible damage
- A list of damaged areas (roof, siding, gutters, etc.)
2. Schedule the Adjuster Inspection
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the damage. Have your roofing contractor present during this inspection — they can identify damage the adjuster might miss.
3. Review the Estimate
The adjuster will provide a damage estimate broken down by:
- Materials — shingles, underlayment, flashing, etc.
- Labor — installation costs
- Overhead and profit (O&P) — contractor business costs
- Code upgrades — if current code requires improvements beyond the original installation
4. Supplement If Needed
If the adjuster's estimate doesn't cover the full scope of work, your contractor can file a supplement with additional documentation. Common supplement items include:
- Hidden deck damage discovered during tear-off
- Code-required upgrades (ice & water shield, drip edge, ventilation)
- Additional trades (gutters, siding, paint touch-up)
5. Choose Your Contractor
Remember: you choose your contractor, not the insurance company. Be wary of storm chasers who show up uninvited — work with a local, licensed contractor who'll be here long after the job is done.
ACV vs. Replacement Cost Policies
- Replacement Cost Value (RCV) — pays the full cost to replace your roof with equivalent materials. This is the better policy.
- Actual Cash Value (ACV) — pays replacement cost minus depreciation. A 15-year-old roof might only receive 50% of the replacement cost.
If you have an RCV policy, you'll typically receive two payments:
1. Initial payment — the estimated cost minus your deductible and depreciation holdback
2. Depreciation release — the remaining amount, paid after work is completed
Red Flags to Watch For
- Storm chasers who knock on your door right after a storm — research any contractor before signing
- Pressure to sign immediately — a reputable contractor won't rush you
- Paying your deductible — any contractor who offers to waive your deductible is committing insurance fraud
- No written contract — always get a detailed written agreement before work begins
How Cornerstone Roofing Helps
We handle the insurance process from start to finish:
- Free storm damage inspection and documentation
- Adjuster meeting coordination
- Supplement filing when needed
- Direct insurance billing
- Warranty-backed installation
Call (719) 600-7852 for your free storm damage assessment.
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