What to Do After a Colorado Hail Storm

The First 24 Hours: Safety and Documentation

In the first day after a hailstorm, two things matter: staying safe and capturing evidence while it is fresh. Do not climb onto a wet or hail-battered roof - the surface is slick and the deck may have soft spots. Most of what an adjuster needs can be documented from the ground, from a window, or with a phone camera. The sooner you record the damage, the tighter the link between your claim and the verified storm date.

The 30-Day Timeline: What Happens When

Most Colorado hail claims follow a predictable arc. In the first week you inspect, document, and file. Within a couple of weeks the adjuster inspects and the insurer issues an initial scope and settlement. If that scope misses damage your contractor documented, a supplement is filed. Once the scope is agreed, the work is scheduled - asphalt replacement typically takes one to two days, and stone-coated steel three to five because it is installed shingle-by-shingle on a batten system. Recoverable depreciation is released after the work is invoiced.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Signing an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) you do not understand. It can hand your claim rights to a contractor. Read anything before you sign it.
• Accepting the first lowball offer. Initial scopes often miss flashing, valleys, and accessory damage. A documented supplement is normal on legitimate claims.
• Hiring a storm chaser. Out-of-town crews that appear the day after a storm, knock doors, and pressure you to sign are gone when a warranty issue surfaces two years later.
• Waiting too long. The longer you delay, the easier it is for an adjuster to attribute damage to wear and tear instead of the storm.

How to Spot a Storm Chaser vs a Local Contractor

A local contractor has a permanent address, a Colorado track record, and a name you can find long after the job. Storm chasers follow hail from state to state, work out of a truck, and often subcontract the labor. Lianro is a local, established company with an in-house crew and metal fabrication shop, 45+ years of roofing on the Front Range, and a 10-year workmanship warranty we are here to honor.

Why a Class 4 Upgrade Pays for Itself

If you are already replacing the roof through a claim, it is the cheapest moment you will ever have to upgrade to a Class 4 impact-rated system. Stone-coated steel from DECRA or Boral Steel, and IKO Dynasty asphalt with ArmourZone, all carry the UL 2218 Class 4 rating, and most major Colorado insurers offer a recurring premium discount for it. The next hailstorm is also far less likely to produce a claimable loss, which protects your insurability.