Quick answer: If your area was hit by hail this summer, get a free inspection now instead of waiting for spring. Hail bruises shingles and cracks seals in ways you cannot see from the ground, and winter freeze-thaw cycles turn that damage into leaks. Most homeowner policies also require prompt notice of a loss, so check your policy’s reporting terms and do not let months go by.
Why Hail Damage Hides
A hail hit can knock granules loose, crack the shingle mat, or break the seal strip without leaving a hole. From the ground, the roof looks fine. On the roof, an inspector looks for bruises, exposed mat, dented vents and soft metals, and damaged gutters and siding. Front Range storms this year, including the June 24 and August 13 events, damaged roofs across our service area.
What Winter Does to a Damaged Roof
Water gets into cracked or unsealed shingles, freezes and expands, and opens the damage further. Snow sitting on the roof for days gives it time to work in. A roof that survived the summer storm can start leaking in January.
Insurance Timing
- Most homeowner policies require you to give prompt notice of a loss. Read your policy’s reporting terms.
- Delays make it harder to show the damage came from a specific storm.
- In Colorado, homeowners generally have three years to file a breach-of-contract lawsuit over a claim, and a policy cannot shorten that period for homeowners. That is a lawsuit deadline, not a reason to wait on filing the claim.
- Colorado law does not allow a roofing contractor to pay or waive your deductible.
Get the Inspection Before the Claim
We use the JBC Contractor-First Inspection: we inspect, photograph and measure the damage before you call your insurance company, so you know whether a claim is worth filing. Read more in why to call a contractor before your insurance company.
When a roof needs replacing, we install Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, Owens Corning Duration STORM or better, with all new metals and flashing. See our hail damage roofing contractors page and our guide to hiring a roofing contractor in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it too late to check my roof for summer hail damage?
No, but do not wait. Get an inspection now and check your policy’s notice requirements.
Can hail damage cause leaks months later?
Yes. Cracked or unsealed shingles let water in, and freeze-thaw cycles widen the damage over winter.
Can a roofer pay my deductible in Colorado?
No. Colorado law prohibits roofing contractors from paying, waiving or rebating your deductible.
How long do I have to sue my insurer over a claim in Colorado?
Homeowners generally have three years for a breach-of-contract lawsuit, and policies cannot shorten that for homeowners. Talk to an attorney about your specific situation.
Get a Free Hail Inspection Before Winter
Josh Brooks Construction and Renovation Inc. is a licensed general contractor in Longmont with 30 years in construction, serving 46+ Front Range cities. We inspect, document and explain what we find before you call your insurer. Call 720-828-7997 or text 720-453-5095.
Licensed. Local. Not a storm chaser.
Sources
Colorado hail & insurance: by the numbers (2026)
- Colorado ranks #2 in the U.S. for hail insurance claims, behind only Texas.
- The Front Range sits in “Hail Alley,” the highest frequency of large hail in North America — about 7–9 hail days a year.
- A Colorado state analysis (Feb 2026) found hail is 26–54% of the homeowners premium depending on county — roughly 50% along the Front Range.
- The average Colorado premium hit about $6,630 in 2026, up ~100.8% since 2020 — the largest increase of any state.
- Colorado typically sees 3–4 catastrophic hailstorms a year (each ≥ $25M in insured damage); severe season runs mid-April to mid-September.
Sources: Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (RMIIA); Colorado Division of Insurance (Feb 2026); National Weather Service; NAIC / Insurify (2026).
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