Roof Insurance Claim Timeline

Phase 1 — First Notice of Loss (Day 0–5)

You've documented the damage and a HAAG Certified inspection has confirmed the claim is worth filing. Call your insurance carrier and report the loss. The carrier opens a claim file, assigns a claim number, and dispatches a field adjuster. Under Colorado statute (C.R.S. 10-3-1115 and 10-3-1116), the carrier cannot unreasonably delay or deny first-party claims.

• Have ready: storm date / time, photos, contractor inspection report, policy number
• Get the claim number in writing (text or email) — you'll reference it on every later call
• Confirm the assigned adjuster's name, phone, and inspection scheduling window
• Most CO carriers schedule the adjuster inspection within 5–14 days of FNOL

Phase 2 — Adjuster Inspection (Day 5–20)

The adjuster comes out to your property. AC INC Roofing meets them on site at no cost — we walk the roof together, point out documented damage, and provide our scope sheet (in Xactimate format, which is the carrier-standard estimating software). The adjuster writes their own initial scope, which is typically incomplete on the first pass — most claims need supplements to capture missed line items (steep charge, ice & water shield, code upgrades, overhead & profit).

Phase 3 — Contracting Under SB38 (Day 5–25)

If you decide to move forward with AC INC Roofing, we sign a written contract that explicitly references the insurance scope and complies with Colorado SB38 (C.R.S. 6-22-101 through 6-22-105). SB38 protects you with specific homeowner rights:

• 72-hour cancellation window after signing — you can cancel for any reason
• Contractor cannot waive, rebate, or "absorb" your insurance deductible (C.R.S. 6-22-105)
• Contractor cannot accept payment from you until the carrier has approved the claim scope
• Contract must clearly state scope, materials, schedule, and total cost

Phase 4 — Scope Reconciliation & Supplements (Day 15–45)

AC INC Roofing reviews the adjuster's initial scope line-by-line against what we documented. Common supplement items: ice & water shield required by current code, steep-charge labor on pitches above 7:12, drip edge required by 2021 IRC R905.2, ridge / hip cap upgrade, overhead & profit for projects with three or more trades involved, manufacturer-required ventilation upgrades, code-required Class 4 or 150 MPH wind ratings in specific jurisdictions. We submit a formal supplement package with photos, line-item variance matrix, and statute / code citations. Properly documented supplements approve at high rates — industry data shows 90%+ approval on compliant submissions.

Phase 5 — Approval & First Payment (Day 30–75)

The carrier issues an updated scope and an Actual Cash Value (ACV) check — that's the depreciated current value of the damaged roof, minus your deductible. The carrier withholds the depreciation portion (the difference between ACV and full Replacement Cost Value) until the work is complete. Most carriers issue the ACV check within 30 days of approving the supplement.

• ACV check is what you've been paid so far
• Recoverable Depreciation (RCV − ACV) is held back until install is complete
• You owe your deductible out of pocket — it's not part of the carrier payment
• Mortgage company may need to endorse the check if loan balance is above ~$10,000

Phase 6 — Build (Day 60–120)

We schedule the install, pull the permit, order materials, and complete the roof typically in 1–3 days for residential. Mid-roof inspection coordination handled where required (Castle Rock, Thornton, Centennial, Boulder, Englewood, Highlands Ranch, and Arapahoe / Jefferson Counties). Final municipal inspection scheduled the day after dry-in is complete.

Phase 7 — Closeout & Depreciation Release (Day 90–180+)

After final inspection signoff, we submit the Certificate of Completion to the carrier with permit closeout, photos, and material invoices. The carrier releases the held-back depreciation (RCV − ACV) within 30 days. Total claim is closed; the carrier mails you a closing letter; warranty registration is filed with the manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a contractor pay or "eat" my deductible?

No. Colorado SB38 (C.R.S. 6-22-105) makes it illegal for a roofing contractor to pay, rebate, waive, or absorb your insurance deductible on a roof project funded by an insurance claim. Any contractor who offers this is breaking state law and exposing you to insurance fraud allegations. The deductible is your portion — plan for it.

How long does the whole process take?

For a typical Front Range single-family hail claim with a clean storm event and reasonable carrier: 60–90 days from FNOL to final depreciation release. Complicated claims (multiple supplements, denied scope appeals, mortgage-endorsement delays) can stretch to 120–180 days.

What if my claim is denied?

You have several next-step options: request a re-inspection with a different adjuster, hire a public adjuster (separate from your contractor), or file a complaint with the Colorado Division of Insurance. Carriers are required by statute to provide a written reason for denial with citation to the specific policy language. AC INC Roofing has helped homeowners overturn denials with photo-supported documentation packages — but no guarantees, and we won't pretend the carrier's decision is reversible if the damage doesn't support it.

Why did my second-roofer estimate come in higher than the carrier's scope?

Almost always because the carrier's initial scope is incomplete — they wrote a baseline scope that doesn't include code upgrades, accessories, or ancillary trades. That's exactly what the supplement phase exists for. The right answer isn't to find a roofer who'll do it cheap; it's to supplement properly so the carrier pays for the actual scope.

Can I be reimbursed for emergency tarping?

Most homeowners policies cover reasonable emergency mitigation (tarping, water removal, temporary boarding) under "loss mitigation" or "additional living expenses" provisions. Save the invoice and submit it as part of your claim package.