What to Do in the First 48 Hours After Hail Damage.
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What to Do in the First 48 Hours After Hail Damage in Denver
From the Moment the Storm Ends to the Day You File Your Claim
Knowing what to do in the first 48 hours after hail damage is what separates a fully paid insurance claim from one that gets underpaid or denied. Most Denver homeowners do not know what to do first, who to call, or what mistakes will cost them money before the claim is even filed. This guide covers every step in the order you need to take it.
Why the First 48 Hours After Hail Are the Most Critical Window
Denver gets hit by hail every spring and summer. What most homeowners do not realize is that the clock on their insurance claim starts the moment the storm ends - not when they finally get around to making calls. Colorado homeowners insurance policies typically require you to file within 12 months of the storm date. Some require six months. But the real damage to a claim happens in the first 48 hours when documentation is incomplete, adjusters visit before a contractor has assessed the roof, or homeowners unknowingly make mistakes that give insurance companies grounds to reduce or deny the payout.
The first 48 hours are also when fly-by-night contractors flood Denver neighborhoods knocking on doors and pressuring homeowners to sign contracts before a claim is even filed. Signing with a contractor before your claim is processed can lock you into their pricing and their scope - not what your insurance company actually owes you.
Ernie's Roofing has been handling Denver hail damage claims since 1978. The steps below reflect nearly fifty years of understanding what protects a homeowner's claim and what destroys it before it gets started.
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Hours 0 to 24: What to Do the Moment the Storm Ends
The actions you take in the first 24 hours set the foundation for everything that follows. Do these in order and do not skip steps.
- Call Ernie's Roofing first at 720 346 ROOF. Do not call your insurance company before a contractor has documented your damage. We come out within 24 to 48 hours, photograph every impact point, measure hail strike density, and produce a written damage report you own a copy of. That report is what protects your claim when the adjuster shows up.
- Stay completely off the roof. Wet or hail-damaged shingles are a serious slip hazard. Hail impact assessment requires training and up-close inspection. Leave roof access to Ernie's.
- Document exterior damage from the ground. Walk the perimeter of your home and photograph everything visible from ground level. Dented gutters, damaged AC units, dented window screens, and damaged siding are soft metal indicators that document hail size and intensity for your insurance file. Date and time stamp every photo.
- Check your attic for active leaks. Go into your attic and look for water stains, dripping, or wet insulation. Place buckets under any active drips. Photograph every sign of interior water intrusion before it dries.
- Do not call your insurance agent yet. Your agent manages your policy but does not process claims. We help you prepare your claim package before you make that call so nothing is missed.
- Write down the storm date and exact time. Your insurance claim is tied to a specific storm event. Confirm the exact date and time from a local weather report and keep that documentation in your file.
- Locate your homeowners insurance policy declarations page. Find your wind and hail deductible before you call your insurance company. Most Colorado policies carry a wind and hail deductible of one to two percent of your home's insured value.
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Hours 24 to 48: Filing the Claim and Protecting Your Payout
Once Ernie's Roofing has documented your damage and you have your policy information in hand, you are ready to file. These steps happen in the second 24 hour window.
- Confirm Ernie's inspection is scheduled. If you have not already called us, do it now before filing. Once your claim is open, your insurance company will assign an adjuster who may arrive within days. Having our written damage report before that adjuster visit is critical.
- Call your insurance claims department directly. Not your agent. Not the general customer service line. This opens your claim number and starts the adjuster assignment process. Your insurer typically assigns an adjuster within three to five business days.
- Write down your claim number and adjuster name immediately. You will need these for every conversation going forward. Keep the claim number on your phone and written somewhere safe.
- Do not sign any contractor contract until your claim is filed. Storm chasers who show up at your door want you to sign before your claim is processed. Ernie's Roofing never asks you to sign before your claim is filed and your scope of loss is reviewed.
- Schedule your adjuster inspection and call us immediately with the date and time. We attend every adjuster inspection with our clients. Our presence at that inspection regularly results in higher initial settlements.
- Photograph any temporary damage worsening. If rain is forecast and your roof has active gaps, document your roof condition before and after any tarp installation. Emergency tarping costs are typically covered under your policy.
- Forward your scope of loss to Ernie's Roofing the moment it arrives. Do not sign anything until we review it line by line against our inspection report. Low initial scopes are extremely common after major Denver hail events.
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Hail Hit Your Denver Roof? Call Us Before You Call Your Insurance Company.
Ernie's Roofing documents your damage, prepares your claim package, attends your adjuster inspection, and reviews your scope of loss before you sign anything. We have been doing this in Denver since 1978. Your deductible is your only out-of-pocket cost on a properly documented claim.
First 48 Hours After Hail Damage: Quick Reference Checklist
Every item on this list should be completed in the first 48 hours after hail hits your Denver home. Use it to make sure nothing gets missed before your adjuster arrives.
Call Ernie's First
720 346 ROOF. Before your insurance company. Before signing anything. We document damage correctly so your claim starts on solid ground.
Stay Off the Roof
Hail-damaged shingles are a slip hazard. Hail impact assessment requires close-up trained inspection. Do not climb on the roof before we arrive.
Document From the Ground
Photograph gutters, AC units, window screens, and siding. Dented soft metals document hail size. Date and time stamp every photo.
Check Your Attic
Look for water stains, dripping, or wet insulation. Photograph everything before it dries. Active leak documentation is critical for your claim file.
Find Your Declarations Page
Locate your wind and hail deductible before calling your insurer. Most Colorado policies carry a 1 to 2 percent deductible on your home's insured value.
Confirm Storm Date
Your claim is tied to a specific storm event. Confirm the exact date and time from a local weather report and keep that documentation in your file.
Call Claims Department
Call your insurance claims department directly - not your agent. This opens your claim number and starts the adjuster assignment process immediately.
Write Down Claim Number
Your claim number and adjuster name are needed for every conversation from this point forward. Keep both on your phone and written somewhere accessible.
Do Not Sign Anything Yet
Do not sign a contractor contract until your claim is filed and your scope of loss is reviewed. Signing early locks you in before insurance determines what they owe.
Schedule Adjuster and Call Us
When your insurance company schedules the adjuster inspection, call Ernie's immediately with the date and time. Never face that inspection alone.
Document Any Tarping
If emergency tarping is needed to prevent further water intrusion, photograph before and after. Emergency protective measures are typically covered under your policy.
Forward Scope of Loss to Us
When your scope of loss arrives from your insurer, send it to Ernie's before signing. Low initial scopes are common after major Denver hail events and we push back hard.
What Protects Your Claim vs What Destroys It
The difference between a fully paid claim and a denied claim often comes down to decisions made in the first 48 hours. Here is what separates homeowners who get paid from homeowners who do not.
What Protects Your Claim
Call a contractor first before calling insurance. Get a written damage report with photos before the adjuster visits. Attend the adjuster inspection with your contractor on site. Review the scope of loss line by line before signing. Know your deductible before the claim call.
What Destroys Your Claim
Calling insurance before documenting damage. Signing a contractor contract before the claim is filed. Facing the adjuster inspection alone. Accepting the first scope of loss without review. Waiting more than 90 days to file. Letting the adjuster access the roof without someone there to point out every impact point.
Questions to Ask Any Contractor
Will you attend my adjuster inspection? Do you provide a written damage report before I call insurance? Will you review my scope of loss before I sign? Have you worked with my insurance carrier before? Are you local to Denver or a storm chaser? How long have you been doing hail damage claims in Colorado?
Three Mistakes That Kill Claims
Waiting more than 90 days to document. Signing with a contractor before the claim is filed. Facing the adjuster inspection alone. All three happen in the first 48 hours and all three cost Denver homeowners thousands of dollars in lost claim value every hail season.
How Ernie's Roofing Handles Your First 48 Hours in Denver
Ernie's Roofing has been handling Denver hail damage claims since 1978. When you call us after a hail event, here is exactly what happens from the moment we pick up to the day your claim is filed.
- Same day or next morning response. We dispatch within 24 to 48 hours of your call. We do not put you on a waiting list or schedule you two weeks out.
- Full roof inspection with photo documentation. We get on the roof and photograph every impact point, measure hail strike density, check all penetrations, evaluate flashing, and assess the deck. You get a copy of every photo and our written findings.
- Soft metal and exterior assessment. We photograph gutters, downspouts, AC units, and any other soft metal on the property that documents hail size and intensity for your insurance file.
- Attic inspection where accessible. We access the attic to evaluate ventilation, moisture intrusion, and any signs of active water entry from the hail event.
- Written damage report delivered. We produce a complete written damage report before you call your insurance company. That report goes into your claim file and gives the adjuster a baseline they have to respond to.
- Claim filing guidance. We walk you through the claims department call, help you prepare your claim package, and make sure nothing is left out of the initial filing.
- Adjuster inspection attendance. We show up at your adjuster inspection and walk the roof with them. This single step is often what separates a full payout from an underpaid claim.
- Scope of loss review. Once your insurance company issues their scope of loss, we review it line by line and submit supplements for anything they missed - before you sign anything.
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Get Ernie's On Your Roof Before Your Adjuster Shows Up
Ernie's Roofing documents your hail damage, prepares your claim package, and attends your adjuster inspection. Free inspection. Written findings. No pressure to sign. Just the truth about your roof from a Denver contractor with nearly fifty years on Front Range roofs.
Frequently Asked Questions: First 48 Hours After Hail Damage Denver
Should I call my insurance agent or the claims department first?
Call the claims department directly, not your agent. Your agent manages your policy but does not open or process claims. The claims department opens your claim file, assigns an adjuster, and starts the clock on your payout timeline. Ask Ernie's to help you prepare before you make that call.
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim in Colorado?
Most Colorado homeowners insurance policies allow 12 months from the storm date. Some allow only six months. Missing the deadline results in automatic denial regardless of how much damage exists. Check your declarations page or have Ernie's review your policy with you.
What if a storm chaser contractor shows up at my door?
Do not sign anything. Storm chasers flood Denver neighborhoods after every major hail event. Their goal is to get a signed contract before your claim is processed. Once you sign, you are locked into their scope and pricing. Call Ernie's Roofing at 720 346 ROOF. We have been in Denver since 1978 and we are not going anywhere after the storm passes.
Does filing a hail claim raise my insurance rates in Colorado?
Hail is a weather event, not an at-fault claim. Colorado insurers generally cannot raise your rates or cancel your policy solely because you filed a weather-related claim. Do not let rate concerns stop you from filing a legitimate claim.
What is the difference between ACV and RCV on my hail claim?
ACV is actual cash value - the first check your insurance sends after accounting for depreciation. RCV is replacement cost value - the full amount owed once installation is complete and you submit proof of completion. The depreciation holdback is released with the second check after Ernie's submits your certificate of completion.
What soft metal damage should I photograph after hail?
Gutters, downspouts, AC condenser fins, window screens, aluminum fascia, metal window trim, and garage door panels. Soft metal denting is one of the clearest indicators of hail size and intensity used by both contractors and adjusters.
Can I tarp my own roof after hail damage?
Only if you can do it safely without getting on a damaged wet roof. Document the roof condition before and after the tarp goes on. Call 720 346 ROOF for emergency tarping - we respond fast and can stabilize the roof while the full claim process gets underway.
What happens if the adjuster says my roof has no hail damage?
This happens after large Denver hail events when adjusters are moving fast. If the adjuster's findings conflict with our documented inspection, we prepare a written supplement and submit it with additional evidence. In unresolved disputes, you have the right to request a re-inspection or invoke your policy's appraisal clause.
How long does the full hail damage claim process take in Denver?
A straightforward claim with no disputes runs six to eight weeks from filing to final payout. Supplement negotiations can add two to four weeks. Mortgage lender check endorsements add one to two weeks. Ernie's keeps your claim moving so it does not sit in someone's inbox.
How do I schedule a free inspection with Ernie's Roofing after hail?
Call 720 346 ROOF or use the button on this page. We respond within 24 to 48 hours, inspect every component of your roof, deliver written findings with photos, and help you prepare your claim package before you call your insurance company. No pressure. No obligation. Since 1978.
Your First 48 Hours Start With One Call
Ernie's Roofing has been protecting Denver homeowners through the hail damage claim process since 1978. Call us before you call your insurance company. We document your damage, prepare your claim, attend your adjuster inspection, and review your scope of loss before you sign anything. Your deductible is your only cost on a properly handled claim.
Protection starts at the top of the home.
Roof leaks in Denver often begin long before water appears inside. Discover the real causes of delayed roof leaks and when Denver homes need inspection. Since 1978
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