Hail Damage Checklist

Step 1 — Stay Off the Roof

Most insurance-claim "denied for pre-existing damage" arguments start with a homeowner climbing the roof and accidentally creating new damage in the wrong direction (boot scuffs, broken granules, dented soft metal). Stay on the ground. From street level you can see most of what an adjuster will see anyway: dented gutters, vents, AC condenser fins, garage doors, window screens, and downspouts.

Step 2 — Document Everything Before Calling Anyone

Insurance carriers compare what you say happened against what the storm timeline shows. Building a tight, photo-supported record in the first 48 hours makes every later step easier.

• Photograph hail stones with a coin or quarter for scale (only if it's still safe outside)
• Time-stamped photos of dented gutters, downspouts, AC fins, window screens
• Photos of any debris, broken branches, or impact damage on cars / fences / outdoor furniture
• Interior shots of any water stains, ceiling discoloration, or active drips
• Save weather data: NWS storm report, news clip, weather-app screenshot for that date/time/zip
• Note your insurance carrier name, policy number, and the deductible amount

Step 3 — Call a Roofer for an Inspection BEFORE Filing

A common homeowner mistake is filing an insurance claim before knowing whether there's actually claimable damage. If the inspector finds nothing, you've added a "claim filed" mark to your insurance record without any benefit. AC INC Roofing's post-storm inspection is free and produces a written, photo-documented report you can use to decide whether to file.

• HAAG Certified inspection (free for storm assessment)
• Photo documentation of every observed hit pattern, bruise, granular displacement, and soft-metal dent
• Written go/no-go recommendation: file the claim, monitor for now, or no claim warranted
• Estimated scope if you do file (so you know whether it exceeds your deductible)

Step 4 — File the Claim (If Warranted)

Filing is your decision, not the contractor's. If the inspection report shows clear storm damage exceeding your deductible by enough to be worth the rate impact, call your carrier directly and file First Notice of Loss (FNOL). Provide the date / time of the storm event, your inspection photos, and the address. The carrier will assign a claim number and dispatch an adjuster — typically within 5–20 days in Colorado per C.R.S. 10-3-1115.

Step 5 — Adjuster Meeting

When the adjuster comes out, AC INC Roofing meets them on site at no cost. We walk the roof together, point out documented damage, and provide our scope sheet (formatted for Xactimate, the carrier-standard estimating software). The adjuster writes their own scope based on what they see; both scopes get reconciled in the supplement phase.

What NOT To Do

These mistakes routinely cost homeowners thousands of dollars or trigger claim denials.

• Don't sign any "Assignment of Benefits" (AOB) document at the front door — you're giving away your claim rights
• Don't accept a roofer's offer to "waive" or "absorb" your deductible — illegal in Colorado and exposes you to fraud
• Don't pressure-wash the roof to "clean it up" before the adjuster arrives — destroys evidence
• Don't patch yourself with caulk or sealant before documentation is complete — adjusters discount obviously-altered areas
• Don't miss the carrier's timeline (most policies require claim filing within 12 months of the loss event)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can hail damage exist without an active leak?

Yes — and this is the most common mistake homeowners make. Hail can compromise the granular surface, mat, sealant, and fastener pattern of asphalt shingles long before a leak appears. The shingle is doing its job for now but its remaining service life has been cut significantly. By the time you see a leak, the damage is usually 12–36 months old and your filing window may have closed.

How big does hail need to be to cause damage?

On asphalt shingles, generally 1" diameter or larger (US quarter size) starts producing functional damage. On softer materials (vents, AC fins, window screens) damage starts much smaller. We've seen 0.75" hail leave clear functional damage on certain older 3-tab shingle products.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Most Colorado homeowners policies require claim filing within 12 months of the loss event. Some carriers are stricter (90 days or 180 days). Check your policy declarations page for the specific window. Filing earlier is always easier — adjusters are more skeptical of late-filed claims.

What if I already had damage before this storm?

Pre-existing damage is excluded from the new claim, but the new storm damage is still claimable. A HAAG Certified inspector can usually distinguish weathered hits from fresh hits by the granular pattern, color of exposed mat, and sealant condition. We document both honestly.